cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infraslow LFP correlates to resting-state fMRI BOLD signals

The slow fluctuations of the blood-oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signal in resting-state fMRI are widely utilized as a surrogate marker of ongoing neural activity. Spontaneous neural activity includes a broad range of frequencies, from infraslow (< 0.5 Hz) fluctuations to fast action potentials. Recent studies have demonstrated a correlative relationship between the BOLD fluctuations and power modulations of the local field potential (LFP), particularly in the gamma band. However, the relationship between the BOLD signal and the infraslow components of the LFP, which are directly comparable in frequency to the BOLD fluctuations, has not been directly investigated. Here we report a first examination of the temporal relation between the resting-state BOLD signal and infraslow LFPs using simultaneous fMRI and full-band LFP recording in rat. The spontaneous BOLD signal at the recording sites exhibited significant localized correlation with the infraslow LFP signals as well as with the slow power modulations of higher-frequency LFPs (1–100 Hz) at a delay comparable to the hemodynamic response time under anesthesia. Infraslow electrical activity has been postulated to play a role in attentional processes, and the findings reported here suggest that infraslow LFP coordination may share a mechanism with the large-scale BOLD-based networks previously implicated in task performance, providing new insight into the mechanisms contributing to the resting state fMRI signal.
Aberrant macrophage and neutrophil population dynamics and impaired Th1 response to Listeria monocytogenes in colony-stimulating factor 1-deficient mice.

Listeria monocytogenes, a facultative intracellular bacterium, has been used extensively to study innate immune responses. Macrophages act as hosts for this bacterium as well as a major defense against it. Using mice homozygous for a null mutation (Csf1op) in the gene for the mononuclear phagocytic growth factor colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), we have demonstrated that CSF-1-regulated macrophages were essential to defend against a listerial infection. In the absence of CSF-1, monocytes were not recruited to the sites of infection due to the lack of synthesis of the macrophage chemoattractant chemokine MCP-1. In addition, there was no burst of interleukin-10 (IL-10) synthesis that has been shown to result in the egress of neutrophils from sites of infection. Consequently, neutrophils were not replaced by macrophages, and numerous neutrophil-filled microabscesses developed, followed by tissue destruction and death of the mice. In the CSF-1 nullizygous mice compared to wild-type mice, there was also a very low synthesis of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), resulting in reduced macrophage activation. However, the concentrations of the IFN-γ-inducing cytokines IL-12 and IL-18 at this bacterial load were similar in these mutant mice. In contrast, IL-6 concentrations were dramatically reduced. Administration of IL-6 to Csf1op/Csf1op mice significantly increased the synthesis of IFN-γ and reduced the bacterial burden to a greater extent than treatment with IFN-γ alone. These data indicate that IL-6 occupies a central role in the CSF-1-regulated macrophage response to L. monocytogenes.
Evaluation of Hairy Nightshade as an Inoculum Source for Aphid-Mediated Transmission of Potato Leafroll Virus

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) causes one of the most serious aphid-transmitted diseases affecting yield and quality of potatoes, Solanum tuberosum (L.), grown in the United States. The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is considered to be by far the most efficient vector of this virus. Even the most strict aphid control strategy may not prevent the spread of PLRV unless measures also are taken to keep virus source plants within and outside the crop at a minimum. Hairy nightshade, Solanum sarrachoides (Sendtner), is one of the preferred weed hosts for green peach aphid. The potential of this weed as an aphid reservoir and virus source and its spread or perpetuation were investigated. With the use of double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, it was confirmed that green peach aphid can transmit PLRV to hairy nightshade and that aphids can become viruliferous after feeding on infected hairy nightshade plants. Transmission from hairy nightshade to potato is 4 times the rate of potato to potato or potato to hairy nightshade. The green peach aphid preferred hairy nightshade over potato plants and reproduced at a higher rate on hairy nightshade than on potato. Therefore, a low level of PLRV–hairy nightshade infection could enhance the disease spread in the field.
The Genitive-Accusative of the Personal Pronouns in Old Church Slavonic

In those Slavic languages that retain both a case system and clitic pronominal forms two case-related phenomena partially overlap: (1) Masculine animate nouns and gendered pronouns display differential object marking with sensitivity to the animacy hierarchy. Some subset of these forms with the highest score on the animacy hierarchy show the original genitive form instead of the expected accusative in contexts that otherwise call for that case, the so-called genitive-accusative. (2) Personal pronouns also show instances of the genitive for the accusative but with important differences. In languages with a clitic~stressed contrast for oblique pronominals the accusative forms generally are continued as clitics and the genitive forms as stressed. It is unlikely that the nominal and personal-pronominal gen.-acc. are unrelated. On the other hand, the case choice for nouns and gendered pronouns is sensitive to the animacy hierarchy, but for the personal pronouns the choice between genitive and accusative is phono-semantic. Whatever semantic structure evokes the stressed forms leads to the production of the gen.-acc. I suggest that gen.-acc. began with o-stem masculine personal names, the most prototypical expression of the semantic class [+human, +male, +free, +definite] and was extended to the interrogative pronoun (gen.-acc. kogo). The interrogative pronoun had just those properties that allowed the remapping of an animacy hierarchy into a tonicity distinction.
Mitochondrial Activity as a Biomarker of Gamete and Embryo Health

