cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ion release from a novel orthodontic resin bonding agent for the reduction and/or prevention of white spot lesions. An in vitro study.

Abstract Objective: To measure ion release from four sol-gel bioactive glass–containing orthodontic resin bonding agents (BAG-Bonds) following immersion into simulated body fluid (SBF) at pH values of 4 and 7. Materials and Methods: Four BAG-Bonds, two containing fluoride, were developed. Prepared in our laboratory, the BAG-Bonds were composed of a mixture of resin monomers and bioactive glasses (BAGs). Workability of the final BAG-Bonds determined the amount of filler added to each, and this varied according to BAG composition. Commercially available Transbond-XT was used as the control. Three disks (10 mm × 2 mm) of each material were individually suspended in 3.5 mL of SBF at pH 4 and pH 7. SBF was analyzed to measure pH and ions released at 1 hour, 10 hours, and 100 hours. Calcium was measured by atomic absorption analysis, phosphate by ultraviolet visible spectrometry, and fluoride by an ion-specific electrode. The data were compared using a three-way analysis of variance, with P ≤ .05. Results: Sign...
Neuromuscular mechanisms of burrow irrigation in the echiuroid worm Urechis caupo Fisher & Macginitie. I. Anatomy of the neuromuscular system and activity of intact animals.

1. The anatomy of the muscular and nervous systems of Urechis is described. 2. An apparatus is described whereby it is possible to record the parameters of the peristaltic waves used in irrigating the tube. 3. Urechis is continuously active and shows no periodicity under conditions of constant temperature. About 1280 peristaltic waves are initiated, and about 29 l. of water are moved, in 24 hr.
Segmenting the Small Business Market for Bank Services

A research study was undertaken of a random sample of 402 small businesses in a midwestern city with a population of approximately 200,000. The survey was designed to examine the status of banks as sources of financial information for small businesses.
Vehicle road departure detection using anomalies in dynamics

This research investigates the viability of detecting vehicle road departure via the measurements of anomalies in vehicle dynamics, especially under conditions when left and right tires experience imbalance of forces (split-μ condition). This approach is based on established low-order vehicle models to facilitate real-time implementation. Vehicle states are obtained from an INS system to obtain real-time estimates of model agreement with measured data obtained from a steer-by-wire experimental test vehicle (P1). Experimental maneuvers were conducted on various surface conditions, including four tires on dry asphalt, the two passenger tires on a low-friction patch, and all four tires on a low-friction surface. These vehicle states and steering moments were recorded from INS systems and torque transducers, in an effort to identify normal and abnormal driving modes. Results at high speeds show a yawrate mismatch between model and experimental measurements that gives a large enough signal-to-noise ratio to allow detection using anomalies in dynamics, whereas at lower speeds measurements of steering torque may be additionally needed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. A combination of steering torque and yawrate measurements is needed to obtain comprehensive information to allow detection and determination of road departure events.
Exploring the influence of celebrities in politics: A focus group study of young voters

ABSTRACTA focus group study was conducted examining the way young voters interpret and make sense of celebrity influence in politics. Eight focus groups discussed the credibility and influence of celebrities when they speak on political and social issues. Findings suggest that young people have a complex interpretation of celebrity influence. Celebrity type, general credibility, identification with, and appropriateness to an issue were all key components in evaluating celebrity political credibility. Perceived influence of celebrities manifested in a greater interest in an issue but not necessarily an attitude change. There was a high degree of perceived influence on others; this was not always regarded positively. Social media was the primary medium for consumption of celebrity political appeals. An interweaving of all key themes suggests that young voters use aspirational identification and attachment to a celebrity to negotiate political messages. Normative implications and guidance for future research...
Pneumococcal Neuraminidase A (NanA) Promotes Biofilm Formation and Synergizes with Influenza A Virus in Nasal Colonization and Middle Ear Infection

Even in the vaccine era, Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) remains a leading cause of otitis media, a significant public health burden, in large part because of the high prevalence of nasal colonization with the pneumococcus in children. The primary pneumococcal neuraminidase, NanA, which is a sialidase that catalyzes the cleavage of terminal sialic acids from host glycoconjugates, is involved in both of these processes. Coinfection with influenza A virus, which also expresses a neuraminidase, exacerbates nasal colonization and disease by S. pneumoniae, in part via the synergistic contributions of the viral neuraminidase. The specific role of its pneumococcal counterpart, NanA, in this interaction, however, is less well understood. We demonstrate in a mouse model that NanA-deficient pneumococci are impaired in their ability to cause both nasal colonization and middle ear infection. Coinfection with neuraminidase-expressing influenza virus and S. pneumoniae potentiates both colonization and infection but not to wild-type levels, suggesting an intrinsic role of NanA. Using in vitro models, we show that while NanA contributes to both epithelial adherence and biofilm viability, its effect on the latter is actually independent of its sialidase activity. These data indicate that NanA contributes both enzymatically and nonenzymatically to pneumococcal pathogenesis and, as such, suggest that it is not a redundant bystander during coinfection with influenza A virus. Rather, its expression is required for the full synergism between these two pathogens.
Modulating Electronic and Optical Properties of Monolayer MoS2 Using Nonbonded Phthalocyanine Molecules

