cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Purine Hydroxylase and Xanthine Dehydrogenase from Clostridium purinolyticum in Response to Purines, Selenium, and Molybdenum

The discovery that two distinct enzyme catalysts, purine hydroxylase (PH) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), are required for the overall conversion of hypoxanthine to uric acid by Clostridium purinolyticum was unexpected. In this reaction sequence, hypoxanthine is hydroxylated to xanthine by PH and then xanthine is hydroxylated to uric acid by XDH. PH and XDH, which contain a labile selenium cofactor in addition to a molybdenum cofactor, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and FeS centers, were purified and partially characterized as reported previously. In the present study, the activities of these two enzymes were measured in cells grown in media containing various concentrations of selenite, molybdate, and various purine substrates. The levels of PH protein in extracts were determined by immunoblot assay. The amount of PH protein, as well as the specific activities of PH and XDH, increased when either selenite or molybdate was added to the culture medium. PH levels were highest in the cells cultured in the presence of either adenine or purine. XDH activity increased dramatically in cells grown with either xanthine or uric acid. The apparent increases in protein levels and activities of PH and XDH in response to selenium, molybdenum, and purine substrates demonstrate that these enzymes are tightly regulated in response to these nutrients.
FORMATION OF REFRACTORY GRAINS IN SHOEMAKER-LEVY 9 FIREBALLS

Abstract The composition, size, and number of the most refractory grains to condense in Shoemaker–Levy 9 fireballs are discussed. Chemical heterogeneity in the fireball may have led to the formation of two principal types of refractory particles. Small particles consisting of a mixture of Al 2 O 3 and silicates are expected to form in those portions of the fireball where C/O 1, carbon may have condensed heterogeneously on preexisting SiC grains. Homogeneous formation of soot through the production and agglomeration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) does not occur. Calculations based on kinetic models indicate that the mean particle radii would be less than 0.1 μm for both types of chemical composition and that both types of particle would have been produced in sufficient numbers to have been visible as they rose into sunlight from behind Jupiter's limb. It is suggested that they may have provided sites for the heterogeneous nucleation of more volatile species after they came to rest in the jovian stratosphere and therefore may have comprised the cores of the dark aerosol debris particles seen suspended above the impact sites.
Innovation And Spatial Externalities

The purpose of this article is to explain the role that spatial externalities play in the current thinking about innovative activity. Geographic space has evolved from being largely neglected in the study of innovative activity to being an integrating unit of observation for analysis. Geographic space provides the platform not just for the creation of new knowledge but also, as a result of the spillover process, for the commercialization of that knowledge. The spatial paradox inherent in innovative activity is that knowledge spills over from the source producing it to the entity actually commercializing that knowledge, which would seemingly suggest that geographic location is irrelevant for accessing new knowledge. The paradox emerges because knowledge spillovers are localized and tend to decay rapidly with transmission across geographic space. Geographic space provides a unit of analysis integrating the various agents—individuals, networks, and enterprises—involved in the innovative process into a cohere...
Minerals as Energy Sources for Microorganisms

Microorganisms alter minerals for a variety of reasons, including generation of more hospitable surroundings, extraction of nutrients, and sequestration of toxic substances. Minerals also may be altered passively by the products of microbial metabolism, such as production of acid. Microbes use minerals as sources and sinks of electrons for coupled oxidation-reduction reactions, and many of these reactions enable the release and capture of energy from unstable or metastable minerals. These processes can have dramatic results, such as the production of intensely acidic solutions during oxidation of sulfide minerals, or they can slowly and discretely transform minerals during weathering and diagenesis over geologic time. In either case, mineral sources of energy are transformed irreversibly by microbial metabolism. The purpose of this paper is to explore several central questions about microbial-mineral interactions, including the following: Under what conditions does a mineral represent an energy source for microbial metabolism? How can we evaluate the amount of energy available, and upon which factors does that energy supply depend most critically? How do we get from field and analytical data to an energy analysis for a natural system? This framework is illustrated with examples of known and postulated microbially mediated energy-yielding reactions involving minerals.
Propagation characteristics of microstrip transmission line on an anisotropic material ridge

A microstrip transmission line residing on an electrically anisotropic material ridge embedded in a multilayered environment is studied using a coupled set of integral equations (IE's). The full-wave IE formulation easily accommodates arbitrary material anisotropy and inhomogeneity in the finite ridge region using equivalent polarization currents residing in a multilayered isotropic background. New results are presented for uniaxially anisotropic ridge structures which show that the transmission line propagation constant is sensitive to anisotropy for certain ridge structures and insensitive for others, compared to the conventional line on an infinite substrate. Results are also presented for a transmission line printed on a nonreciprocal solid-state magnetoplasma ridge. The current distribution associated with the dominant microstrip mode is investigated, where it is found that the transverse component of current is much larger for the ridge geometry than for the infinite substrate case, although the transverse component is still small compared to the longitudinal component. >
Microscopy analysis of dental titanium casting investment materials