The notion that noninvasive metabolic or bioenergetic measurements of human oocytes and preimplantation embryos can indicate the status of mitochondrial health as related to function, and that the state of mitochondrial function is a biomarker of developmental competence, is an appealing one from a clinical perspective in in vitro fertilization (IVF). In practice however, what mitochondrial activities may be the most relevant competence markers, and whether they can be assessed directly without inducing developmental toxicity, are essential issues that need to be addressed and answered by experimentation. In the same respect, while it is largely assumed that mitochondria have a central role in multiple aspects of cell function in the oocyte and early embryo, and that their normal activity at these stages is a direct determinant of developmental health, certain fundamental aspects of their biology in the mature human oocyte remain to be defined. These aspects need to be understood more completely if mitochondria are to be considered and studied as a biomarker of competence for the human oocyte and early embryo. For example, values for mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial DNA copy number that can be universally considered normal for the MII human oocyte need to be established, and noninvasive methods that can estimate these values in living oocytes developed. While not easy tasks, the clinical IVF field is a robust one with many talented individuals up to the challenge.
Binaural enhancement for bilateral cochlear implant users.

OBJECTIVES Bilateral cochlear implant (BCI) users receive limited binaural cues and, thus, show little improvement to speech intelligibility from spatial cues. The feasibility of a method for enhancing the binaural cues available to BCI users is investigated. This involved extending interaural differences of levels, which typically are restricted to high frequencies, into the low-frequency region. DESIGN Speech intelligibility was measured in BCI users listening over headphones and with direct stimulation, with a target talker presented to one side of the head in the presence of a masker talker on the other side. Spatial separation was achieved by applying either naturally occurring binaural cues or enhanced cues. RESULTS In this listening configuration, BCI patients showed greater speech intelligibility with the enhanced binaural cues than with naturally occurring binaural cues. CONCLUSIONS In some situations, it is possible for BCI users to achieve greater speech intelligibility when binaural cues are enhanced by applying interaural differences of levels in the low-frequency region.
Copulas, Characterization, Correlation, and Counterexamples

1. Copulas Copulas are functions that join univariate distribution functions to form multivariate distribution functions. They were first introduced in 1959 by A. Sklar [10] to answer some questions posed by M. Frechet concerning the relationship between a multidimensional probability distribution function and its lower dimensional marginals. Over the past 30 years or so, copulas have played an important role in several areas of probability and statistics, including multivariate distribution theory, nonparametric statistics, and Markov processes; but only recently have they come to the attention of the general statistical and mathematical communities. In this paper, we will survey some of the important properties of copulas, and demonstrate ways in which copulas can be employed in probability and mathematical statistics courses to enhance and illuminate the presentation of a number of topics. Specifically, we will show how copulas can be used in statistics i) to characterize some dependence concepts for two random variables; ii) to obtain a geometric interpretation of the population version of a nonparametric correlation coefficient, and to illustrate how that coefficient measures dependence; and iii) to facilitate the generation of counterexamples.
Microcollection of gases in a capillary tube: preservation of spatial and temporal resolution.

Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have recently developed and reported a novel air collection device for measuring vertical profiles of trace gases in the atmosphere, which has been applied to carbon dioxide and methane so far. The device consists of a long stainless steel tube that is prefilled with calibrated gas and allowed to ascend on a weather balloon. During ascent, the device is evacuated as it equilibrates with the decreasing atmospheric pressure. During descent, the tube is filled with atmospheric gas in an ordered manner. The diffusion rate inside the tube is slow enough that the collected gas remains ordered. Here is reported a miniaturization of the device described above, in which the stainless steel tube is replaced with Hydroguard fused silica tubing (0.53 mm × 30 m) and two lightweight valves having a total mass of less than 28 g. This micro-AirCore device was deployed on the SwRI-developed unmanned SkyWisp glider. Profiling of carbon dioxide in the...
The Baseball-Card Collector's Query