The electronic and optical properties of monolayer molybdenum disulfide (ML-MoS2) can be manipulated by nonsubstitutional doping with macrocyclic organic metallic molecules like titanyl phthalocyanine (TiOPc) or copper phthalocyanine (CuPc). Our density functional theory based calculation reveals a strong noncovalent interaction between metal phthalocyanine (MPc) molecules and ML-MoS2. The adsorption of these molecules results in impurity energy levels in the gap region of ML-MoS2. There exists a considerable charge transfer between MPc molecules and ML-MoS2, which turns ML-MoS2 into a n-type semiconductor. Moreover, both experiment and theoretical results indicate that the adsorption of MPc molecules improves the light absorbance of ML-MoS2 in the entire wavelength range from 400 to 800 nm. Presence of low concentration S vacancy (∼1.67%) in ML-MoS2 has negligible effect on the optical properties and nature of electronic interaction between MPc molecule and ML-MoS2. The implication of the results acquire...
Essential Mathematics for Fuzzy Decision Processes

There are certain mathematical structures that we have used in integrating cost-benefit analysis and the theory of fuzzy decision into a unified theory of decision making. The fuzzy decision theory requires the use of logic and the mathematics of fuzzy processes. The mathematical orientation of the fuzzy processes is currently known as Fuzzy mathematics with its own logic of reasoning and inference. It provides a new mathematical viewpoint that constitutes a well structured body of concepts, techniques, algorithms, and inferential processes that allow crisp conclusions to be derived about fuzzy phenomena. To assist in an easy reference to the body of knowledge relevant to the work done here we shall present the essentials of fuzzy mathematics in this Chapter.
Thermochemical properties of U(VI) hybrid materials containing uranyl tetrachloride anions

Abstract The enthalpies of formation from simpler components of four hybrid materials bearing the [UO 2 Cl 4 ] 2− anion have been measured and compared to that of Cs 2 [(UO 2 )Cl 4 ]. The hybrids contain protonated amines as charge balancing cations that form bifurcated H-bonding interactions with the chloro ligands of the anions. The structure of each material contains similar motifs and the driving force for the formation of the hybrids appears to be the enthalpy of organic cation formation (protonation). The hybrids are energetically much more stable than the corresponding cesium salt without a protonated organic cation.
Kink dynamics in a parametric ϕ 6 system: a model with controllably many internal modes

We explore a variant of the ϕ6 model originally proposed in Phys. Rev. D 12 (1975) 1606 as a prototypical, so-called, “bag” model in which domain walls play the role of quarks within hadrons. We examine the steady state of the model, namely an apparent bound state of two kink structures. We explore its linearization, and we find that, as a function of a parameter controlling the curvature of the potential, an effectively arbitrary number of internal modes may arise in the point spectrum of the linearization about the domain wall profile. We explore some of the key characteristics of kink-antikink collisions, such as the critical velocity and the multi-bounce windows, and how they depend on the principal parameter of the model. We find that the critical velocity exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on the parameter controlling the curvature of the potential. For the multi-bounce windows, we find that their range and complexity decrease as the relevant parameter decreases (and as the number of internal modes in the model increases). We use a modified collective coordinates method [in the spirit of recent works such as Phys. Rev. D 94 (2016) 085008] in order to capture the relevant phenomenology in a semi-analytical manner.
Reconstitution of the Sodium Channel from Electrophorus Electricus

The sodium (Na+) channel that transiently depolarizes nerve and muscle membranes in the initial phase of the action potential (Hodgkin and Huxley, 1952; Cahalan, 1980) is perhaps the archetypical voltage-gated channel. Advances in the biochemical isolation, characterization, and functional reconstitution of Na+− channel proteins from the electroplax of electric fish (Miller et al., 1983; Norman et al., 1983; Rosenberg et al., 1984a, b), mammalian skeletal muscle (Barchi, 1983; Weigele and Barchi, 1982; Tanaka et al., 1983), and mammalian brain (Hartshorne and Catterall, 1984; Talvenheimo et al., 1982; Tamkun et al., 1984) have recently been made (for review, see Agnew, 1984). In addition, the cDNA for the principal peptide component of the electroplax channel has been cloned and sequenced, providing the first extensive information about the primary structure and allowing deductions of the possible secondary and tertiary structure of the protein (Noda et al., 1984). These biochemical, biophysical, and molecular biological approaches, including specific protein chemical modifications, site-specific mutagenesis, electron microscopic structural analysis, and functional reconstitution will provide important insights into the structures and mechanisms of the channel. This chapter concentrates on reconstitution studies with the purified electroplax Na+ channel.
The Oceanic CaCO 3 Cycle