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and qualitative energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDS) of investment materials for dental titanium casting were performed. Two commercial investment materials, Ohara and Castmatic, and an experimental zirconia material were analyzed. The microstructural constituents and the unfired and fired structures were included. Larger refractory particles and matrix embedding smaller particles were observed with each material. Detection of aluminum, silicon, magnesium, zirconium and oxygen provided a basis to reason the presence of alumina (Al2O3), silica (SiO2), magnesia (MgO), and zirconia (ZrO2). Hence, Ohara contained quartz and an alumino-silicate, Castmatic contained magnesia and quartz and experimental zirconia contained zirconia and an alumino-silicate, taken to be kyanite, as components providing refractoriness and expansion. Even though unequivocal detection of phosphorous in the spectra for Ohara was not obtained (P K alpha = 2.013 keV; Zr L alpha = 2.042 keV), an emission peak at 2.0 keV was taken to be due to P and related, along with MgO, to bonding by magnesium phosphate. For Castmatic, unfired strength was thought to be due to calcium chloride and calcium silicate and fired strength to forsterite, (2MgO.SiO2). Detection of calcium and chlorine also suggested bonding of experimental zirconia via calcium chloride. Extensive microcrackingmore » occurred around refractory particles and through matrix in experimental zirconia which is likely to have resulted from the firing of kyanite to 1400 degrees C, to the monoclinic to tetragonal transformation of any unstabilized ZrO2, or to the thermal expansion mismatch between kyanite and matrix.« less
Thermochemistry of phases in the system MgGa2O4-Mg2GeO4

The enthalpies of solution in molten 2PbO · B2O3 of phases synthesized at one atmosphere in the system MgGa2O4-Mg2GeO4 have been measured. A spinel solid solution, which is stable at 1400 °C from the MgGa2O4 end-member to 27 mole percent Mg2GeO4, shows endothermic heats of mixing of up to 10 kJ/mole at the solubility limit. The spinelloid phase, Mg3Ga2GeO8, is energetically less stable than a mixture of terminal spinel solid solutions (0.73 MgGa2O4·0.27 Mg2GeO4(sp)+Mg2GeO4(sp)), by 3.63±3.64 kJ/mole. This indicates that the spinelloid is a high-entropy phase. The volume of the spinel solid solution, MgGa2O4-Mg2GeO4, shows a positive deviation from Vegard's Law. Modeling of the cation distribution in the solid solution indicates that this ΔV is due to a change in the spinel type from inverse towards normal as the Mg2GeO4 content increases.
Electromyographic, Electroencephalographic, and Behavioral Changes During the Onset of Erect Posture in Newly Hatched Chicks

Abstract Electrical recordings were obtained from the gastrocnemius, tibialis, neck musculature, and cerebral lobes of chicks from hatching to the assumption of an erect posture. The sequence of behavioral activities following hatching are described as four stages. Immediately after hatching, the wings are extended but the hindlimbs and toes are flexed. Later, extension of the hindlimb digits is evident and rearing of the body occurs with short intervals of crawling. Rearing becomes higher and tarsometatarsal crawling more effective. Finally, these are superceded by erect posture and bipedal digital stepping. Cerebral EEG records show a gradual development of attention. EMG records, taken immediately after hatching, demonstrate silence with brief episodes of muscle potentials. Tonus of neck musculature appears earlier than tonus of leg muscles. Short periods of leg musculature tonus occur during rearing and crawling, but prolonged tonus is correlated with behavioral competence to maintain an erect posture.
Breed Means for Face Fly Count and Estimate of Heritability of Beef Cattle Resistance to the Face Fly1

Abstract Four hundred two observations of face fly count on 193 beef cows representing seven breed groups were used to obtain breed effects and estimate of heritability for cattle resistance to the face fly [Musca autumnalis (L.) Diptera: Muscidae]. Total face fly densities were determined weekly on each cow beginning in May and ending late October or early November of years 1988, 1989, and 1990. All fly counts were taken when cows were grazing Ozark upland native grass pastures with only containment fences separating breed groups. No insecticides were used in this study. Data for analysis were the mean annual face fly count for each cow. Breed and year effects were partitioned using an ANOVA with a split-plot design. The model used included an overall mean, breed, cow within breed, year, breed by year interaction, and a residual error. Breed, year, and interaction were significant (P 10 of x and the square root of x. This estimate suggests that beef cattle resistance to the face fly is largely under additive genetic control and that the possibility of selection procedures is an environmentally safe alternative to the use of insecticides.
The clinical observation on prevention of perineal endodermic suture by infection using Tinidezole