The following relates my attempt to solve a problem that was asked of a colleague by a baseball-card collector. In attempting to solve this problem, I used a number of techniques from undergraduate mathematics, including series, the exponential function, Newton's method, probability, statistics, simulation, and discrete dynamical systems. I was also reminded about the importance of carefully stating the problem. Suppose that there exist baseball cards for n different baseball players. Assume for simplicity that each card is equally likely to be acquired each time a new card is purchased. One copy of each different card in a collection is put into the "original" pile. All duplicates, triplicates, etc. are put into the "duplicate" pile. The cost for obtaining the first "original" card is just the cost of that card. Once the collector has acquired a large number of "original" cards, the expected cost for obtaining one more "original" card will be relatively large, since most cards acquired will be duplicates. There are many questions that could be asked relating to the cost of a collection of baseball cards. In this section, we will investigate one particular question, the baseball-card collector's question (BCQ):
Effect of load frequency regulating on generation cost

In order to study the influence on the generation cost caused by the load frequency regulation in power system,an OPF model combining the load effect of frequency and voltage regulation has been established in this paper.In the model,the load effect of frequency and voltage regulation would be considered in the equality constraint,and the voltage magnitudes and the system frequency would be considered in the inequality constraint.The optimization model was solved by using the nonlinear primal-dual interior point algorithm,which is with high robustness and convergence.Simulation analysis results show that the load frequency regulation has important influence on the generation cost.
Visual-motor functional connectivity in preschool children emerges after handwriting experience

Abstract Handwriting letters has been shown to increase Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signal during letter perception in visual and motor brain regions relative to other types of training in preschool children. However, co-activation in these regions speaks neither to the presence of functional connections between them nor to the experiences by which such connections might be established. We investigated functional connectivity by applying generalized psychophysiological interactions analysis to BOLD data obtained from 4 to 6 year-old children after learning symbols through handwriting, tracing, or typing. Functional connections between (1) visual and parietal regions increased after all training conditions, (2) visual and ventral frontal regions increased after handwriting training with letters more than shapes, and (3) visual and dorsal frontal motor regions increased more after handwriting than typing letters. We conclude that visual-motor training creates functional connections among visual and motor brain regions that reflect different aspects of the handwriting experience.
Management of Bleeding from the Bile Duct

Hemobilia, bleeding originating from the biliary tract or gallbladder, is an uncommonly encountered clinical entity that is most frequently the result of accidental or iatrogenic trauma. Other causes include gallstones, inflammation, vascular disorders, and neoplasms. Manifestations of hemobilia range from minor morbidity to life-threatening hemorrhage, and diagnostic workup by direct or radiographic visualization depends on the presentation. Hemodynamically stable patients can undergo conservative management, and for those patients requiring intervention, angiographic approaches have become the mainstay. Surgical intervention is required if nonoperative measures fail. Clinical suspicion is an important element of diagnosis and subsequent management of hemobilia.
In Her Own Words: Semi-structured Interviews of Women Veterans Who Experienced Military Sexual Assault

Twenty-one female veterans volunteered to talk about 29 events of military sexual assault (MSA) via semi-structured interviews covering pre-military abuse, during and immediately after the assault and reactions post-assault. The 14 who reported on-going abuse in childhood, also experienced multiple events of MSA. Common themes revealed that most events happened at night (52% specifically referenced night, while 69% most likely occurred at night), 24% in a car, and 24% while the victim was on duty. MSA was associated with a low use of weapons (17% with knives or guns) but a high use (52%) of physical violence (e.g., hitting, choking) and intimidation (59%). 69% knew their perpetrator prior to the assault and 12 of them (60%) were superiors. 34.5% of the perpetrators and 24% of the victims were drinking alcohol prior to the assault. 27.5% reported the MSA; however, 52% had to continue to interact with the perpetrator as part of her job. 67% reported being pregnant or seriously injured as a result of the MSA; however, only 28% received help. 71% disclosed that they had suicidal ideation 14% made suicide attempts while on active duty, and 38% made a suicide attempt some time in their lifetime post-MSA. 52% said the MSA lead to an early discharge from the military. 76% stated MSA interfered with their ability to have an intimate relationship. All participants graduated Warrior Renew sexual trauma treatment and reported positive responses. Although this is a small sample, findings may help generate hypotheses for larger scale studies.
Collisional Intermolecular Energy Transfer from a N2 Bath at Room Temperature to a Vibrationlly "Cold" C6F6 Molecule Using Chemical Dynamics Simulations.