The production, destruction, and preservation of CaCO 3 in the oceans are important processes that directly affect major pathways and reservoirs of the global carbon cycle and, thus, are strongly linked to global climate and environmental conditions. Since the industrial revolution, the oceans have absorbed a significant proportion of the CO 2 released to the atmosphere from human activities. As a result, the seawater acid–base balance has changed in favor of increasing acidity (decreasing pH) and decreasing saturation state with respect to CaCO 3 minerals, and will continue to change as long as CO 2 emissions to the atmosphere keep rising. These ongoing changes in seawater chemistry have collectively been referred to as ocean acidification. Because the production, destruction, and preservation of CaCO 3 are strongly coupled to seawater saturation state with respect to CaCO 3 minerals, continued ocean acidification will undoubtedly impose changes to the contemporary oceanic CaCO 3 cycle. The production of CaCO 3 mainly by calcifying marine organisms could decrease while the destruction by dissolution and bioerosion of carbonate particles, sediments, and structures could increase. This chapter reviews the major processes responsible for the production and destruction of CaCO 3 in the oceans and how these processes will change in response to rising atmospheric CO 2 and ocean acidification.
Pretransplantation Portal Vein Recanalization and Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Chronic Portal Vein Thrombosis: Final Analysis of a 61-Patient Cohort

Abstract Purpose To report the final analysis of the safety and efficacy of portal vein (PV) recanalization (PVR) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation (PVR-TIPS) in patients with PV thrombosis (PVT) in need of liver transplantation. Materials and Methods Sixty-one patients with cirrhosis and PVT underwent PVR-TIPS to improve transplantation candidacy. Median patient age was 58 years (range, 22–75 y), and median pre-TIPS Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 14 (range, 7–42). The most common etiologies of cirrhosis were nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in 18 patients (30%) and hepatitis C in 13 patients (21%). Twenty-seven patients (44%) had partial PVT, and 34 patients (56%) had complete thrombosis. Forty-nine patients (80%) had Yerdel grade 2 PVT, and 12 (20%) had Yerdel grade 3 PVT. Twenty-nine patients (48%) had cavernous transformation of the PV. Results PVR-TIPS was technically successful in 60 of 61 patients (98%). PV/TIPS patency was maintained in 55 patients (92%) at a median follow-up of 19.2 months (range, 0–105.9 mo). Recurrent PV/TIPS thrombosis occurred in 5 patients (8%), all of whom initially presented with complete PVT. The most common adverse events were TIPS stenosis in 13 patients (22%) and transient encephalopathy in 11 patients (18%). Twenty-four patients (39%) underwent transplantation, 23 of whom (96%) received an end-to-end anastomosis. There were no cases of recurrent PVT following transplantation, with a median imaging follow-up of 32.5 months (range, 0.4–75.4 mo). Five-year overall survival rate was 82%. Conclusions PVR-TIPS is a safe, effective, and durable treatment option for patients with chronic PVT who need liver transplantation.
Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies in the Clinical Laboratory.

Immunotherapies are a hot topic, with the potential to affect our understanding of the immune system and treat a diverse array of conditions previously thought untreatable. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)2 are part of this revolution, and around 60 of them are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Clinical chemists are poised for change and are aware of the success of the biologic drugs. The clinical laboratory will have many roles as mAb therapies expand (Fig. 1): identifying potential interferences in routine immunoassays; developing new assays to differentiate a mAb from an endogenous, disease-causing clone; monitoring therapeutic drugs for better patient outcomes; and assessing for the loss of response to therapy that is associated with formation of autoantibodies against the mAb. Fig. 1. The impact of therapeutic mAbs in the laboratory. The clinical laboratory has started to see therapeutic mAbs in patient sera. This may affect a broad array of our activities: mAbs may be found as interferences or an incidental finding of iatrogenic monoclonal gammopathy. As targets, the applications of therapeutic …
Investigation of reactive intermediates during the synthesis of di-n-butylmagnesium

Abstract Dialkylmagnesium compounds (MgR2, R = C2H5, C4H9 etc.,) have drawn considerable interest in recent years due to their role in commercial polymerization reactions. Herein, we report a thorough account on the reaction intermediates involved in the synthesis of di-n-butylmagnesium from anhydrous magnesium chloride and n-butyllithium. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) were used to characterize the products formed in transmetalation reaction and it supports that the Schlenk equilibrium between the nBuMgCl and nBu2Mg may be operating during the synthesis of di-n-butylmagnesium from anhydrous magnesium chloride. 1,4-Dioxane was used to shift the Schlenk equilibrium to form soluble 1,4-dioxane adduct of di-n-butylmagnesium and insoluble MgCl2 based product. PXRD was used to study the transformation of 1,4-dioxane adduct of di-n-butylmagnesium to pure di-n-butylmagnesium.
Lipid Disorders Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease and Nephrotic Syndrome