Compared with the routine operation group without using Tinidezole, the rate of episiomy infection significantly reduced in the wounds of perinium and vagina washed with Tinidezole in the 674 observed lying-in women. By using Tinidezole to wash the wounds of perinium and vagina, the perineal endodermic sutures can be prevented from scleroma and infections. This method is suggested to be popularized.
Steam turbine load rejection test of typical 1 000 MW unit

The load rejection test is the most direct mean of checking the dynamic characteristics of unit for governing system and auxiliary equipment.Comparing with normal unit,the steam turbine unit of 1 000 MW,made by HTC,has its own characteristics on its load rejection function.The preparation work,main procedure and the result of load rejection test for this unit were illuminated.From viewpoint of control converter logic switchover,abnormal situation occured during the first test of 50%load rejection were analyzed,and the vital function of control converter logic switchover in load rejection test was brought up.This provides reference for the similar units.
Using electromagnetic articulography with a tongue lateral sensor to discriminate manner of articulation

This study examined the contributions of the tongue tip (TT), tongue body (TB), and tongue lateral (TL) sensors in the electromagnetic articulography (EMA) measurement of American English alveolar consonants. Thirteen adults produced /ɹ/, /l/, /z/, and /d/ in /ɑCɑ/ syllables while being recorded with an EMA system. According to statistical analysis of sensor movement and the results of a machine classification experiment, the TT sensor contributed most to consonant differences, followed by TB. The TL sensor played a complementary role, particularly for distinguishing /z/.
Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

Management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head is dependent on the stage of the disease and if there is collapse of the femoral head. Nonoperative management is rarely indicated, whereas core decompression with grafting can be a successful treatment method if used prior to collapse of the femoral head. For cases where subchondral collapse has occurred, total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the treatment of choice.
Lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a systematic review of complication rates.

Structured Abstract Background Context Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a frequently utilized technique for the treatment of lumbar pathology. Despite its overall success, LLIF has been associated with a unique set of complications. However, there has been inconsistent evidence regarding the complication rate of this approach. Purpose To perform a systematic review analyzing the rates of medical and surgical complications associated with LLIF. Study Design Systematic Review Patient Sample 6819 patients who underwent LLIF reported in clinical studies through June 2016. Outcome Measures Frequency of complications within cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, urologic, gastrointestinal, transient neurologic, persistent neurologic, and musculoskeletal/spine (MSK) categories. Methods This systematic review was performed utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant studies that identified rates of any complication following LLIF procedures were obtained from PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases. Articles were excluded if they did not report complications, presented mixed complication data from other procedures, or were characterized as single case reports, reviews, or case series containing less than 10 patients. The primary outcome was frequency of complications within cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, urologic, gastrointestinal, transient neurologic, persistent neurologic, and musculoskeletal/spine (MSK) categories. All rates of complications were based on the sample sizes of studies that mentioned the respective complications. The authors report no conflicts of interest directly or indirectly related to this work, and have not received any funds in support of this work. Results A total of 2232 articles were identified. Following screening of title, abstract, and full text availability, 63 articles were included in the review. There were a total 6819 patients with 11325 levels fused. The rate of complications for the categories included were as follows: wound (1.38%; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00-1.85%), cardiac (1.86%; CI=1.33-2.52%), vascular (0.81%; CI=0.44-1.36%), pulmonary (1.47; CI=0.95-2.16%), gastrointestinal (1.38%; CI=1.00-1.87%), urologic (0.93%; CI=0.55-1.47%), transient neurologic (36.07%; CI=34.74-37.41%), persistent neurologic (3.98%; CI=3.42-4.60%), and MSK/Spine (9.22%; CI=8.28-10.23%). Concluson The current study is the first to comprehensively analyze the complication profile for LLIFs. The most significant reported complications were transient neurologic in nature. However, persistent neurologic complications occurred at a much lower rate, bringing into question the significance of transient symptoms beyond the immediate postoperative period. Through this analysis of complication profiles, surgeons can better understand the risks and expectations for patients following LLIF procedures.
Biomaterial characterization of off-the-shelf decellularized porcine pericardial tissue for use in prosthetic valvular applications.

Fixed pericardial tissue is commonly used for commercially available xenograft valve implants, and has proven durability, but lacks the capability to remodel and grow. Decellularized porcine pericardial tissue has the promise to outperform fixed tissue and remodel, but the decellularization process has been shown to damage the collagen structure and reduce mechanical integrity of the tissue. Therefore, a comparison of uniaxial tensile properties was performed on decellularized, decellularized-sterilized, fixed, and native porcine pericardial tissue versus native valve leaflet cusps. The results of non-parametric analysis showed statistically significant differences (p .05). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that valvular endothelial and interstitial cells colonized the decellularized pericardial surface when seeded and grown for 30 days in static culture. Collagen assays and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed limited reductions in collagen with processing; yet glycosaminoglycan assays showed great reductions in the processed pericardium relative to native cusps. Decellularized pericardium had comparatively low mechanical properties among the groups studied; yet the stiffness was comparatively similar to the native cusps and demonstrated a lack of cytotoxicity. Suture retention, accelerated wear, and hydrodynamic testing of prototype decellularized and decell-sterilized valves showed positive functionality. Sterilized tissue could mimic valvular mechanical environment in vitro, therefore making it a viable potential candidate for off-the-shelf tissue-engineered valvular applications.
High-order moment-matching MOR with impedance boundaries for signal integrity analysis