Chemical dynamics simulations were performed to study collisional intermolecular energy transfer from a thermalized N2 bath at 300 K to vibrationally “cold” C6F6. The vibrational temperature of C6F6 is taken as 50 K, which corresponds to a classical vibrational energy of 2.98 kcal/mol. The temperature ratio between C6F6 and the bath is 1/6, the reciprocal of the same ratio for previous “hot” C6F6 simulations (J. Chem. Phys. 2014, 140, 194103). Simulations were also done for a C6F6 vibrational temperature of 0 K. The average energy of C6F6 versus time is well fit by a biexponential function which gives a slightly larger short time rate component, k1, but a four times smaller long time rate component, k2, compared to those obtained from the “hot” C6F6 simulations. The average energy transferred per collision depends on the difference between the average energy of C6F6 and the final C6F6 energy after equilibration with the bath, but not on the temperature ratio of C6F6 and the bath. The translational and rot...
Bulldozer: demolition and clearance of the postwar landscape

One can forgive an urban historian for feeling, at times, that the creation of the post-war urban and suburban landscape in the United States has been well picked, or more aptly for the book under ...
HOLOTHETICITY OF A TECHNOLOGY

This chapter discusses holotheticity of a technology. Many economists have attempted to study technical progress and production functions to ascertain the impact of technological changes under different assumptions on economic variables, such as prices of factor inputs, their distributive shares, and factor requirements and the degree of scale effects. Several new concepts have been introduced, such as homothetic production functions, neutrality of inventions, and optimal returns to scale. The chapter explains that economies of scale are potentially of the same order of magnitude as technical progress. Economies of scale can manifest themselves in many ways. They may generate a homogeneous but nonlinear production function with constant-scale elasticity. They may underlie a homothetic production function with variable-scale elasticity, or they may even generate a nonhomothetic production function.
Vapor Barrier Properties and Mechanical Behaviors of Composite Hydroxypropyl Methylcelluose/Zein Nanoparticle Films

Composite films of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and zein nanoparticles (ZNP) were prepared to create a biopolymer-based film with reduced vapor permeability and potential for active-packaging applications. Microscopy verified the dispersion of ZNP with diameter of ~100 nm throughout the width and depth of the films, with ZNP forming sub-micrometer clusters of nanoparticles at loaded volume fractions >0.15. Incorporation of non-hygroscopic ZNP increased film-water contact angles to >70 degrees and decreased water vapor permeability of films by ~10–30%. Extensional measurements of films described an increase in tensile strength from 27 kPa to 49 kPA, a decreased capacity to elongate, and an initial increase followed by gradual decrease in Young’s moduli with increasing ZNP fractions. Decreased elasticity was observed within microscale regions of the films at higher ZNP volume fractions using dynamic force spectroscopy, and the trends were strongly correlated with bulk Young’s moduli of the composite films. A mathematical model rationalized the initially increased and subsequently decreased Young’s modulus by the change in ZNP dispersion/clustering combined with a collapse of the interfacial zone surrounding ZNP.
Efficiency of different spatial and temporal strategies for reducing vertebrate pest populations

Abstract Understanding effectiveness of control strategies of pest species is fundamental for planning efficient and cost-effective management programs. In addition to culling rates, there are many potential factors that can determine efficiency of different management strategies, including demographic processes such as immigration rates, birth dynamics, and spatial ecology. We developed a stochastic, data-based simulation model of feral swine population dynamics which accounted for social dynamics in space. We tested the impacts of different spatio-temporal management strategies (i.e., culling rates, timing of culling during the year, spatial pattern of culling and strength of a barrier to immigration) on population response and efficiency. The spatial culling strategy dramatically impacted efficiency of control – using zonation required removal of fewer pigs (up to 46% less) to achieve similar reductions compared with other spatial strategies. Also, our spatially-explicit model predicted that lower culling intensities could be used to achieve population reductions when zonation was applied relative to predictions from harvesting theory based on simple logistic models. As culling intensity increased (≥50% of target population annually) and the target population reached low density (
Fundamentals of Scale Analysis, Heatline Visualization, and the Intersection of Asymptotes

The main objective of this chapter is to review the fundamentals of three simple methods of problem solving and presentation of convection in porous media: scale analysis, heat lines, and the intersection of asymptotes method. Another objective is to draw attention to the growing literature that is devoted to the development and application of these methods, see Bejan et al. [5].
Micro-image mosaicking for video-rate multi-channel fluorescence microendoscopy (Conference Presentation)

Molecular imaging using fluorescence microendoscopy offers promise for the optical biopsy of cancer to inform precision medicine. However, microscopic resolution generally comes with the trade-off of a tiny field of view and tunnel vision. Micro-image mosaicking offers the capability of stitching together larger scenes of the tissue to aid visualization and interpretation. The development of hyperspectral microendoscopes provides motivation for adapting mosaicking algorithms to process a plurality of simultaneous channels. We present an algorithm that mosaics hyperspectral microendoscopic video by correlating channels of consecutive frames as a basis for calculating image alignments. A typical raster path to produce suitable data for mosaicking images the same location several times redundantly in different frames, making this algorithm well-suited for analyzing video-rate data. To complement this data rate, we employ parallel processing via GPUs to alleviate computational bottlenecks and approach video-rate mosaicking speeds. This implementation lays the foundation for real-time multi-channel mosaicking to accompany video-rate hyperspectral microendoscopic probes.
Ultrastable and polyamorphic states of vapor-deposited 2-methyltetrahydrofuran.