Based on data from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), there are approximately 25 million patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States. From this astonishing number, roughly 450,000 patients have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring weekly/daily renal replacement therapy. Furthermore, given the prevalence of the causes of CKD, it is expected that the number of patients with ESRD will increase to more than 750,000 by 2020. Treatment of CKD-/ESRD-related complications is associated with significant economic, healthcare, and societal costs, the ramification of which is becoming more and more recognized. Therefore understanding the pathophysiology of CKD and its complications has significant preventive and therapeutic value. It is well known that CKD and proteinuria are associated with significant alterations in lipid metabolism and plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile. These abnormalities can play a substantial role in pathogenesis and progression of renal and cardiovascular disease in this population. There are many different factors which can impact lipid metabolism and contribute to the nature of lipid abnormalities observed in patients with kidney disease. These include preexisting genetic disorders, severity of kidney disease, presence and degree of proteinuria, dietary restrictions, features unique to each type of renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis), renal transplantation, and pharmacologic therapies commonly utilized in this patient population. In this chapter, we will outline the features of dyslipidemia observed in kidney disease, their underlying mechanisms, and potential significance of these observations.
Molecular Approach to Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infection

BACKGROUND Sonicate fluid (SF), a solution derived from vortexing and sonication of explanted cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), is a higher-yield specimen compared with swabs or tissues for culture-based detection of microorganisms associated with CIED infection. Despite this, SF culture fails to identify a causative organism in ~50% of cases. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing of SF and compare it with that of SF culture. METHODS We identified 322 SF specimens from extracted CIEDs and reviewed clinical data for each patient. Subjects were classified as having or not having CIED infection. Cases were subcategorized as culture negative if no significant growth was reported from SF cultures and as culture positive if an organism was detected above predefined thresholds. 16S rRNA PCR/sequencing was performed, with the organisms identified reported according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines for sequence data interpretation. RESULTS A total of 278 SF samples corresponded to infected cases, of which 160 were culture positive and 118 culture negative. The remaining 44 were from noninfected cases, of which 2 were culture positive. Compared with SF culture, the sensitivity of 16S rRNA PCR/sequencing was higher (64% vs 57.5%, P = .003). 16S rRNA PCR/sequencing detected a potential pathogen in 28 of 118 culture-negative cases, identifying staphylococci in the majority (18/28). CONCLUSIONS 16S rRNA PCR/sequencing has higher sensitivity to detect bacteria in SF from extracted CIEDs than does SF culture.
Jan Patočka and Built Space

This chapter traces some of the principal influences of the thought of Edmund Husserl on the Czech philosopher Jan Patocka, with particular emphasis on Husserl’s Ideen I. The phenomenology of Patocka that results is characterized by a strong emphasis on the description of incarnate, bodily existence in the development of the philosophical problem of the natural world. In this spirit, this essay pursues a reflection on an essential dimension of human incarnate existence, namely that it is able to comport itself as an access to the world in the form of something built.
116 ESR1 hotspot mutations in endometrial stromal sacromas may confer hormonal resistance

Objectives Rare low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas (LGESS) may show high-grade morphology in primary or recurrent tumors. These lesions are classified as high-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas (HGESS), which in general are more aggressive and have higher rates of resistance to endocrine therapy than LGESS. The pathogenesis of hormonal resistance in these tumors has yet to be defined. Here we describe two endocrine-resistant HGESS with ESR1hotspot mutations. Methods For case 1, DNA from the primary estrogen receptor (ER)-positive LGESS and two ER-positive HGESS recurrences, and for case 2, DNA from an ER-positive recurrent LGESS and ER-positive HGESS recurrence were subjected to sequencing targeting 468 cancer-related genes. RNA from each case was also evaluated for the presence of gene fusions using ARCHER FusionPlex. Sequencing data were analyzed using state-of-the-art bioinformatics algorithms. Results Both patients received at least two lines of hormonal suppressive therapy including letrozole and megestrol. Cases 1 and 2 harbored JAZF1-PHF1and EPC1-PHF1fusions, respectively. The primary LGESS and the two HGESS recurrences of case 1 shared MST1,KDM5Cand ARID1Bmutations; however in the second HGESS recurrence post endocrine treatment, clonal STK40(R128W) and ESR1hotspot (Y537S) mutations were detected. In contrast, both LGESS and HGESS recurrences of case 2 harbored a LATS2mutation and a clonal ESR1Y537S hotspot mutation. In addition, an HRASQ61R hotspot mutation restricted to the recurrent LGESS was identified. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the ESR1Y537S hotspot mutation in LGESS, either pre-existing or acquired, may be associated with endocrine resistance and/or high-grade transformation in these lesions.
CACNA1S haploinsufficiency confers resistance to New World arenavirus infection.

Understanding the genetics of susceptibility to infectious agents is of great importance to our ability to combat disease. Here, we show that voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are critical for cellular binding and entry of the New World arenaviruses Junin and Tacaribe virus, suggesting that zoonosis via these receptors could occur. Moreover, we demonstrate that α1s haploinsufficiency renders cells and mice more resistant to infection by these viruses. In addition to being more resistant to infection, haploinsufficient cells and mice required a lower dosage of VGCC antagonists to block infection. These studies underscore the importance of genetic variation in susceptibility to both viruses and pharmaceutics.
Frequency of false-positive FISH 1p/19q codeletion in adult diffuse astrocytic gliomas.

