cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Number of Equivalent Cycles Concept for Liquefaction Evaluations—Revisited

The "equivalent number of cycles" concept is integral to cyclic liquefaction evaluations, whether applied directly in laboratory evaluations or via magnitude scaling factors in field evaluations. The premise of the concept is that the random motions of an earthquake can be represented by an equivalently damaging number of uniform stress cycles sneqd, which facilitates laboratory testing and provides a convenient metric for comparing the duration of earthquake motions. The most widely used procedure for computing neq was developed by the late Professor H.B. Seed and colleagues in the late 1960s to early 1970s and is based on the Palmgren-Miner sP-Md cumulative damage hypothesis developed for metal fatigue evaluations. However, the original P-M hypothesis is intended for high cycle fatigue conditions and therefore applies to conditions where the strains are constrained to the elastic range of the material. By contrast, low cycle fatigue conditions, such as the case of soils subjected to strong ground shaking, are characterized by significant amounts of plastic strain. The implications of using a high cycle fatigue hypothesis to compute neq for evaluating liquefaction are examined herein, and an alternative approach to implementing the P-M fatigue hypothesis that more appropriately accounts for the nonlinear behavior of soil is proposed. The alternative implementation procedure equates energy dissipated in the soil subjected to the actual earthquake motions and neq uniform cycles. The results of a parametric study using the alternative implementation procedure show that neq varies as a function of earthquake magnitude, site-to-source distance, and depth in a soil profile.
Evidence for nano-scale inhomogeneities in bilayer manganites in the Mn4+ rich region: 0.54≤x≤0.80

Abstract The atomic pair distribution function (PDF) technique is employed to probe the atomic local structural responses in naturally double layered manganites La 2−2 x Sr 1+2 x Mn 2 O 7 in the doping range 0.54≤ x ≤0.80. Our low temperature neutron powder diffraction measurements suggest the coexistence of two different Jahn-Teller (JT) distorted MnO 6 octahedra when its ordered magnetic structure crosses over from type A (0.54≤ x ≤0.66) to type C/C* (0.74≤ x ≤0.90) ordering. At all doping levels at low temperature the doped holes reside predominantly in the plane of the bilayer. In the type A magnetic ordering regime, the e g electrons appear to be significantly delocalized in the plane resulting in undistorted octahedra, while in type C/C* regime, elongated JT distorted octahedra are apparent. This is consistent with the presence of inhomogeneous coexisting delocalized and localized electronic states. No evidence of macroscopic phase separation has been observed. Such nanoscale inhomogeneities may explain the magnetically frustrated behavior observed in the spin disordered ‘gap’ region (0.66≤ x ≤0.74).
Physiological evaluation of psychological treatments for anxiety.

Classification of mental disorders has been greatly influenced by a medical model postulating biological abnormalities that underlie its divisions. Particularly in anxiety disorders, physiological symptoms are part of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria. Therefore, successful therapy should influence physiological as well as cognitive–verbal expressions of anxiety. Nevertheless, despite the well-known limitations of self-report, physiological outcome measures have only occasionally been employed. We searched the literature for treatment studies that attempted to make a physiological argument for the efficacy of a psychological treatment for anxiety. Our search found only a few methodologically sound examples, where normalization of self-report and physiological measures corresponded. The most convincing studies dealt with the treatment of specific phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Micropost array for force mapping of vascular smooth muscle cells

This paper describes the design, fabrication and characterization of micromachined arrays of 3 dimensional microposts with high aspect ratio and high density made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) flexible material. The arrays are for use to measure quantitatively the cellular traction forces generated by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and cells with weaker traction forces (pN-nN range). The fabrication steps were modified to ensure the construction of microposts with diameter and height of 3µm and 30µm, respectively, or aspect ratio up to 10, which has not been reported before. We also report detailed statistical measurements of Young's Modulus and spring constant of PDMS posts using Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) for calibration of each post-geometry used in the cell force measuring experiments. This ensured a higher degree of accuracy of the cell traction force measurements. To demonstrate the sensitivity of the high aspect ratio micropost, VSMCs were cultured on top of micropost array and the traction force maps were generated.
Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1, a Novel Target of Estrogen Receptor Action, Mediates the Mitogenic Effects of Estradiol in Ovarian and Breast Cancer Cells

Recent clinical studies estimate that 60–70% of human ovarian and breast cancers overexpress the estrogen receptor (ER). However, despite the established mitogenic effects of estrogen in these tumors, proliferative markers of hormone action are limited. In the current study, we report that the growth stimulatory cytokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is a bona fide target of estrogen action in ERα-positive human ovarian and breast cancer cells. Notably, estradiol treatment of BG-1 (ovarian carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast carcinoma) cells leads to rapid and robust induction of the SDF-1α and β isoforms. This response is blocked by the pure ER antagonist ICI 182,780 and is not apparent in ER-negative ovarian cells, indicating that SDF-1 regulation is ERα mediated. Treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide had no effect on estradiol induction of induction of SDF-1 mRNA levels mRNA levels, demonstrating that SDF-1 is a direct target of ERα. SDF-1 protein levels, although undetectable u...
When Virtual Meets Physical at the Edge: A Field Study on Datacenters' Virtual Traffic