This paper presents an extension of high-order moment-matching model order reduction to frequency-dependent impedance boundary conditions. Such boundary conditions are essential for accurately and efficiently modeling conductors at high frequency, where skin effect is significant. These boundary conditions involve complicated transcendental functions, whereas previous MOR methods assume polynomial dependence. Automatic differentiation is used to easily and accurately calculate the higher derivatives of such functions. Substantial improvement is shown, not only compared to discrete frequency sweeps, but also compared to non-moment-matching S matrix interpolation.
Demo Abstract: Implementing SNOW on Commercial Off-The-Shelf Devices

The recently proposed Sensor Network over White spaces (SNOW) has gained interest due to the availability and advantages of TV spectrum. SNOW is the first highly scalable Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) over TV white spaces technology providing reliable, asynchronous, bi-directional, and concurrent communication between numerous sensors and a base station (BS). In this demonstration, we introduce our SNOW design and showcase the communication between multiple SNOW nodes and the BS.
In vitro interactions of histones and α-crystallin.

Abstract The aggregation of crystallins in lenses is associated with cataract formation. We previously reported that mutant crystallins are associated with an increased abundance of histones in knock-in and knockout mouse models. However, very little is known about the specific interactions between lens crystallins and histones. Here, we performed in vitro analyses to determine whether α-crystallin interacts with histones directly. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed a strong histone–α-crystallin binding with a Kd of 4 × 10−7 M, and the thermodynamic parameters suggested that the interaction was both entropy and enthalpy driven. Size-exclusion chromatography further showed that histone–α-crystallin complexes are water soluble but become water insoluble as the concentration of histones is increased. Right-angle light scattering measurements of the water-soluble fractions of histone–α-crystallin mixtures showed a decrease in the oligomeric molecular weight of α-crystallin, indicating that histones alter the oligomerization of α-crystallin. Taken together, these findings reveal for the first time that histones interact with and affect the solubility and aggregation of α-crystallin, indicating that the interaction between α-crystallin and histones in the lens is functionally important.
Developing titanium micro/nano porous layers on planar thin/tunable LGDLs for high-efficiency hydrogen production

Abstract Proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells (PEMECs) have been considered one of the most promising devices for hydrogen generation and energy storage from water splitting, especially when coupled with sustainable energy resources. Microporous layers (MPLs), which have been widely used in fuel cells for better catalyst access and product/reactant removal, have limited investigations in PEMECs due to harsh environments and carbon corrosion. In this study, the MPLs with both irregular micro (∼5 μm) and spherical nano (30–50 nm) titanium particles are developed on novel thin/tunable liquid/gas diffusion layers (TT-LGDLs) and are investigated comprehensively both in-situ and ex-situ for the first time. The MPLs change the wettability of the TT-LGDLs and show super hydrophobic property. The results reveal that micro particle MPLs exhibit improved catalytic activity but increased ohmic resistances, and that nano particle MPLs do not impact catalytic activity meaningfully but exhibit even greater increases in ohmic resistance. The effects of the thickness of the MPLs are also investigated and the typical MPL is also studied by in-situ visualization in a transparent PEMEC with a high-speed and micro-scale visualization system (HMVS). The results indicate the strong feasibility of the TT-LGDLs with small pore size and large porosity for high-efficiency and low-cost PEMEC practical applications.
Cotton wool spots in AIDS: a review.

BACKGROUND Cotton wool spots (CWS) result from infarctions of the retinal nerve fiber layer and are seen in a variety of clinical conditions. Most patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, the agent that causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), demonstrate CWS at some point during their illness. CWS are the most prevalent ocular manifestation found in persons with AIDS. METHODS A review of the literature was conducted and interpreted to merge a variety of scientific data and clinical studies into a discussion of the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical significance and patient management approaches in patients with AIDS who have CWS. RESULTS Numerous studies demonstrate a relationship between CWS in patients with low CD4+ lymphocyte cell counts (< 50-100/mm3 of blood), the risk for HIV disease progression, and the development of opportunistic diseases. CONCLUSIONS While the overall clinical significance of CWS in AIDS is still evolving, it appears that CWS in healthy HIV positive patients have relatively little clinical significance. However, present data suggests that CWS in patients with very low CD4+ counts and advanced HIV disease is a negative prognostic sign. Therefore, CWS in profoundly immunosuppressed patients with low CD4+ counts should alert the optometrist to follow the patient closely.
Golgi apparatus inheritance