Background Oligodendroglioma is genetically defined by concomitant IDH (IDH1/IDH2) mutation and whole-arm 1p/19q codeletion. Codeletion of 1p/19q traditionally evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) cannot distinguish partial from whole-arm 1p/19q codeletion. Partial 1p/19q codeletion called positive by FISH is diagnostically a "false-positive" result. Chromosomal microarray (CMA) discriminates partial from whole-arm 1p/19q codeletion. Herein, we aimed to estimate the frequency of partial 1p/19q codeletion that would lead to a false-positive FISH result. Methods FISH 1p/19q codeletion test probe coordinates were mapped onto Oncoscan CMA data to determine the rate of partial 1p/19q codeletion predicted to be positive by FISH. Diffuse astrocytic gliomas with available CMA data (2015-2018) were evaluated and classified based on IDH1-R132H/ATRX/p53 immunohistochemistry, IDH/TERT promoter targeted sequencing, and/or CMA according to classification updates. Predicted false-positive cases were verified by FISH whenever possible. Results The overall estimated false-positive FISH 1p/19q codeletion rate was 3.6% (8/223). Predicted false positives were verified by FISH in 6 (of 8) cases. False-positive rates did not differ significantly (P = .49) between IDH-mutant (4.6%; 4/86) and IDH-wildtype (2.9%; 4/137) tumors. IDH-wildtype false positives were all WHO grade IV, whereas IDH-mutant false positives spanned WHO grades II-IV. Testing for 1p/19q codeletion would not have been indicated for most false positives based on current classification recommendations. Conclusion Selective 1p/19q codeletion testing and cautious interpretation for conflicting FISH and histopathological findings are recommended to avoid potential misdiagnosis.
Representation stability for the cohomology of the moduli space ℳgn

Let M n be the moduli space of Riemann surfaces of genus g with n labeled marked points. We prove that, for g 2, the cohomology groupsfH i .M n IQ/g 1D1 form a sequence of Sn ‐representations which is representation stable in the sense of Church‐Farb [7]. In particular this result applied to the trivial Sn ‐representation implies rational “puncture homological stability” for the mapping class group Mod n . We obtain representation stability for sequencesfH i .PMod n .M/IQ/g 1D1 , where PMod n .M/ is the mapping class group of many connected orientable manifolds M of dimension d 3 with centerless fundamental group; and for sequences fH i BPDiff n .M/IQ g 1D1 , where BPDiff n .M/ is the classifying space of the subgroup PDiff n .M/ of diffeomorphisms of M that fix pointwise n distinguished points in M . 55T05; 57S05
Tc Behavior in the Basalt-Synthetic Groundwater System as a Function of Temperature and Initial Oxygen Content

Experiments have been completed in the basalt-Tc-doped groundwater sys- tem to quantify the mobility of Tc in the waste package and near field envion- ment in a repository located in basalt. The experiments were completed using a batch sorption technique in which 8 rushed basalt and Tc-doped groundwater were reacted at 85, 100, 125 and 150 °C for periods of time up to 118 days. The water to rock ratio was 10:1 ml/g. In another set of experiments, basalt crushed under anoxic conditions and Tc-doped groundwater were reacted at 85°C at different water to rock ratios (10:3, 20:3, 40:3 and 80:3 ml/g). The rate and percentage of Tc removed from solution increased with increasing temperature and decreasing water to rock ratio. Also, basalt crushed under anoxic conditions removed >87% of Tc from solution at 85°C in 7 days while no Tc was removed from solution with basalt crushed in air at the same temperature after 118 days. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that (1) ferrous iron in basalt phases preferentially consumes oxygen and will not reduce Tcuntil all free oxygen in the system is consumed. Once oxygen is consumed, reduction of Tc is quite rapid. These data indicate that the potential exists in a basalt hydrothermal environment to satisfactorily immobilize Tc. Reliable application of these data will depend on experimental and theoretical estimates of oxygen consumption with time in the waste package environment following repository closure, subsequent saturation and long term hydrothermal reactions.
Single Center Experience in Using Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA and Gene Expression Profiling in Heart Transplantation

Purpose HeartCare [dd-cfDNA (AlloSure) and gene expression profiling (GEP; AlloMap)] in heart transplantation (HT) surveillance provides a unique opportunity to assess allograft injury in conjunction with immune activity. This report describes our single center use of dd-cfDNA and GEP in HT. Methods A cohort of HT patients underwent dd-cfDNA and GEP testing between 1/2020 - 9/2020 (median months post-transplant 31). A GEP ≥34 and dd-cfDNA ≥0.15% were considered elevated. Patients were stratified into 4 groups based on high/low dd-cfDNA and GEP values. We performed an analysis of dd-cfDNA and DSA by Mann-Whitney for nonparametric values (p Results Among 101 HT patients there were 238 dd-cfDNA results (mean 2.4 per pt); 82% paired with GEP. Patients were median 59 years of age, 78% male, 72% Caucasian and 9% PRA >20%. Distribution of HeartCare results are reported. For aggregated groups with high dd-cfDNA there was a greater incidence of DSA (56%) compared to low dd-cfDNA groups (14%). Samples associated with detectable DSA, dd-cfDNA was significantly elevated (median 0.53%; IQR: 0.12-1.65%) compared to samples negative for DSA (median 0.12%; IQR: 0.12-0.14%) (p Conclusion Presence of DSA correlated with elevation in dd-cfDNA may reflect allograft injury. There may be potential immunologic effects of dd-cfDNA on innate and adaptive immunity, that hence contribute to development of DSA. The High dd-cfDNA/ Low GEP group should be evaluated for potential non-HLA DSA that may potentially impact allograft health. Further analyses regarding clinical events and long-term follow up would be valuable.
Crop modeling defines opportunities and challenges for drought escape, water capture, and yield increase using chilling-tolerant sorghum.