The wide deployment of virtualization in datacenters catalyzes the emergence of virtual traffic that delivers the network demands between the physical network and the virtual machines hosting clients' services. Virtual traffic presents new opportunities for reducing physical network demands, as well as challenges of increasing management complexity. Given the plethora of prior art on virtualization technologies in datacenters, surprisingly little is still known about such virtual traffic, and its dependence on the physical network and virtual machines. This paper provides a multi-faceted analysis of the patterns and impacts of multiplexing the virtual traffic onto the physical network, particularly from the perspective of the network edge. We use a large collection of field data from production datacenters hosting a large number of diversified services from multiple enterprise tenants. Our first focus is on uncovering the temporal and spatial characteristics of the virtual and physical traffic, i.e., network demand growth and communication patterns, with special attention paid to the traffic of migrating virtual machines. The second focus is on characterizing the effect of network multiplexing in terms of communication locality, traffic load heterogeneity, and the dependency on CPU processing power at the edges of the network. Last but not least, we conduct a mirroring analysis on service QoS, defined by the service unavailability induced by network related issues, e.g., loads. We qualitatively and quantitatively discuss the implications and opportunities that virtual traffic presents for network capacity planning of virtualized networks and datacenters.
Isolation and identification of a new pteridine from a blue-green alga.

Abstract 1. 1. A new pteridine has been isolated in pure form from the blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans . 2. 2. It has been characterized by degradative experiments as an α-glucoside of biopterin. 3. 3. No decision can be made on the evidence, however, as to whether this attachment is through the 1′ -OH or 2′ -OH. 4. 4. The possible metabolic significance of this compound is discussed.
High-level design verification of microprocessors via error modeling

A design verification methodology for microprocessor hardware based on modeling design errors and generating simulation vectors for the modeled errors via physical fault testing techniques is presented. We have systematically collected design error data from a number of microprocessor design projects. The error data is used to derive error models suitable for design verification testing. A class of basic error models is identified and shown to yield tests that provide good coverage of common error types. To improve coverage for more complex errors, a new class of conditional error models is introduced. An experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of our methodology is presented. Single actual design errors are injected into a correct design, and it is determined if the methodology will generate a test that detects the actual errors. The experiment has been conducted for two microprocessor designs and the results indicate that very high coverage of actual design errors can be obtained with test sets that are complete for a small number of synthetic error models.
Differences Exist in the Left and Right Sciatic Nerves of Naïve Rats and Cats.

The sciatic nerve of rats and cats is commonly used in experimental models of peripheral nerve injury and repair, as well as experiments involving peripheral nerve electrode implantation. In such experiments, morphometric parameters from the implanted nerve are commonly evaluated and compared to control values obtained from the contralateral nerves. However, this may not be an appropriate approach as differences may naturally exist in the structure of the two nerves owing to developmental or behavioral asymmetry. Additionally, in the cat, baseline values for standard morphometric parameters are not well established. In this study, we characterized fascicle area, fiber count, fiber density, fiber packing, mean g-ratio, and fiber diameter distributions in the rat and cat, as well as investigated the potential for naturally occurring sided differences in these parameters in both species. We also investigated whether animal age or location along the nerve influenced these parameters. We found that sided or left/right leg differences exist in some parameters in both the rat and the cat, calling into question the validity of using the contralateral nerve as a control. We also found that animal age and location along the nerve can make significant differences in the parameters tested, establishing the importance of using control nerves from age- and behaviorally matched animals whose morphometric parameters are collected and compared from the same location. Anat Rec, 298:1492–1501, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electromagnetic detection of plate hydration due to bending faults at the Middle America Trench

Water plays an important role in the processes occurring at subduction zones since the release of water from the downgoing slab impacts seismicity and enhances arc volcanism. Geochemical indicators suggest that the Nicaraguan slab is anomalously wet, yet the mechanism of slab hydration remains poorly constrained. Extensional bending faults on the incoming oceanic plate of the Middle America Trench offshore Nicaragua have been observed to penetrate to mantle depths, suggesting a permeable pathway for hydration of the crust and serpentinization of the upper mantle. Low seismic velocities observed in the uppermost mantle of the incoming plate have been explained as serpentinization due to deep fluid penetration but could also be explained by intrinsic anisotropy and fractures in the absence of fluid circulation. Here we use controlled-source electromagnetic imaging to map the electrical resistivity of the crust and uppermost mantle along a 220 km profile crossing the trench offshore Nicaragua. Along the incoming plate our data reveal that crustal resistivity decreases by up to a factor of five directly with the onset of the bending faults. Furthermore, a strong azimuthal anisotropy compatible with conductive vertical fault planes is observed only on the faulted trench seafloor. The observed resistivity decrease and anisotropy can be explained by a porosity increase along vertical fault planes, which we interpret as evidence that the lithospheric bending faults provide the necessary permeable fluid pathways required for serpentinization of the uppermost mantle. This implies that most serpentinisation happens at the trench, with the width of the faulting region and the density of fractures controlling the extent of upper mantle alteration. This observation explains why the heavily faulted trench offshore Nicaragua is associated with an anomalously wet slab, whereas other sections of the Middle America Trench containing fewer bending faults have less fluid flux from the subducting slab.
Sindbis virus attachment: isolation and characterization of mutants with impaired binding to vertebrate cells.