This work reports results gained from dielectric spectroscopy on the organic molecular glass-former 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF), which was deposited onto an interdigitated electrode device by physical vapor deposition. By a suitable selection of preparation parameters (deposition temperature, deposition rate, and annealing conditions), various states of MTHF could be created: ultrastable glass, a liquid state with unusual dielectric properties, or the ordinary liquid state as obtained by supercooling. Observations on kinetic stability as well as on the suppression of dielectric loss in the ultrastable state resemble previous findings for other molecular glass-formers. Remarkably, after annealing just above Tg, all vapor-deposited films of MTHF display a static dielectric constant in the liquid state (es) that is up to a factor of two below that of the ordinary bulk liquid. A structural transition to the ordinary liquid-cooled state of MTHF occurs at temperatures far above its conventional Tg, indicative of polyamorphism: the formation of an unusual structure that is achieved by physical vapor deposition and that differs from the ordinary liquid state obtained by supercooling. The present results also reveal that the dielectric constant of the as deposited glass (e∞) is reduced to practically the value of the squared refractive index, n2.
Remote-controlled eradication of astrogliosis in spinal cord injury via electromagnetically-induced dexamethasone release from “smart” nanowires

Abstract We describe a system to deliver drugs to selected tissues continuously, if required, for weeks. Drugs can be released remotely inside the small animals using pre-implanted, novel vertically aligned electromagnetically-sensitive polypyrrole nanowires (PpyNWs). Approximately 1–2 mm 2 dexamethasone (DEX) doped PpyNWs was lifted on a single drop of sterile water by surface tension, and deposited onto a spinal cord lesion in glial fibrillary acidic protein-luc transgenic mice (GFAP-luc mice). Overexpression of GFAP is an indicator of astrogliosis/neuroinflammation in CNS injury. The corticosteroid DEX, a powerful ameliorator of inflammation, was released from the polymer by external application of an electromagnetic field for 2 h/day for a week. The GFAP signal, revealed by bioluminescent imaging in the living animal, was significantly reduced in treated animals. At 1 week, GFAP was at the edge of detection, and in some experimental animals, completely eradicated. We conclude that the administration of drugs can be controlled locally and non-invasively, opening the door to many other known therapies, such as the cases that dexamethasone cannot be safely applied systemically in large concentrations.
CLIMATE SCENARIO CONSTRUCTION FOR MIDWEST ANALYSIS

Our modeling efforts used VEMAP data (and NOAA data for calibration), and the HadCM2 General Circulation Model (GCM) data for two scenarios: one for the greenhouse gas only run, and one for a greenhouse gas and sulfate run. The study area for this analysis is shown in Figure 1, with the approximate location of our representative farm sites shown. These farm locations represent the area for which the modeling was done. Following is a detailed discussion of all the climate data used in this study.
3-D Printed Porous Cellulose Acetate Tissue Scaffolds for Additive Manufacturing

Abstract We have printed microscale 3-dimensional tissue scaffolds using cellulose acetate (CA) for the first time and produced a range of pore sizes ranging from 99 to 608 μm that are potentially favorable for tissue engineering. In the process we have elucidated some of the formulation-fabrication-morphology relationships which enabled advancements in ink development, optimization of fabrication parameters, and morphological control. The challenges for printing very small pores were discussed and improved by adjustment of printing conditions and use of a rheological modifier. We believe this study will increase the knowledge base for additive manufacturing of CA and enable further research into the use of 3D-printed CA for tissue engineering applications. Also, our findings on printing optimization may provide some practical principles and methodologies that are applicable for the ink development using other biomaterials.
Non-occlusive ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction following the administration of liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

What is known and objective Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) is the cornerstone of many serious invasive fungal infections. Despite lower frequencies of commonly reported adverse events in clinical trials compared to conventional formulations, post-marketing complications continue to mount. Case description We present a case of chest pain following the initial dose of L-AmB for cryptococcal meningitis. Electrocardiogram demonstrated no acute electrocardiogram findings. Upon rechallenge, the chest pain worsened was subsequently accompanied by ST-segment elevation. Emergent coronary angiography found no acute findings. What is new and conclusion Providers should be aware of cardiac complications with L-AmB, including non-occlusive ST-segment elevation.
Crystal structure of Alr1298, a pentapeptide repeat protein from the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7120, determined at 2.1 Å resolution.

Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 are filamentous cyanobacteria capable of both oxygenic photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, with the latter taking place in specialized cells known as heterocysts that terminally differentiate from vegetative cells under conditions of nitrogen starvation. Cyanobacteria have existed on earth for more than 2 billion years and are thought to be responsible for oxygenation of the earth's atmosphere. Filamentous cyanobacteria such as Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 may also represent the oldest multicellular organisms on earth that undergo cell differentiation. Pentapeptide repeat proteins (PRPs), which occur most abundantly in cyanobacteria, adopt a right-handed quadrilateral β-helical structure, also referred to as a repeat five residue (Rfr) fold, with four-consecutive pentapeptide repeats constituting a single coil in the β-helical structure. PRPs are predicted to exist in all compartments within cyanobacteria including the thylakoid and cell-wall membranes as well as the cytoplasm and thylakoid periplasmic space. Despite their intriguing structure and importance to understanding ancient cyanobacteria, the biochemical function of PRPs in cyanobacteria remains largely unknown. Here we report the crystal structure of Alr1298, a PRP from Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 predicted to reside in the cytoplasm. The structure displays the typical right-handed quadrilateral β-helical structure and includes a four-α-helix cluster capping the N-terminus and a single α-helix capping the C-terminus. A gene cluster analysis indicated that Alr1298 may belong to an operon linked to cell proliferation and/or thylakoid biogenesis. Elevated alr1298 gene expression following nitrogen starvation indicates that Alr1298 may play a role in response to nitrogen starvation and/or heterocyst differentiation.
Missing the Target.

Missing the Target A 58-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of pelvic pain on the left side, with subsequent development of severe pain in the abdomen, lower ba...
Is less more? The association between hospital volume and low-value breast cancer surgeries.

68Background: Hospital volume is often equated with surgical quality. In breast surgical oncology, higher hospital volume has been associated with higher overall survival rates, but whether it is a...
16S rRNA Gene Diversity of Bacterial Endophytes in Parasitic Cuscuta campestris and Its Helianthus annuus Host.

ABSTRACT Here, we report the results of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of bacterial endophytes from parasitized and unparasitized samples of the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and samples of its associated plant parasite field dodder (Cuscuta campestris), collected from one location in Fresno County, California (August 2017).
Responses of International Central Banks to the COVID-19 Crisis

This article reviews and explains the recent policy reactions of the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, and the Bank of Japan to the financial and macroeconomic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic The financial and monetary policy actions of major central banks in the most recent crisis have, by some metrics, surpassed their responses to the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-09 in both swiftness and scope
Molecular mechanisms underlying nucleotide repeat expansion disorders.

The human genome contains over one million short tandem repeats. Expansion of a subset of these repeat tracts underlies over fifty human disorders, including common genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (C9orf72), polyglutamine-associated ataxias and Huntington disease, myotonic dystrophy, and intellectual disability disorders such as Fragile X syndrome. In this Review, we discuss the four major mechanisms by which expansion of short tandem repeats causes disease: loss of function through transcription repression, RNA-mediated gain of function through gelation and sequestration of RNA-binding proteins, gain of function of canonically translated repeat-harbouring proteins, and repeat-associated non-AUG translation of toxic repeat peptides. Somatic repeat instability amplifies these mechanisms and influences both disease age of onset and tissue specificity of pathogenic features. We focus on the crosstalk between these disease mechanisms, and argue that they often synergize to drive pathogenesis. We also discuss the emerging native functions of repeat elements and how their dynamics might contribute to disease at a larger scale than currently appreciated. Lastly, we propose that lynchpins tying these disease mechanisms and native functions together offer promising therapeutic targets with potential shared applications across this class of human disorders. Expansion of short tandem repeats can impair RNA and protein function and cause diseases through four main mechanisms: transcription repression, RNA gelation and sequestration of RNA-binding proteins, protein gain of function, and repeat-associated non-AUG toxic translation. Synergy between these mechanisms exacerbates disease, but also offers promising therapeutic targets.
Rare incidence of tension pneumocephalus 2 months after repeat microvascular decompression.

Background Tension pneumocephalus is a rare complication after intracranial procedures and craniotomy. We report a rare case of intraventricular and subdural tension pneumocephalus occurring 2 months after repeat right-sided microvascular decompression (MVD) for recurrent trigeminal neuralgia. Case description The patient in this case was a 79-year-old woman who presented with acute-onset confusion, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. On computed tomography, substantial volumes of pneumocephalus in the fourth ventricle and subdural space at the site of the retrosigmoid exposure for the previous MVD were seen. She underwent emergent wound exploration, and no obvious dural defect or exposed mastoid air cells were identified. The dura was reopened, and the surgical site was copiously irrigated. Mastoid air cells were covered with ample amounts of bone wax, and the wound was closed. The patient recovered well postoperatively with complete resolution of the pneumocephalus by her 3-month follow-up evaluation. Conclusion It is important to assess for cerebrospinal fluid leakage and that air cells are sealed off before wound closure to prevent a pathway for air to egress into the surgical cavity and corridor.
Temporal sequences of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among inpatient and community-residing military veterans.