The Golgi apparatus is a membrane-bound organelle found in essentially all eukaryotic cells, including plants, animals, and fungi. The Golgi stack, with its arrangement of flattened cisternae with fenestrated rims, is the most unique feature of this organelle (Ladinsky et al. 1999). In most single cell low eukaryotes, each cell has one single Golgi stack (Shorter and Warren 2002); in plants and Drosophila, multiple copies of Golgi stacks are scattered throughout the entire cytosol (Nebenfuhr and Staehelin 2001; Segui-Simarro and Staehelin 2006; Stanley et al. 1997). This is in contrast to mammalian cells, where stacks are often interconnected to form a ribbon-like structure, which is localized adjacent to the nucleus (Ladinsky et al. 1999; Rambourg et al. 1987).
Life and statistical legacy of Charles Hugo Kummell

SummaryEuropean statistical research flourished in the years 1770 to 1850 whereas statistical research in the United States did not develop fully until the latter half of the nineteenth century. The establishment of the United States Coast Survey, the Lake Survey, and the Nautical Almanac in 1807, 1841, and 1849, respectively, encouraged the rapid advancement of interest in statistics and the development of statistical methods. It was pioneered by Robert Adrain, Benjamin Peirce, his son Charles Sanders Peirce, Simon Newcomb, and Erastus Lyman De Forest, whose work is well researched. In this article we focus on life and the statistical accomplishments of Charles Hugo Kummell, a statistician for the Lake Survey and the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, and an active member of the Philosophical Society of Washington. We describe his research into laws of errors of observations and his contributions to the development of the least-squares method.
Leadership Analysis: Southwest Airlines - Herb Kelleher, CEO

This paper will analyze and evaluate the behavioral (people oriented) leadership styles of the legendary Herb Kelleher, former CEO of Southwest Airlines (SWA). The researcher will provide details from 1971 – 2008, outlining SWA successes from a regional air carrier to a global competitor under the leadership of Herb Kelleher. The paper will also include the company overview, SWA business model, highlights of the company, global challenges, global leadership, leadership approaches, changing of the guard, and conclusion. For the transition of power, key findings will examine the next leader of Southwest Airlines.
Comparing Prognostic Utility of a Single-marker Immunohistochemistry Approach with Commercial Gene Expression Profiling Following Radical Prostatectomy

Abstract Background Despite the availability of numerous genomic predictors of prostate cancer (PCa) outcome, few comparative studies have been performed. Objective To compare the prognostic utility of previously validated immunohistochemical (IHC) markers with an expression-based cell-cycle progression (CCP) score. Design, setting, and participants We identified 424 men with localized PCa treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). IHC analysis was performed using a tissue microarray to examine the expression status of PTEN, Ki-67, and ERG compared with previously calculated CCP scores derived from 31 genes normalized to 15 housekeeper genes. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Associations of IHC status and CCP scores, adjusted for clinical and pathologic characteristics were performed using Cox regression and competing risks regression to examine risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR), and metastasis or PCa-specific mortality (PCSM). We compared models using concordance index (c-index) testing. Intervention RP. Results and limitations Median age at treatment was 59 yr, and patients were followed for a median of 114 mo after RP. By 10 yr after RP, 27% experienced BCR and 4% developed metastasis or PCSM. In a multivariable model adjusted for Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment score (CAPRA-S), CCP was associated with risks of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–2.11) and metastasis/PCSM (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.36–3.39). PTEN loss was not associated with recurrence but was associated with metastasis/PCSM (HR 5.26, 95% CI 2.57–10.7), adjusted for CAPRA-S. The c-index for models consisting of PTEN status and CAPRA-S was similar (0.80) for risk of metastasis/PCSM when compared with CCP and CAPRA-S (0.81). Integration of Ki-67 and ERG status did not improve the c-index relative to CAPRA-S and PTEN alone. Conclusions PTEN status offered comparable discrimination of the risk of metastasis or death from PCa relative to a commercial RNA amplification-based CCP assay. Efforts are warranted to reduce the cost of PCa prognostic tools in order to expand access. Patient summary We compared a commercial genomic signature and the expression status of single genes to predict outcomes in men with prostate cancer who were treated with surgical removal. When accounting for clinical information about the patient's cancer, the status of the PTEN gene alone matched a multigene panel to predict which patient's cancer would metastasize or lead to death from the disease.
Towards Group-Activities Based Community Detection