Abstract Sindbis virus can infect a broad range of insect and vertebrate cell types. The ability to restrict tissue tropism and target virus infection to specific cell types would expand the usefulness of engineered alphaviruses as gene expression vectors. In this study, virus pools derived from libraries of full-length Sindbis virus cDNA clones containing random insertion mutations in the PE2 or E1 virion glycoprotein gene were screened for mutants defective for binding to vertebrate cells. Binding-competent mutants were depleted by serial adsorption to chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) monolayers at 4 degrees C, and the remaining population was amplified by immune-enhanced infection of P388D1 cells. From the PE2 libraries, 12 candidate mutants showing reduced cytopathic effects on CEF monolayers were isolated and three representative mutants, NB1, NB2, and NB12, were characterized in detail. Insertion mutations for NB1 and NB12 were found near the PE2 cleavage site, whereas the insertion in NB2 occurred between residues 69 and 74 of E2. Although virion assembly and release occurred normally for all three mutants, PE2 cleavage was completely (NB1) or partially (NB12) blocked for the mutants with insertions near the PE2 cleavage site. Both NB1 and NB2 were defective for binding to CEF and BHK-21 cells. Mild trypsin digestion of isolated NB1 virions resulted in PE2 cleavage and partially restored binding to CEF. Besides defective binding, NB1 also exhibited slower CEF penetration kinetics. Consistent with previous work, these results implicate PE2 cleavage and domains in the N-terminal portion of E2 as important determinants of alphavirus binding and penetration. Binding-defective mutants such as NB2, which exhibit normal particle assembly, release, and penetration, may be useful for future efforts to target Sindbis virus infection.
Developing a Conceptual Article for Publication in Counseling Journals.

This article seeks to help authors better understand the purpose, process, and procedures for developing a conceptual manuscript for publication in counseling journals. The author explains the basis of a conceptual article, discusses how authors may generate ideas for writing such articles, and describes a process for developing a conceptual article.
Modulation of CXCL14 (BRAK) expression in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest inflammatory processes may be involved in the development or progression of prostate cancer. Chemokines are a family of cytokines that can play several roles in cancer progression including angiogenesis, inflammation, cell recruitment, and migration. METHODS Real-time quantitative RT-PCR, in situ RNA hybridization, laser capture microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and cDNA array based technologies were used to examine CXCL14 (BRAK) expression in paired normal and tumor prostate. To determine the role CXCL14 expression has on cancer progression, LAPC4 cells were engineered to overexpress mouse or human CXCL14, and xenograft studies were performed. RESULTS CXCL14 RNA expression was observed in normal and tumor prostate epithelium and focally in stromal cells adjacent to cancer. CXCL14 mRNA was significantly upregulated in localized prostate cancer and positively correlated with Gleason score. CXCL14 levels were unchanged in BPH specimens. LAPC4 cells expressing CXCL14 resulted in a 43% tumor growth inhibition (P = 0.019) in vivo compared to vector only xenografts. CONCLUSIONS CXCL14 mRNA upregulation is a common feature in prostate cancer. The finding that CXCL14 expression inhibits tumor growth suggests this gene has tumor suppressive functions. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Low Dose Aldosterone Antagonism Reduces Diuretic Requirements in Heart Failure