Many crop species, particularly those of tropical origin, are chilling sensitive, so improved chilling tolerance can enhance production of these crops in temperate regions. For the cereal crop sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), early planting and chilling tolerance have been investigated for >50 years, but the potential value or tradeoffs of this genotype × management change have not been formally evaluated with modeling. To assess the potential of early planted chilling-tolerant grain sorghum in the central US sorghum belt, we conducted CERES-Sorghum simulations and characterized scenarios under which this change would be expected to enhance (or diminish) drought escape, water capture, and yield. We conducted crop growth modeling for full- and short-season hybrids under rainfed systems that were simulated to be planted in very early (April), early (May 15), and normal (June 15) planting dates over 1986-2015 in four locations in Kansas representative of the central US sorghum belt. Simulations indicated that very early planting will generally lead to lower initial soil moisture, longer growing periods, and higher evapotranspiration. Very early planting is expected to extend the growing period by 20% for short- or full-season hybrids, reduce evaporation during fallow periods, and increase plant transpiration in the two-thirds of years with the highest precipitation (mean > 428 mm), leading to 11% and 7% increase grain yield for short- and full-season hybrids, respectively. Thus, in this major sorghum growing region, very early and early planting could reduce risks of terminal droughts, extend seasons, and increase rotation options, suggesting that further development of chilling-tolerant hybrids is warranted.
The Efficacy of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Mach-V in Formulating Determinates for Pilot Candidate Selection

Researchers in crew resource management have sought to examine the association between personality and effective team leadership in the cockpit environment. In addition, most airlines make at least a subjective effort to assess personality style and decision-making skills by placing pilot candidates through a two or three stage interview process. In an ongoing effort at Auburn University to develop a comprehensive Pilot Candidate Selection Model, the authors’ purpose was to assess the MBTI and the Mach V as psychological instruments in facilitating the screening of pilot applicants through the development of a discriminate function or variant that would be both reliable and consistent. Neither of these instruments has been employed in the past to screen pilot candidates; yet they measure temperament and leadership skill and could prove useful as supporting instruments in the screening process. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator as a construct of personality type and the Mach V scale as a construct of skill in small group manipulation were employed in the survey of ninety-eight United States Air Force officers conducted over a three-year period. Research indicates a significant relationship in success in leadership of small groups and the Mach V scores. The authors were able to derive a discriminate function that proved 93 percent accurate in identifying professional pilots from a randomly selected sample of Air Force officers. The results of this study suggest the potential of the MBTI and the Mach V as supporting instruments in the screening of commercial pilot candidates for hire. The authors recommend extending this study to the commercial air carriers by selecting a test group of flight officers with strong CRM performance in order to validate the potential of the MBTI and the Mach V as instruments potentially useful in the larger effort to identify quality pilot candidates.
Networks in chemistry and physics

Like other physical sciences, the depths of physics and chemistry can be plumbed using networks. Some of the earliest approaches to modeling molecular structures were graph based. The physical arrangement of atoms in matter can also be modeled using graphs. Dynamic graphs can be used to explore phenomena such as phase transitions and percolation. This chapter looks at how graphs are used to model and understand processes in physics. Interestingly enough, the patterns that emerge when modeling phase transitions have shown to occur in graph models of other systems. This chapter also looks at chemical graph models and how they enable certain types of chemistry in silica. Graph concepts introduced include percolation, phase transitions, and graph rewriting.
Controller Design for Robot Tasks Involving Free and Contact Motion

A controller design strategy is proposed for a task entailing both free and contact motion. Position control is developed in free motion. Using impedance control, force control is then added through the contact force feedback loop. A compensator in this feedback loop helps to reach the target impedance when the end-effector is in contact with the environment. Contact force is assumed to be available from a wrist force (and torque) sensor. Since the force sensor signal may contains inertial force also, a Kalman filter is used to extract contact force from the signal. The development is illustrated in three examples.
Global and Dynamic Information Measures for Reliability