Abstract Background Suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) are major health concerns among military veterans yet little is known about the temporal relations among these outcomes. This study examined the temporal relations between suicidal and nonsuicidal SITBs among higher-risk veterans. Specifically, we identified when SITBs emerged and evaluated the role of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in the medical lethality of suicide attempts (SA), relative risk, and survival time of suicidal SITBs (i.e., suicide ideation [SI], suicide plan, SA). Method Cross-sectional data were collected from two samples examining suicide risk among veterans receiving inpatient psychiatric care (n = 157) and community-residing veterans with current depression and/or past month SI (n = 200). Participants completed an interview to assess SITBs. Results SITBs emerged between ages 14-28 years with behaviors emerging, on average, earlier among inpatient veterans. The time lag between SITBs was not significantly different between groups. Inpatient veterans had a significantly shorter time lag from SI to SA. NSSI history predicted an increase in relative risk for all suicidal SITBs and shorter survival time. There was no association between NSSI history and medical lethality of the most serious SA for both groups. Limitations Limitations included use of cross-sectional, retrospective self-report with age-of-onset endorsed in years and not all SITBs were assessed (e.g., passive SI). Conclusions Veterans with a NSSI history are at high risk for suicidal SITBs and have a shorter survival time. Results showed thoughts (i.e., NSSI thoughts, SI) emerged before behavior (i.e., NSSI, SA) and NSSI emerged before SA.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Sickle Cell Disease: PATIENT SELEction and Timing Based on Sickle Cell-Related Multiple Chronic Conditions:

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only cure for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Although most SCD patients experience progressive end-organ damage and shortened lifespans, not all patients follow the same disease course, tempo, or outcome. Therefore, the dilemma facing physicians is weighing the selection of patients and timing for the procedure against donor type and transplant-related mortality and morbidity that go up with increasing age. On the other hand, the dilemma facing the patients and families is how acceptable HSCT that carries some mortality risks to them. We have analyzed the chronic conditions due to SCD in 449 patients to determine whether SCD-related multiple chronic conditions (MCC) can be risk-stratified to identify the group of patients predicted to not only have shortened lifespans but also functional limitation and poor quality of life so that these at-risk patients can be offered HSCT early and before MCC develops. We identified that the age of onset of the first SCD-related chronic conditions strongly predicted for the risks for disease-related MCC. SCD patients who suffered their first disease-related chronic condition before age 30 years developed MCC at a rate of 19.1 times faster than those at a later age. These patients are therefore high-risk patients and should be offered HSCT early in the course of their disease before multiple organ damage intervenes, even if matched-related donors are not available. This patient selection and timing approach provides a forum for an easy-to-understand and real-time discussion, including the choice of donor type, with SCD patients and families when considering HSCT.
Joyce: a programming language for distributed systems

This paper describes a secure programming language called Joyce based on CSP and Pascal. Joyce permits unbounded (recursive) activation of communicating agents. The agents exchange messages through synchronous channels. A channel can transfer messages of different types between two or more agents. A compiler can check message types and ensure that agents use disjoint sets of variables only. The use of Joyce is illustrated by a variety of examples.
The Incidence of Agricultural Policy

Abstract This chapter first discusses what economists mean by “the incidence of agricultural policy” and why we care about it. Then it reviews models of the determinants of the differential incidence of different policies among interest groups such as suppliers of factors of production, consumers, middlemen, taxpayers, and others. Results are represented in terms of Marshallian economic surplus, and surplus transformation curves. After reviewing the results from standard models under restrictive assumptions, certain assumptions are relaxed in order to analyze the effects of imperfect supply controls, variability, cheating and imperfect enforcement of policies, and the dynamics of supply.
The pseudo-dimension of near-optimal auctions

This paper develops a general approach, rooted in statistical learning theory, to learning an approximately revenue-maximizing auction from data. We introduce t-level auctions to interpolate between simple auctions, such as welfare maximization with reserve prices, and optimal auctions, thereby balancing the competing demands of expressivity and simplicity. We prove that such auctions have small representation error, in the sense that for every product distribution F over bidders' valuations, there exists a t-level auction with small t and expected revenue close to optimal. We show that the set of t-level auctions has modest pseudo-dimension (for polynomial t) and therefore leads to small learning error. One consequence of our results is that, in arbitrary single-parameter settings, one can learn a mechanism with expected revenue arbitrarily close to optimal from a polynomial number of samples.
Characteristics of Interstellar and Circumstellar Dust