Background: The effect of low doses of aldosterone antagonists (AA) on loop diuretic (LD) dosing in heart failure (HF) has not been reported. If AA have a natriuretic effect at low doses, there is the potential for an unexpected diuresis with continuation of baseline diuretic therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of AA on loop diuretic dose requirements and risk for dehydration/acute renal failure (ARF) in the treatment of heart failure. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of HF subjects who where on a LD at the time of AA initiation. Baseline data included demographics, medications, renal status and co-morbidities. Loop diuretic dose changes, renal function and number of hospital admissions for dehydration/ ARF over a 12-month period after AA initiation was evaluated. Results: Sixty subjects, 60% black, 57% male, mean age 54 were included in the study. Baseline characteristics include average BP of 124/73, weight 226 pounds, BUN 19 and, SrCr 1.23 mg/dL and 83% had moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction. Concomitant therapy included beta-blockers (93%) and ACEI (98%). Furosemide was the only LD used. As shown in the table, there was a significant reduction in LD dose over the 12-months following AA initiation. Diuretic doses were unchanged (NC) in 19 (32%) subjects, increased (INC) in 14 (23%) and decreased (DEC) in 27 (45%). The INC/NC group was on a lower LD dose compared to the DEC group at baseline (92 6 53 mg vs. 132 6 69 mg, p 5 0.012). The INC/NC subjects were more likely to have 2-co-morbidities versus 1 in the DEC group. The DEC group had a significant decline in renal function at the time of first LD dose change compared to baseline (p ! 0.05). There were 4 hospitalizations due to dehydration/ARF with no significant difference between DEC and INC/NC groups. Conclusions: Data from this study showed that 45% of subjects required a decrease in LD dose over a 12-month period and 7% of subjects were hospitalized due to dehydration/ARF. Renal dysfunction was significant among the DEC group. Careful monitoring of renal function and fluid status, in addition to potassium, is warranted in this population.
Canada Warbler use of harvested stands following timber management in the southern portion of their range

We evaluated Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) responses to changes in habitat characteristics (landscape metrics, landcover, and microhabitat features) at multiple spatial scales resulting from timber harvests (clear-cut, heavy partial, and light partial) between 1996 and 2009. Relative abundance of Canada Warblers decreased over time on our West Virginia study area (Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest) and within the Appalachian Bird Conservation Region. Initially, relative abundance was greater closer to roads, but as timber harvests became more common, relative abundance became positively associated with amount of light partial harvests at the local scale. Nest survival was 45.6 ± 18.3% during 1996–1998 and 24.9 ± 14.6% during 2007–2009, but did not differ (P = 0.38) between these periods. Areas around nests in 2007–2009 (n = 17) had less intermediate canopy cover and fewer residual trees but more green cover, woody debris, and pole trees than areas around nests in 1996–1998 (n = 10). Successful nests had more low cover, less vertical diversity, more woody debris, more saplings, and greater edge density than failed nests. We found a positive association between relative abundance and all three types of timber harvests and an improvement in habitat through understory development and retention of residual trees. Our research finds preliminary support for use of timber harvests, particularly light partial harvests, as a management tool for Canada Warblers in the southern portion of their range with the need for extended research using treatments and controls to confirm successful management.
Glancing at personal navigation devices can affect driving: experimental results and design implications

Nowadays, personal navigation devices (PNDs) that provide GPS-based directions are widespread in vehicles. These devices typically display the real-time location of the vehicle on a map and play spoken prompts when drivers need to turn. While such devices are less distracting than paper directions, their graphical display may distract users from their primary task of driving. In experiments conducted with a high fidelity driving simulator, we found that drivers using a navigation system with a graphical display indeed spent less time looking at the road compared to those using a navigation system with spoken directions only. Furthermore, glancing at the display was correlated with higher variance in driving performance measures. We discuss the implications of these findings on PND design for vehicles.
Thermally induced molecular orientation in the noncrystalline regions of high‐speed spun poly (ethylene terephthalate) fibers

We report some unexpected changes in amorphous orientation after constant-length heat treatment of high-speed spun poly(ethylene) terephthalate (PET) fibers. The changes are revealed by both an optical dichroic technique and a birefringence/x-ray method
Engineering Cytoplasmic Male Sterility via the Chloroplast Genome by Expression of β-Ketothiolase

While investigating expression of the polydroxybutyrate pathway in transgenic chloroplasts, we addressed the specific role of β-ketothiolase. Therefore, we expressed the phaA gene via the chloroplast genome. Prior attempts to express the phaA gene in transgenic plants were unsuccessful. We studied the effect of light regulation of the phaA gene using the psbA promoter and 5′ untranslated region, and evaluated expression under different photoperiods. Stable transgene integration into the chloroplast genome and homoplasmy were confirmed by Southern analysis. The phaA gene was efficiently transcribed in all tissue types examined, including leaves, flowers, and anthers. Coomassie-stained gel and western blots confirmed hyperexpression of β-ketothiolase in leaves and anthers, with proportionately high levels of enzyme activity. The transgenic lines were normal except for the male-sterile phenotype, lacking pollen. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a collapsed morphology of the pollen grains. Floral developmental studies revealed that transgenic lines showed an accelerated pattern of anther development, affecting their maturation, and resulted in aberrant tissue patterns. Abnormal thickening of the outer wall, enlarged endothecium, and vacuolation affected pollen grains and resulted in the irregular shape or collapsed phenotype. Reversibility of the male-sterile phenotype was observed under continuous illumination, resulting in viable pollen and copious amount of seeds. This study results in the first engineered cytoplasmic male-sterility system in plants, offers a new tool for transgene containment for both nuclear and organelle genomes, and provides an expedient mechanism for F1 hybrid seed production.
Archon: a digital library that federates physics collections

Archon is a federation of physics collections with varying degrees of metadata richness. Archon uses the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAIPMH) to harvest metadata from distributed archives. The architecture of Archon is largely based on another OAIPMH digital library: Arc, a cross archive search service. However, Archon provides some new services that are specifically tailored for the physics community. Of these services we will discuss approaches we used to search and browse equations and formulae and a citation linking service for arXiv and American Physical Society (APS) archives.
Antiviral activity of partially thiolated polynucleotides.