Mobile-phone based activity recognition has been successfully applied to many useful scenarios like measuring the 'calories burnt' by a person. Unlike activities that are performed by a person alone, many activities are performed in a group-setting for example 'classroom teaching'. Because people often make friends with whom they are together, it's natural to look for communities in which people are engaged in similar physical-activities. Automated ways to learn such communities involve fusing physical-sensor-data from multiple users and hence, is a challenging problem. In this research, we measured physical-activities of seventy-two students located on two different university campuses for ten days. Using this data, we propose a model to detect communities based on similar physical-activities. Detecting such communities could be of great use e.g. it allows to invite new members who could be interested in similar activities and find those members who are in the community but are not actively engaged.
Examining Cfrp Laminate Layup with Contact-Mode Ultrasonic Measurements:

This letter describes contact-mode ultrasonic measurements for evaluating the layup configuration of cross-plied CFRP laminates, particularly the [0m/90n]l layup. Polarization and velocity of shear...
Abstract 794: Inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism by a novel agent targeting RUNX2-DNA binding in breast cancer

The RUNX2 transcription factor promotes breast cancer growth and metastasis through interactions with a variety of cofactors that activate or repress target genes. RUNX2 knockdown decreases expression levels of glycolytic genes such as LDHA, HK2 and GLUT-1, but upregulates PDHA1 mRNA level and enzymatic activity, which is consistent with lower glycolytic potential. Using a direct computer-assisted drug discovery (CADD) approach, we identified CADD522 as a small molecule that inhibits the RUNX2-DNA binding, transcriptional activity of RUNX2, and expression of RUNX2 target genes. We also observed that CADD522 inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis using in vitro and in vivo tumor models. RUNX2-activated glucose utilization and GLUT-1 levels were also reduced by CADD522. New data also define CADD522 as a potential antitumor agent that downregulates the levels of metabolites in the TCA cycle and inhibits mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates. Our results support the observations that CADD522 could regulate cellular metabolism through modulation of both glycolytic metabolism and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. To address the mechanisms by which CADD522 exerts its inhibitory effects on mitochondrial metabolism, we performed RNA-Sequencing analysis in breast cancer cells and identified several specific molecular signatures that determine cellular response to RUNX2 and CADD522. Further pathway changes in mitochondrial function as well as validation of differentially expressed genes that play critical roles in mitochondrial metabolism are under investigation. Citation Format: Myoung Sook Kim, Ramkishore Gernapudi, Yessenia C. Cedeno, Brian M. Polster, Geoffrey D. Girnun, Antonino Passaniti. Inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism by a novel agent targeting RUNX2-DNA binding in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 794.
Litigating Across the Color Line: Civil Cases Between Black and White Southerners from the End of Slavery to Civil Rights: by Melissa Milewski, New York: Oxford University Press, 2017, Pp. 360, $35.00 (hbk), $23.99 (e-book), ISBN 9780190249182, ISBN 9780190249205

Litigating Across the Color Line demonstrates that African American experiences in the judicial system “were deeper and more complicated than the courts simply denying them rights” (p. 2). By focus...
Deep Learning and Thresholding with Class-Imbalanced Big Data

Class imbalance is a regularly occurring problem in machine learning that has been studied extensively over the last two decades. Various methods for addressing class imbalance have been introduced, including algorithm-level methods, datalevel methods, and hybrid methods. While these methods are well studied using traditional machine learning algorithms, there are relatively few studies that explore their application to deep neural networks. Thresholding, in particular, is rarely discussed in the deep learning with class imbalance literature. This paper addresses this gap by conducting a systematic study on the application of thresholding with deep neural networks using a Big Data Medicare fraud data set. We use random oversampling (ROS), random under-sampling (RUS), and a hybrid ROS-RUS to create 15 training distributions with varying levels of class imbalance. With the fraudulent class size ranging from 0.03%–60%, we identify optimal classification thresholds for each distribution on random validation sets and then score the thresholds on a 20% holdout test set. Through repetition and statistical analysis, confidence intervals show that the default threshold is never optimal when training data is imbalanced. Results also show that the optimal threshold outperforms the default threshold in nearly all cases, and linear models indicate a strong linear relationship between the minority class size and the optimal decision threshold. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide statistical results that describe optimal classification thresholds for deep neural networks over a range of class distributions.
Vertical Contracts with Endogenous Product Selection: An Empirical Analysis of Vendor-Allowance Contracts

Producers frequently provide retailers with financial incentives to secure distribution of their products. These payments often take the form of vendor allowances: lump-sum transfers to retailers that do not directly depend on quantity sold. I study equilibrium effects of vendor allowances when retailers' product selections are endogenous and vertical contracts are unobserved. I introduce an estimation strategy that uses rich information from observed product selections to inform us about lump-sum payments. Vendor allowances are estimated as the payments needed to rationalize observed assortments. For the empirical analysis, estimates imply that these transfers are important for retailers' profitability, corresponding to about 20% of retailers' variable profits. A counterfactual that restricts firms to only contract on wholesale prices predicts that lump-sum payments incentivize retailers to adjust their product selections. In the absence of vendor payments, total surplus increases because previously excluded low-cost products enter the market.
Public-Private Partnership: Risk Allocation in Different International Markets