This paper reviews our current knowledge of interstellar and circumstellar dust from an observational point of view. It is concluded that interstellar dust is highly heterogenous. It consist of a large number of different materials formed in a great variety of stellar birthsites under varying conditions and each with a highly isotopically anomalous composition in its main elements.
Verification of LRFD approach for piles in sand and mixed soils

Abstract The potential consequences of switching the design and construction of bridge foundations in sand and mixed soil profiles from an interim procedure based on Allowable Stress Design to the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) procedure were examined. Independent data of 451 production steel H-piles driven in sand and 173 production steel H-piles driven in mixed soil profile were used to evaluate the adequacy of the regionally calibrated LRFD procedure and investigate its economic implications. This study concludes that the regional LRFD procedure will increase the plan pile length by 25% for sand and 12% for mixed soil profile as opposed to 86% and 93%, respectively, if the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) procedure had been implemented. Despite the additional cost incurred by switching to the regional LRFD procedure, it satisfies the target reliability index of 2.33 for a redundant pile group and the 1% probability of failure stipulated in the AASHTO LRFD Specifications. Alternatively, it can be stated that the currently used method has a reliability index of 1.7 for sand and 2.00 for mixed soil profile with approximately 30% and 10% more probability of failures, respectively. Although the research and findings presented in this paper are specific to a local area, these methods could be adopted globally to facilitate the implementation of the regional LRFD procedure in bridge foundations.
Conceptual modeling of concurrent systems through stepwise abstraction and refinement using Petri net morphisms

Development of complex concurrent systems is very often performed in a top-down or bottom-up approach depending on design circumstances. Such design reflects vertical conceptual modeling of concurrent systems with certain number of abstraction/ refinement layers. Petri net morphisms have been proven to be useful in this process as long as certain desired structural and behavioral properties of such systems are preserved. We use example of a renting agency to illustrate applicability of morphisms in systematic development of distributed systems. Preservation of structural and behavioral properties of Petri net morphisms is also discussed.
Criss-crossing globalization : uphill flows of skill-intensive goods and foreign direct investment

This paper documents an unusual and possibly significant phenomenon: the export of skills, embodied in goods, services or capital from poorer to richer countries. The authors first present a set of stylized facts. Then, using a measure that combines the sophistication of a countrys exports with the average income level of destination countries, they show that the performance of a number of developing countries - notably China, Mexico and South Africa - matches that of much more advanced countries - such as Japan, Spain and the United States. The authors create a new combined dataset on foreign direct investment (covering greenfield investment as well as mergers and acquisitions). The analysis shows that flows of foreign direct investment to developed countries from developing countries - like Brazil, India, Malaysia and South Africa - as a share of their GDP, are as large as flows from developed countries - like Japan, Korea and the United States. The authors suggest that it is not just the composition of exports but their destination that matters. In both cross-sectional and panel regressions, with a range of controls, a measure of uphill flows of sophisticated goods is significantly associated with better growth performance. These results suggest the need for a deeper analysis of whether the benefits of development might derive not from deifying comparative advantage but from defying it.
Are Incentives Everything? Payment Mechanisms for Health Care Providers in Developing Countries

This paper assesses the extent to which provider payment mechanisms can help developing countries address their leading health care problems. It first identifies four key problems in the health care systems in developing countries: 1) public facilities, which provide the bulk of secondary and tertiary health care services in most countries, offer services of poor quality; 2) providers cannot be enticed to rural and urban marginal areas, leaving large segments of the population without adequate access to health care; 3) the composition of health services offered and consumed is sub-optimal; and 4) coordination in the delivery of care, including referrals, second opinions, and teamwork, is inadequate. The paper examines each problem in turn and assesses the extent to which changes in provider payments might address it.
Total transfer capability considering FACTS and security constraints

This paper presents a discussion of the effects of flexible ac transmission system (FACTS) devices on total transfer capability (TTC). TTC indicates the power transfer capability among different systems or different subsystems. FACTS devices can redistribute load flow and regulate bus voltages. Development and use of methods for proper implementation of FACTS can help improve TTC to a certain extent. TTC is limited not only by the violation of system thermal and voltage limits, but also restricted by transient stability limits. In this paper, an algorithm to incorporate stability constraints to calculate TTC is proposed. Based on this algorithm, a software package with graphical user interface (GUI) is developed to facilitate comprehensive and flexible analysis of TTC. The WSCC-9 bus system is used as the test system to demonstrate the methodology.
A Tolerance Concept in Data Clustering

This paper introduces the concept of tolerance space as an abstract model of data clustering. The similarity in the model is represented by a relation with both reflexivity and symmetry, called a tolerance relation. Three types of clusterings based on a tolerance relation are introduced: maximal complete similarity clustering, representative clustering, and closure clustering. This paper also discusses experiments on unsupervised learning, in which Hamming distance is used to define a family of tolerance relations.