Structural modification of poly(I)·poly(C) (thiolation of position 5 of some of the cytosine bases in polycytidylate) produces compounds which induce antiviral activity in both human and murine cells. Since increasing degrees of thiolation increase nuclease resistance, this study reaffirms the notion that enhanced nucleolytic resistance of double-stranded RNAs is not a critical property for interferon induction. Depletion of the full expression of the antiviral state in human cells occurred after washing the cells shortly after poly(I)·poly(C) exposure; addition of fresh poly(I)·poly(C) did not restore full antiviral function to the washed cells. However, prior treatment with thiolated complexes abolished this depletion. The thiolated polymers may prove to be useful in circumventing the hyporesponsiveness usually seen after repeated stimulation with the interferon inducer poly(I)·poly(C), in experimental viral infections.
Model Studies Directed toward the Alkaloid Mersicarpine Utilizing a Rh(II)-Catalyzed Insertion/Cycloaddition Sequence

Model studies dealing with the rhodium(II)-catalyzed carbenoid insertion/cyclization/cycloaddition cascade of several α-diazo dihydroindolinones have been carried out as an approach to the alkaloid mersicarpine. The cascade reaction of α-diazo dihydroindolinone 21 proceeded in high yield with excellent diastereoselectivity to give cycloadduct 22, which possesses the required stereochemistry of the two adjacent quaternary carbon centers present in mersicarpine. The overall reaction enabled the rapid assemblage of a polycyclic ring system that contains three new stereocenters and three continuous quaternary carbons in a single operation in high yield with excellent diastereoselectivity. The 3-indolinone derivative 36 was eventually formed from cycloadduct 22 by an acid-induced hydrolysis of 22 to give 23, which was subsequently converted in several steps to 36. The synthesis of this compound constitutes a successful construction of the tricyclic core of mersicarpine. Reduction of the nitrile group of 36 fol...
Intraoperative diagnosis miscommunication: an opportunity for improvement.

Intraoperative consultations/frozen section analyses are among the most stressful parts of a pathologist’s duties. By design they have a strict time limit, the sampling of a lesion may be insufficient, the histology is usually inferior to permanent sections, little or no ancillary studies are available, consultation is less likely to be available, the specimen may not be in the pathologist’s immediate area of expertise, and the clinical consequences may be quite significant. In addition, every mistake is likely to be identified by the leisurely Monday morning quarterback review of a wide array of permanent slides, ancillary studies, and consultations. Indeed, it is perhaps most impressive how few errors are actually made during intraoperative consultation. In this issue, Talmon et al1 point out yet another way in which an intraoperative consultation can go awry. In their study, they reviewed 1,131 intraoperative consultations and compared the written pathologist’s report with that dictated by the surgeon in the operative report. They found discrepancies in as many as 9.9% of cases, and in 0.3% of these cases, the discrepancies were between a benign and malignant …
A voltammetric and mathematical analysis of histaminergic modulation of serotonin in the mouse hypothalamus.

Histamine and serotonin are neuromodulators which facilitate numerous, diverse neurological functions. Being co-localized in many brain regions, these two neurotransmitters are thought to modulate one another's chemistry and are often implicated in the etiology of disease. Thus, it is desirable to interpret the in vivo chemistry underlying neurotransmission of these two molecules to better define their roles in health and disease. In this work, we describe a voltammetric approach to monitoring serotonin and histamine simultaneously in real time. Via electrical stimulation of the axonal bundles in the medial forebrain bundle, histamine release was evoked in the mouse premammillary nucleus. We found that histamine release was accompanied by a rapid, potent inhibition of serotonin in a concentration-dependent manner. We developed mathematical models to capture the experimental time courses of histamine and serotonin, which necessitated incorporation of an inhibitory receptor on serotonin neurons. We employed pharmacological experiments to verify that this serotonin inhibition was mediated by H3 receptors. Our novel approach provides fundamental mechanistic insights that can be used to examine the full extent of interconnectivity between histamine and serotonin in the brain. Histamine and serotonin are co-implicated in many of the brain's functions. In this paper, we develop a novel voltammetric method for simultaneous real-time monitoring of histamine and serotonin in the mouse premammillary nucleus. Electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle evokes histamine and inhibits serotonin release. We show voltammetrically, mathematically, and pharmacologically that this serotonin inhibition is H3 receptor mediated.
Preoperative prediction from cineangiograms of postrepair right ventricular pressure in tetralogy of Fallot.

