cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Continual flow pipelines

Increased integration in the form of multiple processor cores on a single die, relatively constant die sizes, shrinking power envelopes, and emerging applications create a new challenge for processor architects. How to build a processor that provides high single-thread performance and enables multiple of these to be placed on the same die for high throughput while dynamically adapting for future applications? Conventional approaches for high single-thread performance rely on large and complex cores to sustain a large instruction window for memory tolerance, making them unsuitable for multi-core chips. We present Continual Flow Pipelines (CFP) as a new non-blocking processor pipeline architecture that achieves the performance of a large instruction window without requiring cycle-critical structures such as the scheduler and register file to be large. We show that to achieve benefits of a large instruction window, inefficiencies in management of both the scheduler and register file must be addressed, and we propose a unified solution. The non-blocking property of CFP keeps key processor structures affecting cycle time and power (scheduler, register file), and die size (second level cache) small. The memory latency-tolerant CFP core allows multiple cores on a single die while outperforming current processor cores for single-thread applications.
Effect of a Genetic Deficiency of Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase on Autoantibody Production by C57BL6 Faslpr Mice

Abstract Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) adds nontemplate coded nucleotides (N additions) between the recombining ends of immunoglobulin and T cell receptor genes. These nucleotides add significant diversity to the Ig and TCR repertoires. Amino acids coded for by these nucleotides play a key role in the binding of self antigens by autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells. To determine the effect of a lack of N additions on autoantibody production, we bred the TdT knockout genotype onto the autoimmune C57BL/6-Faslpr background. TdT-deficient mice had significantly lower sera anti-DNA and rheumatoid factor activity than their TdT-producing littermates. C57BL/6-Faslpr TdT-deficient mice had shorter VH CDR3 regions and fewer VH CDR3 arginines [0.6% versus 4.7%] than their TdT-producing littermates. These data indicate that the absence of TdT limited the production of anti-DNA antibodies and rheumatoid factors in C57BL/6-Faslpr mice, likely due to constraints on Ig diversity secondary to the lack of TdT-derived N additions.
Transport of 8×2.5-Gb/s Wireless Signals over Optical Millimeter Wave through 12 Straight-Line WSSs and 160-km Fiber for Advanced DWDM Metro Networks

We experimentally show the first demonstration of a novel optical-wireless network by using WSS-based ROADMs in advanced DWDM metro networks. 8×2.5-Gb/s wireless signals are successfully transmitted over 160-km fiber with <;1.5-dB penalty in 12-cascaded WSSs networks.
Characterization of a Distinct Host Response Profile to Pneumocystis murina Asci during Clearance of Pneumocystis Pneumonia

Pneumocystis spp. are yeast-like fungi that cause pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) in immunocompromised individuals and exacerbate chronic lung diseases in immunocompetent individuals. The Pneumocystis life cycle includes trophic forms and asci (cyst forms). The cell walls of Pneumocystis asci contain β-1,3-d-glucan, and treatment of PcP with β-1,3-d-glucan synthase inhibitors, such as anidulafungin, results in depletion of asci, but not trophic forms. The pulmonary host response during immune reconstitution (IR)-mediated clearance of PcP in anidulafungin-treated and untreated mice was characterized to identify ascus-specific responses. During IR, similar numbers of trophic forms were present in the anidulafungin-treated and untreated mice; however, asci were only present in the untreated mice. IR resulted in a significant reduction of trophic forms from the lungs in both groups and asci in the untreated group. The presence of asci in untreated mice correlated with increased β-glucan content in the lungs. The untreated mice mounted immune responses associated with a deleterious host inflammatory response, including increased CD8+ T cell influx and expression of macrophage inflammatory response markers. A more robust cellular response was also observed in the untreated mice, with increased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils that were associated with greater lung damage. Markers of a Th17 response were also elevated in the untreated mice. These results suggest that the host mounts unique responses to asci and trophic forms. That these 2 life cycle stages provoked distinct host response profiles has significant implications for clearance and interpretation of the host immune responses to PcP.
Community-based Diabetes Education for Latinos: The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to conduct a diabetes education program delivered by community health workers (CHWs) in community settings and to evaluate its effectiveness in improving glycem...
Social Status Differences among Subgroups of LD Boys

The present study examined the sociometric status of subgroups of learning disabled (LD) boys. Groups were based on differences in Verbal IQ/Performance IQ patterns on the WISC-R: V > P (n = 12); P > V (n = 26); and V = P (n = 27). Data were also available for a normal control group (n = 252). Peer nominations of popularity, rejection, and behavioral problems as well as teacher ratings of externalizing behaviors were collected for each subject. Results indicated that, relative to controls, the boys in the V = P group were most often rejected by their peers and were perceived to be more aggressive than participants in the other two LD groups. Additionally, boys in the P > V and V = P groups were significantly less popular than normal controls. In contrast, boys in the V > P group were found to exhibit few peer-relations problems. These results suggest that not all LD boys are at equal risk for peer problems, and that their pattern of scores on cognitive tests may offer insight in to factors that could acco...
Role of Conserved Histidine Residues in the Low-pH Dependence of the Semliki Forest Virus Fusion Protein