In modeling a duration variable, such as the lifetime of an object as it ages, consideration of the age partitions the support of the lifetime distribution progressively and induces truncated distributions for the past and residual lifetimes. Global information measures of the distribution of the entire lifetime do not change with the age, and thus are static. Information measures of the past and residual lifetime distributions are functions of the age, and hence are dynamic. This article presents an overview of the global and dynamic Shannon entropy, Kullback–Leibler information, and mutual information. Examples include information measures for parallel and series systems, proportional hazard, exponential, and Pareto models. Keywords: entropy; exponential; Kullback–Leibler information; mutual information; parallel and series systems; Pareto; proportional hazard; residual life
Scheduling for Server Farms: Approaches and Open Problems

Server farms are ubiquitous in applications ranging from Web server farms to high-performance supercomputing systems to call centers. The popularity of the server farm architecture is understandable, as it allows for increased performance, while being cost-effective and easily scalable. Given the prevalence of server farms, it is surprising that even at this late date so little is understood regarding their performance as compared with their single-server counterpart, particularly with respect to scheduling. Part of the problem is that there are at least three disjoint communities studying scheduling in server farms, including the SIGMETRICS community, the INFORMS community, and the SPAA/STOC/FOCS community, all of which have different approaches and goals. One of our goals in this talk is to make researchers aware of results in these different communities.
Long-term consequences of population growth: technological change natural resources and the environment.

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the long-term implications of population growth and its interaction with technological change, resources utilization, and the environment. The interaction among economic growth, population dynamics, and resource use is complex and the jointly endogenous outcome of the whole process of evolution and development of the economic and social system. While, in the long run, population size and growth may not be a key issue in the process of development, it may be an important issue in the short run. This is so because most of the costs are in short run, while the benefits are enjoyed over longer time scales. As such, population policy may be useful in allowing any benefits to accrue. The theoretical literature on fertility and population growth also needs to be extended to allow for more disaggregated models of household decision-making and for a better integration with the social environment. Most environmental disasters are because of the same types of problems that themselves impede development—inefficient policies, the failure to enforce property rights, or inefficient structures of incentives. It is the interaction of population growth with these that causes it to have its worst effects.
Theory and conceptual design of a high-power highly efficient magnicon at 10 and 20 GHz

It is shown that magnicons can be scaled up to high frequency (X-band and above) at high power and efficiency. Magnicons have an advantage over other slow wave devices in that the structure sizes are comparable to or larger than a wavelength, so RF breakdown should be less of a problem. However, they require higher voltage. The magnicon has the promise of considerably enhancing the technology of efficient high-power high-frequency RF sources. >
The Economics of Agriculture and Agricultural Economics

During this past year those of us who work at Resources for the Future (RFF) were stimulated by the external Research Advisory Committee to identify the most important problems that will face society in the next twenty-five years. The RFF experience provided background for the preparation of this paper. My end objective is to assess agricultural economic's professional posture relative to the environment in which we find ourselves.
Networks as Learning Communities Shaping the Future of Teacher Development

As technology transforms the institutions of society, changing the way that people work, communicate, and learn, schools must accommodate and adapt to these new conditions. Unfortunately, schools and school systems organized bureaucratically have difficulty changing. Educational reform networks are particularly well suited to making use of new technology and institutional arrangements. By their very nature, they are flexible, borderless, and innovative; they are able to create collaborative environments, focus their efforts, and develop agendas that grow and change with their participants. Studying reform networks, collaboratives, partnerships external to schools, and communities inside schools has taught a great deal about the organizational conditions and practices that support and sustain teacher learning over time. Teacher educators who collaborate with, learn from, and make use of the knowledge created by these networks are helping to recreate the meaning of scholarship itself, not only for teachers,...
CD5+ B-CELL NETWORKS

The relationship between precursors for B1 and B2 cells remains controversial. On the basis of recent experimental results, it is highly probable that B1 cells can be generated from the same sources as B2 cells. However, the precursor cell types involved, the microenvironment and the age of donor and recipient may all determine whether B1 cells are generated under the variety of experimental conditions that have been described in the literature. Definition of these influences will be important in understanding the role of B1 cells in autoimmune disease. Further differences in antigen responsiveness, localization and signaling between B1 and B2 cells will also be informative with respect to their roles in antibody production.
The half-lives of 245Cm, 246Cm, 248Cm, 250Cf, 251Cf and 249Cf☆

Abstract The partial α-half-lives of 245 Cm, 246 Cm, 248 Cm, 250 Cf, 251 Cf and 249 Cf have been determined to be 8265 ± 180 yr, 4711 ± 22 yr, (3·84 ± 0·04) 10 5 yr, 13·08 ± 0·09 yr, 900 ± 50 yr, and 352 ± 6 yr respectively. Partial spontaneous fission half-lives of (1·80 ± 0·01) 10 7 yr and (4·22 ± 0·12) 10 6 yr were determined for 246 Cm and 248 Cm, respectively.
An integrated physical and gene map of human distal chromosome 17q24-proximal 17q25 encompassing multiple disease loci.