To aid preoperative decision-making, we have related the ratio of postrepair peak pressure in the right and left ventricles (PRV/LV) to preoperative cineangiographic measurements in a retrospective study of 135 patients undergoing complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot or tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. Postrepair PRV/LV was related to the preoperative diameter of right (DRPA) and left (DLPA) pulmonary arteries normalized to the descending thoracic aorta (DescThAo) in patients undergoing repair with transannular patching or a valved external conduit by the dquation: PRV/LV = 0.4840/(DRPA/DescThAO + DLPA/DesThAo) + 0.2007. Stenosis of the right pulmonary artery orifice and pulmonary artery arborization abnormalities incrementally increased postrepair PRV/LV. When a transannular patch was not used in classical tetralogy of Fallot, an increment of postrepair PRV/LV usually resulted, depending upon the size of the "anulus" measured intraoperatively: Incremental PRV/LV = 0.09437 . exp(-0.6344 . Z) where Z is a normalized expression in circumference terms of the diameter of the pulmonary arterial outflow tract (DPAOT) measured intraoperatively after infundibular dissection and valvotomy. DPAOT is itself related to the cineangiographically measured pulmonary valve anulus diameter (DPVA): DPAOT = 3.357 . DPVA0.5789 . BSA0.1551. In toto, these relations allow postrepair PRV/LV without transannular patching to be estimated from preoperative cineangiographic measurements. This allows preoperative predictiom in classical tetralogy of Fallot of the need for transannular patching, and in infants this can determine the choice between primary one-stage repair and two-stage repair. Prediction of postrepair PRV/LV when transannular patching or an external conduit is planned allows identification of patients in whom right and left pulmonary arteries are too small for safe complete repair, and in them an initial palliative operation should be done to enlarge the arteries.
Testing Statistical Hypotheses

This chapter discusses different steps in testing of statistical hypotheses. The first step in testing statistical hypotheses is to formulate a statistical model that can represent the empirical phenomenon being studied and identify the subfamily of distributions corresponding to the hypothesis under consideration. The hypothesis being tested corresponds to the subfamily of binomial distributions. Significant deviations lead to weakening of the hypotheses or to their rejection. This testing of the significance of deviations is generally done by constructing a test statistic based on the sample values, deriving the sampling distribution of the test statistic according to the model and the values of the parameters specified by the hypothesis, and rejecting the hypothesis if the observed value of the test statistic lies in an improbable region under the hypothesis. A small value of the observed significant level means either that an improbable event has occurred or that the sample data are incompatible with the hypothesis being tested.
The OME Framework for genome-scale systems biology

The life sciences are undergoing continuous and accelerating integration with computational and engineering sciences. The biology that many in the field have been trained on may be hardly recognizable in ten to twenty years. One of the major drivers for this transformation is the blistering pace of advancements in DNA sequencing and synthesis. These advances have resulted in unprecedented amounts of new data, information, and knowledge. Many software tools have been developed to deal with aspects of this transformation and each is sorely needed [1-3]. However, few of these tools have been forced to deal with the full complexity of genome-scale models along with high throughput genome- scale data. This particular situation represents a unique challenge, as it is simultaneously necessary to deal with the vast breadth of genome-scale models and the dizzying depth of high-throughput datasets. It has been observed time and again that as the pace of data generation continues to accelerate, the pace of analysis significantly lags behind [4]. It is also evident that, given the plethora of databases and software efforts [5-12], it is still a significant challenge to work with genome-scale metabolic models, let alone next-generation whole cell models [13-15]. We work at the forefront of model more » creation and systems scale data generation [16-18]. The OME Framework was borne out of a practical need to enable genome-scale modeling and data analysis under a unified framework to drive the next generation of genome-scale biological models. Here we present the OME Framework. It exists as a set of Python classes. However, we want to emphasize the importance of the underlying design as an addition to the discussions on specifications of a digital cell. A great deal of work and valuable progress has been made by a number of communities [13, 19-24] towards interchange formats and implementations designed to achieve similar goals. While many software tools exist for handling genome-scale metabolic models or for genome-scale data analysis, no implementations exist that explicitly handle data and models concurrently. The OME Framework structures data in a connected loop with models and the components those models are composed of. This results in the first full, practical implementation of a framework that can enable genome-scale design-build-test. Over the coming years many more software packages will be developed and tools will necessarily change. However, we hope that the underlying designs shared here can help to inform the design of future software. « less
MR Imaging of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Involving the Brain

Focal lesions were demonstrated on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in eight patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and recent onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Corresponding findings were visible in only two of seven patients who had computed tomographic (CT) scans. Three patterns of disease were observed on MR when it was performed with a pulse repetition rate of 2000 msec. The first pattern was that of cerebral infarction, with a relatively large area of increased intensity. The second pattern, multiple small areas of increased intensity, may have been secondary to microinfarctions. The third pattern was that of focal areas of increased intensity, predominantly in the cerebral gray matter. In two of three patients with the third pattern, partial or complete resolution was observed on follow-up MR images obtained several weeks after the initial studies.
Activation of New Raman Modes by Inversion Symmetry Breaking in Type II Weyl Semimetal Candidate T'-MoTe2.