The principal intent of this paper is to address the issue of risk allocation in the public-private partnerships with reference to previous studies. The author performs a methodological analysis about the state of the art and in the end proposes a summary table whose goal is to critically order the scientific production in this regard. It is clearly a research activity driven by the desire to circumstantiate and collect, almost fixing its contents, the scientific assets related to risk allocation in the public-private partnerships. Moreover, the result presented is a possible starting point for subsequent investigations, with reference to case studies, where the specificity of each project will be the reason for discussion and study (of Galilean-inspired) and possibly subsequent revisions and investigations of the assumptions proposed in this paper.
Parotidectomy Defect and Facial Nerve Reconstruction

Parotidectomy defect reconstruction requires an understanding of facial form and function. The main goals for the reconstructive surgeon include restoring facial contour and symmetry with stable tissue volumes, avoiding Frey’s syndrome, ensuring adequate skin coverage, and providing reconstruction of the facial nerve functional deficit. There are many reconstructive options available, and here we discuss strategies for addressing defects created by the superficial parotidectomy, total parotidectomy, and radical parotidectomy.
Pneumonia por Chlamydia psittaci: Um Caso Clínico

Psittacosis, also known as ornithosis, is a condition, caused by Chlamydia psittaci, which usually causes both prominent systemic manifestations and respiratory symptoms. This condition is transmitted to the vast majority of humans by psittaciformes birds.In this article, we describe a clinical case of a 50-year-old patient, working in an agro-poultry warehouse, who was observed three times due to dyspnea, dry cough, chest pain, general tiredness and fever. Only after she have been submitted to additional tests, the diagnosis of pneumonia to Chlamydia psittaci was revealed.With this case we aim to stress the fundamental role played by an adequate anamnesis and her importance for a successful diagnosis and concomitant targeted therapy.
A Novel Computational Proxy for Characterizing Cognitive Reserve in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background Although the abnormal depositions of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), converging evidence shows that the individual's neurodegeneration trajectory is regulated by the brain's capability to maintain normal cognition. Objective The concept of cognitive reserve has been introduced into the field of neuroscience, acting as a moderating factor for explaining the paradoxical relationship between the burden of AD pathology and the clinical outcome. It is of high demand to quantify the degree of conceptual cognitive reserve on an individual basis. Methods We propose a novel statistical model to quantify an individual's cognitive reserve against neuropathological burdens, where the predictors include demographic data (such as age and gender), socioeconomic factors (such as education and occupation), cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and AD-related polygenetic risk score. We conceptualize cognitive reserve as a joint product of AD pathology and socioeconomic factors where their interaction manifests a significant role in counteracting the progression of AD in our statistical model. Results We apply our statistical models to re-investigate the moderated neurodegeneration trajectory by considering cognitive reserve, where we have discovered that 1) high education individuals have significantly higher reserve against the neuropathology than the low education group; however, 2) the cognitive decline in the high education group is significantly faster than low education individuals after the level of pathological burden increases beyond the tipping point. Conclusion We propose a computational proxy of cognitive reserve that can be used in clinical routine to assess the progression of AD.
Peripheral-to-central ratio of Guttae: validity and reliability of an objective method to characterize severity of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy

Common methods of measuring severity of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) are limited in objectivity, reliability, or start with a variable baseline that prevents distinguishing healthy from affected eyes. The aim of this study was to describe a method of grading FECD that overcomes these limitations. Fifteen patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy were included in the study. Guttae were imaged with a slit lamp beam 8 mm tall; the bottom 4 mm half of each image was divided into two equally-sized sections. Guttae were counted by four independent graders blinded to disease severity scores. The peripheral:central guttae ratio was compared to modified Krachmer clinical severity scores. The peripheral:central guttae ratio was compared between mild (severity 0.5–3) versus moderate-to-severe (severity 4–5) disease. Receiver operating characteristics defined optimal ratio cutoffs for mild versus moderate-to-severe disease. Increased peripheral guttae and peripheral:central guttae ratio correlated with Krachmer severity (p = 0.021 and p = 0.009, respectively). The difference between mild and moderate-to-severe cases for the peripheral:central guttae ratio was significant (p < 0.001). Inter-rater reliability of total guttae count was high (coefficient = 0.82, p < 0.001). A peripheral:central guttae ratio of 0.16 was the ideal cut-off point (area under the curve = 0.79, sensitivity = 0.78, and specificity = 0.80). In this pilot study, the peripheral:central ratio of guttae correlates with subjective clinical severity of Fuchs dystrophy. It starts at a common baseline, has good inter-rater reliability, does not require dilation, and can be conducted with a smartphone and slit-lamp.
Food insecurity during COVID-19: A multi-state research collaborative