Genetic mapping studies suggest that a small interval on human chromosome distal 17q24-proximal 17q25 harbors genes involved in sporadic breast and ovarian tumorigenesis and in the autosomal dominant disorders hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy and tylosis with esophageal cancer. Prior to this study, isolated genomic clones and markers were assigned to this interval but integrated physical maps were not available. We improved resolution by isolating 52 additional clones and developing 24 additional markers. Genomic clones spanning distal 17q24-proximal 17q25 were organized into a contig with two gaps that encompassed 14 existing genetic markers, 8 known genes (GALR2, AANAT, ENVL, SFRS2, SEC14L, DNAH17, API4, and TK1), and 11 previously identified expressed sequence tags. This integrated map provides a foundation for identifying additional candidate genes for the disorders mapped to this interval.
Metapopulation analysis indicates native and non‐native fishes respond differently to effects of wildfire on desert streams

Ash flows and flooding associated with wildfires represent important but understudied sources of disturbance for fish populations. Knowledge concerning these disturbances is especially limited for larger streams where warm water species dominate. Fire-related disturbances have been hypothesised to differentially affect native and non-native fishes, although this hypothesis has only been tested for salmonids. The objective of our research was to contrast effects of uncharacteristically large wildfires followed by flooding on metapopulations of native and non-native fishes in the Gila River of southwest New Mexico. Probabilities of occupancy, colonisation and local extinction of fishes were calculated across sites before and during disturbance and were also measured across a broader spatial scale during disturbance to identify potential refuge locations. Occupancy was higher for native fishes than non-natives, but multiple wildfire and flood events increased extinction probabilities of native species. Responses of non-native species to wildfires were mixed; extinction of non-native salmonids increased during disturbance, while extinction of several warm water species remained unchanged or decreased. Several undisturbed sites were poor refugia for natives as they were impacted by non-native piscivores, dewatering, and fragmentation. However, despite exposure to multiple disturbances, sites located in large tributary and valley reaches were consistently occupied by native species, suggesting these habitats provided refugia. We suggest that management actions (forest thinning; prescribed burning) that restore a more natural disturbance regime of small and less severe fires coupled with habitat remediation activities (non-native removal; decreased water withdrawal; improved connectivity) might diminish extinction risk for native fishes exposed to wildfire disturbance.
Higgs boson production and decay in little Higgs models with T-parity

Abstract We study Higgs boson production and decay in a certain class of little Higgs models with T-parity in which some T-parity partners of the Standard Model (SM) fermions gain their masses through Yukawa-type couplings. We find that the Higgs boson production cross section of a 120 GeV Higgs boson at the CERN LHC via gg fusion process at one-loop level could be reduced by about 45%, 35% and 20%, as compared to its SM prediction, for a relatively low new particle mass scale f = 600 , 700 and 1000 GeV, respectively. On the other hand, the weak boson fusion cross section is close to the SM value. Furthermore, the Higgs boson decay branching ratio into di-photon mode can be enhanced by about 35% in small Higgs mass region in certain case, for the total decay width of Higgs boson in the little Higgs model is always smaller than that in the SM.
Polyol synthesis of palladium hydride: bulk powders vs.nanocrystals

Palladium is converted into palladium hydride, beta-PdH(x), in polyol solution using NaBH(4) as a hydrogen source; nanocrystalline Pd reacts to form PdH(x) faster and at lower temperatures than bulk Pd, and can be made to release hydrogen to regenerate Pd.
Special HATs for special occasions: linking histone acetylation to chromatin assembly and gene activation

Post-translational acetylation of the core histone amino-terminal tails has long been associated with both chromatin assembly and the regulation of gene expression. The recent identification and cloning of histone acetyltransferase genes represents a significant breakthrough in our understanding of how specific acetylation states are established. Ongoing characterization of these enzymes and their molecular cohorts supports a direct role for acetylation in a signaling pathway that modulates chromatin structure to create new patterns of transcription.
Relationships between atmospheric circulation and snowpack in the Gunnison River basin, Colorado

Abstract In this study, winter mean 700 mbar height anomalies over the eastern North Pacific Ocean and the western USA are related to variability in snowpack accumulations measured on or about 1 April at 21 snowcourse stations within and near the Gunnison River basin in Colorado. Results indicate that lower than normal snowpack accumulations are primarily associated with positive 700 mbar height anomalies (anomalous anticyclonic circulation) over the western USA. Moist air from the Pacific Ocean is moved to the north of the western USA along the western margin of the anomalous anticyclonic circulation. In contrast, higher than normal snowpack accumulations are associated with negative 700 mbar height anomalies (anomalous cyclonic circulation) over the western USA and over most of the eastern North Pacific Ocean. The anomalous cyclonic circulation over the western USA enhances the movement of moisture from the Pacific Ocean into the southern and central parts of the West. Results also indicate that variability in winter mean 700 mbar height anomalies can explain over 50% of the variability in snowpack accumulations in the Gunnison River basin. The significant linear relationships between 700 mbar height anomalies and snowpack accumulations in the Gunnison River basin can be used in conjunction with general circulation model simulations of 700 mbar height anomalies for future climatic conditions to estimate future snowpack accumulations in the Gunnison River basin.