We synthesized distorted octahedral (T′) molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) and investigated its vibrational properties with Raman spectroscopy, density functional theory, and symmetry analysis. Compared to results from the high-temperature centrosymmetric monoclinic (T′mo) phase, four new Raman bands emerge in the low-temperature orthorhombic (T′or) phase, which was recently predicted to be a type II Weyl semimetal. Crystal-angle-dependent, light-polarization-resolved measurements indicate that all the observed Raman peaks belong to two categories: those vibrating along the zigzag Mo atomic chain (z-modes) and those vibrating in the mirror plane (m-modes) perpendicular to the zigzag chain. Interestingly, the low-energy shear z-mode and shear m-mode, absent from the T′mo spectra, become activated when sample cooling induces a phase transition to the T′or crystal structure. We interpret this observation as a consequence of inversion-symmetry breaking, which is crucial for the existence of Weyl fermions in the ...
Feasibility of an ultra-low power digital signal processor platform as a basis for a fully implantable brain-computer interface system

A fully implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) can be a practical tool to restore independence to those affected by spinal cord injury. We envision that such a BCI system will invasively acquire brain signals (e.g. electrocorticogram) and translate them into control commands for external prostheses. The feasibility of such a system was tested by implementing its benchtop analogue, centered around a commercial, ultra-low power (ULP) digital signal processor (DSP, TMS320C5517, Texas Instruments). A suite of signal processing and BCI algorithms, including (de)multiplexing, Fast Fourier Transform, power spectral density, principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, Bayes rule, and finite state machine was implemented and tested in the DSP. The system's signal acquisition fidelity was tested and characterized by acquiring harmonic signals from a function generator. In addition, the BCI decoding performance was tested, first with signals from a function generator, and subsequently using human electroencephalogram (EEG) during eyes opening and closing task. On average, the system spent 322 ms to process and analyze 2 s of data. Crosstalk (<-65 dB) and harmonic distortion (∼1%) were minimal. Timing jitter averaged 49 μs per 1000 ms. The online BCI decoding accuracies were 100% for both function generator and EEG data. These results show that a complex BCI algorithm can be executed on an ULP DSP without compromising performance. This suggests that the proposed hardware platform may be used as a basis for future, fully implantable BCI systems.
The immune system's role in sepsis progression, resolution, and long‐term outcome

Sepsis occurs when an infection exceeds local tissue containment and induces a series of dysregulated physiologic responses that result in organ dysfunction. A subset of patients with sepsis progress to septic shock, defined by profound circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities, and associated with a greater mortality. Historically, sepsis-induced organ dysfunction and lethality were attributed to the complex interplay between the initial inflammatory and later anti-inflammatory responses. With advances in intensive care medicine and goal-directed interventions, early 30-day sepsis mortality has diminished, only to steadily escalate long after "recovery" from acute events. As so many sepsis survivors succumb later to persistent, recurrent, nosocomial, and secondary infections, many investigators have turned their attention to the long-term sepsis-induced alterations in cellular immune function. Sepsis clearly alters the innate and adaptive immune responses for sustained periods of time after clinical recovery, with immune suppression, chronic inflammation, and persistence of bacterial representing such alterations. Understanding that sepsis-associated immune cell defects correlate with long-term mortality, more investigations have centered on the potential for immune modulatory therapy to improve long-term patient outcomes. These efforts are focused on more clearly defining and effectively reversing the persistent immune cell dysfunction associated with long-term sepsis mortality.
Amniotic fluid stem cells ameliorate bladder dysfunction induced by chronic bladder ischemia in rat.

Aims This study investigated the protective effect of human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (hAFSCs) against bladder overactivity in rat model of atherosclerosis-induced chronic bladder ischemia. Methods Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: (1) Normal control with a regular diet for 8 weeks, (2) Sham-operation, (3) arterial balloon endothelial injury (AEI) of common iliac artery (AEI only), and post-AEI consecutive hAFSCs treatment for (4) 1 day, (5) 3 days, and (6) 7 days. Groups 2-6 were given 2% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks after operation (sham or AEI). Bladder functions were analyzed by cystometry at 8 weeks in controls and after operation in groups 2-6. Wall morphology of common iliac artery was examined by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Bladder oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were studied by immunohistochemistry of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Results Bladder overactivity with decreased voided volumes and intercontraction intervals and increased residual volumes was seen in AEI only group, but improved after hAFSCs treatment for 1, 3, and 7 days. Compared with controls and shams, the wall thickness of iliac artery was increased in AEI only group, but improved after hAFSCs treatment for 3 and 7 days. The expressions of 8OHdG, MDA, and TNF-alpha were increased in AEI only group, but improved after hAFSCs treatment for 1, 3, and 7 days. Conclusions Bladder overactivity caused by chronic bladder ischemia can be improved by hAFSCs treatment, probably by acting through down-regulation of oxidative stress and TNF-alpha expressions.
Quantum avalanche detection science (Conference Presentation)