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on the global food system, supply chain, and employment, which, in turn, has created numerous challenges to food access and food security. Early exploratory studies suggest significant increases in food insecurity in the United States. Comprehensive longitudinal research across multiple locations is needed to understand the range of impacts and responses at the household level and to improve preparedness for future events. This protocol paper outlines the formation of the National Food Access and COVID research Team (NFACT), a collaborative, interdisciplinary, multi-state research effort that will utilize common measurement tools, codebooks, code, data aggregation tools, and outreach materials to collectively examine and communicate the effect of COVID-19 on household food access and security. NFACT is led by an executive committee of researchers from four institutions, with additional NFACT collaborating institutions across more than a dozen states. A survey was developed by the NFACT executive team in March 2020, with additional refinements in May 2020, using both existing validated questions and new original questions, which were piloted and validated in Vermont. The project provides suggestive guidance for recruitment, and is designed to allow each study site to adopt recruitment strategies that meet their budget and needs. Primary outcomes of interest include food security status, employment status, food access challenges and concerns, dietary intake, and use of food assistance programs. Additional outcomes assess emotional eating, stigma, COVID-19 perceptions and experiences, and pro-environmental purchasing behaviors. This protocol and the establishment of NFACT provide important advancements in COVID-19 and food security research by generating harmonized data and assessing comparable outcomes across geographies and time. The collaborative, open-source approach makes research tools available to teams who might not have the resources to design their own tools, and can enable streamlined data collection, large-scale comparative analyses, and cost savings through reduced administrative tasks. The project has contributed to building new networks between and within states. Enabling facilitation and implementation of instruments in study sites has provided flexibility and meaningful opportunity for local stakeholder engagement and relevant outreach for informed public health decision-making.
To cut or to fill: a global optimization approach to topological simplification

We present a novel algorithm for simplifying the topology of a 3D shape, which is characterized by the number of connected components, handles, and cavities. Existing methods either limit their modifications to be only cutting or only filling, or take a heuristic approach to decide where to cut or fill. We consider the problem of finding a globally optimal set of cuts and fills that achieve the simplest topology while minimizing geometric changes. We show that the problem can be formulated as graph labelling, and we solve it by a transformation to the Node-Weighted Steiner Tree problem. When tested on examples with varying levels of topological complexity, the algorithm shows notable improvement over existing simplification methods in both topological simplicity and geometric distortions.
SmartWiFi: Universal and Secure Smart Contract-Enabled WiFi Hotspot

WiFi hotspots often suffer from mediocre security, unreliable performance, limited access, and cumbersome authentication procedure. Specifically, public WiFi hotspots can rarely guarantee satisfactory speed and uptime, and their configuration often requires a complicated setup with subscription to a payment aggregator. Moreover, paid hotspots can neither protect clients against low quality or non-service after prepayment, nor do they provide an adequate defense against misuse by the clients. In this paper, we propose SmartWiFi, a universal, secure, and decentralized WiFi hotspot that can be deployed in any public or private environment. SmartWiFi provides cross-domain authentication, fully automated accounting and payments, and security assurance for both hotspots and clients. SmartWiFi utilizes a novel off-chain transaction scheme called Hash Chain-based Network Connectivity Satisfaction Acknowledgement (Hansa), which enables fast and low-cost provider-client protocol by restricting otherwise unacceptable delays and fees associated with blockchain interaction. In addition, we present DupSet, a dynamic user-perceived speed estimation technique, which can reliably evaluate the quality of Internet connection from the users’ perspective. We design and implement SmartWiFi desktop and mobile apps using an Ethereum smart contract. With extensive experimental evaluation, we demonstrate that SmartWiFi exhibits rapid execution with low communication overhead and reduced fees.
Serotonin modulates Campylobacter jejuni physiology and invitro interaction with the gut epithelium

Abstract Microbial endocrinology, which is the study of neurochemical-based host–microbe interaction, has demonstrated that neurochemicals affect bacterial pathogenicity. A variety of neurochemicals, including norepinephrine, were shown to enhance intestinal epithelial colonization by Campylobacter jejuni. Yet, little is known whether serotonin, an abundant neurochemical produced in the gut, affects the physiology of C. jejuni and its interaction with the host gut epithelium. Considering the avian gut produces serotonin and serves as a major reservoir of C. jejuni, we sought to investigate whether serotonin can affect C. jejuni physiology and gut epithelial colonization in vitro. We first determined the biogeographical distribution of serotonin concentrations in the serosa, mucosa, as well as the luminal contents of the broiler chicken ileum, cecum, and colon. Serotonin concentrations were greater (P 0.05) or motility (P > 0.05) of C. jejuni. Next, we utilized liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to investigate whether serotonin affected the proteome of C. jejuni. Serotonin caused (P 0.05). Together, we have identified a potential role for serotonin in modulating C. jejuni colonization in the gut in vitro. Further studies are required to understand the practical implications of these findings for the control of C. jejuni enteric colonization in vivo.