This Conference Presentation was recorded at SPIE Commercial + Scientific Sensing and Imaging 2017 held in Anaheim, California, United States.
Using laboratory Vis-NIR spectroscopy for monitoring some forest soil properties

The development of rapid, accurate, and cost-effective methods to determine forest soil properties such as visible and near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy is important for sustainable land management. The main objective of this study was to assess the suitability of Vis-NIR spectroscopy coupled with partial least squares regression (PLSR) to determine some forest soil properties such as organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH, and soil texture (sand, silt, and clay) for a representative forest area in southern Italy. Soil samples (0–20 cm depth) were collected at 267 locations, oven-dried and passed through a 2-mm sieve, and analyzed for some chemical and physical soil properties using conventional laboratory methods. Vis-NIR reflectance of each soil sample was measured in laboratory under artificial light using an ASD FieldSpec IV 350–2500 nm spectroradiometer. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to develop a calibration model for SOC, TN, pH, sand, silt, and clay. Samples were split into a calibration set (187 samples) to develop the models and a validation set (80 samples) to assess the prediction accuracy of the calibration models. Results showed a good agreement between measured and predicted values with high R 2 and low root mean square error (RMSE) values. Model validation using independent data was satisfactory for all the studied soil properties. Finally, findings confirmed that laboratory Vis–NIR spectroscopy has the potential to be a non-destructive and cost-effective tool for rapid determination of many soil properties. The spectral data collected in this study could contribute to build a regional soil spectral library to be used advantageously in support to soil survey in other areas of the Calabria region (southern Italy).
When Escherichia coli doesn't fit the mold: A pertussis-like toxin with altered specificity

Bacterial toxins introduce protein modifications such as ADP-ribosylation to manipulate host cell signaling and physiology. Several general mechanisms for toxin function have been established, but the extent to which previously uncharacterized toxins utilize these mechanisms is unknown. A study of an Escherichia coli pertussis-like toxin demonstrates that this protein acts on a known toxin substrate but displays distinct and dual chemoselectivity, suggesting this E. coli pertussis-like toxin may serve as a unique tool to study G-protein signaling in eukaryotic cells.
Using EHR Data to Detect Prescribing Errors in Rapidly Discontinued Medication Orders

Background Previous research developed a new method for locating prescribing errors in rapidly discontinued electronic medication orders. Although effective, the prospective design of that research hinders its feasibility for regular use. Objectives Our objectives were to assess a method to retrospectively detect prescribing errors, to characterize the identified errors, and to identify potential improvement opportunities. Methods Electronically submitted medication orders from 28 randomly selected days that were discontinued within 120 minutes of submission were reviewed and categorized as most likely errors, nonerrors, or not enough information to determine status. Identified errors were evaluated by amount of time elapsed from original submission to discontinuation, error type, staff position, and potential clinical significance. Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare rates of errors across prescriber types. Results In all, 147 errors were identified in 305 medication orders. The method was most effective for orders that were discontinued within 90 minutes. Duplicate orders were most common; physicians in training had the highest error rate (p Conclusion It is possible to identify prescribing errors in rapidly discontinued medication orders by using retrospective methods that do not require interrupting prescribers to discuss order details. Future research could validate our methods in different clinical settings. Regular use of this measure could help determine the causes of prescribing errors, track performance, and identify and evaluate interventions to improve prescribing systems and processes.
Inflammatory Heart Diseases in Children

Inflammatory heart diseases include rheumatic fever, Kawasaki disease, and myocarditis. These conditions all stem from an inflammatory process that may lead to significant cardiac morbidity and mortality. These patients often present initially to the emergency department, and prompt recognition and treatment of these conditions are essential. Rheumatic fever is caused by group A streptococcal (GAS) infections and is diagnosed using the Jones criteria. Rheumatic fever may lead to mitral and/or aortic valve dysfunction. Kawasaki disease is a systemic vasculitis that affects medium-sized arteries. Diagnostic criteria include fever, conjunctivitis, mucositis, extremity changes, rash, and lymphadenopathy. Patients may present with shock related to myocarditis and can develop aneurysms in the coronary arteries with the potential for ischemic heart disease. Treatment consists of immunomodulators and anticoagulation. Myocarditis has numerous causes but is most commonly secondary to a viral illness. Clinical presentation varies widely, but patients may present acutely in cardiogenic shock. Treatment consists of immunomodulators and heart failure medications.