A wide variety of enveloped viruses infects cells by taking advantage of the low pH in the endocytic pathway to trigger virus-membrane fusion. For alphaviruses such as Semliki Forest virus (SFV), acidic pH initiates a series of conformational changes in the heterodimeric virus envelope proteins E1 and E2. Low pH dissociates the E2/E1 dimer, releasing the membrane fusion protein E1. E1 inserts into the target membrane and refolds to a trimeric hairpin conformation, thus driving the fusion reaction. The means by which E1 senses and responds to low pH is unclear, and protonation of conserved E1 histidine residues has been proposed as a possible mechanism. We tested the role of four conserved histidines by mutagenesis of the wild-type (wt) SFV infectious clone to create virus mutants with E1 H3A, H125A, H331A, and H331A/H333A mutations. The H125A, H331A, and H331A/H333A mutants had growth properties similar to those of wt SFV and showed modest change or no change in the pH dependence of virus-membrane fusion. By contrast, the E1 H3A mutation produced impaired virus growth and a markedly more acidic pH requirement for virus-membrane fusion. The dissociation of the H3A heterodimer and the membrane insertion of the mutant E1 protein were comparable to those of the wt in efficiency and pH dependence. However, the formation of the H3A homotrimer required a much lower pH and showed reduced efficiency. Together, these results and the location of H3 suggest that this residue acts to regulate the low-pH-dependent refolding of E1 during membrane fusion.
Elevated CO2 effects on mesophyll conductance and its consequences for interpreting photosynthetic physiology

Mesophyll conductance ( g m ) generally correlates with pho- tosynthetic capacity, although the causal relationship between the two is unclear. The response of g m to various CO 2 regimes was measured to determine its relationship to environmental changes that affect photosynthesis. The overall effect of CO 2 growth environment on g m was species and experiment dependent. The data did not statistically differ from the previously shown A - g m relationship and was unaffected by CO 2 treatment. The consequences of the CO 2 effect on g m for interpreting photosynthesis in individual cases were investigated. Substantial effects of assumed ver- sus calculated g m on leaf properties estimated from gas- exchange measurements were found. This differential error resulted in an underestimation in ratio of maximum carbox- ylation to electron transport, especially in plants with high photosynthetic capacity. Including g m in the calculations also improved the agreement between maximum carboxy- lation rates and in vitro Rubisco measurements. It is con- cluded that g m is finite and varies with photosynthetic capacity. Including g m when calculating photosynthesis parameters from gas-exchange data will avoid systematic errors.
Effects of atriopeptin III on isolated mesenteric resistance vessels from SHR and WKY.

The effects of atriopeptin III (AP III) were determined on agonist-induced [i.e., 10(-4) M norepinephrine (NE)] and depolarization-induced (80 mM K+) contractions of isolated mesenteric resistance vessels (ID approximately 100 microns) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and from normotensive control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The vessels from both groups, when activated by 80 mM K+, were unaffected by AP III. However, activation of WKY vessels by 10(-4) M NE (both phasic and tonic contraction) was inhibited quite effectively and potently by AP III, whereas that in SHR vessels was much less inhibited. In the WKY rat vessels, the concentration of AP III that inhibited contraction by 50% for NE-induced phasic tension was 3.1 +/- 1.3 nM, whereas in SHR vessels it was nearly 1 microM. Comparison of AP III inhibition of NE-induced phasic tension to that at 5 min of activation (tonic tension) indicated that the tonic contractions were less sensitive to AP III than the phasic contractions in the vessels from both strains. A similar experiment indicated that AP III was a potent inhibitor of agonist-induced activation in a human renal resistance vessel (ID 125 microns) and that this vessel depended virtually completely on extracellular Ca2+ for NE-induced contraction. These studies contrast with earlier reports (1, 30) that similar peptides inhibited tension only in rat renal resistance vessels and not in resistance vessels from other vascular beds. The decreased sensitivity and efficacy of AP III in inhibiting tension in SHR compared with WKY mesenteric resistance vessels is discussed in the context of the etiology of spontaneous hypertension.
Balancing instructional techniques and delivery formats in capstone business strategy courses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contend that collegiate programs should carefully plan their capstone courses in light of the educational mission, pedagogical content knowledge, instructional techniques and delivery formats. Design/methodology/approach – This is a concept paper with elements of theory building from the case of business strategy courses. After an overview of relevant research along with past and current practices, capstone course content projects and assignments are discussed in relation to delivery formats such as on-campus, hybrid partial online and full distance education. Findings – Faculty and academic departments choosing project assignments should seek to create an integrative learning experience for students using carefully balanced delivery methods and content. Each of the instructional methods and delivery systems have certain advantages, and the use of these techniques is not mutually exclusive, in that some faculty members may choose to teach course sections using mul...
Cost comparison of mechanically ventilated patients across the age span

To compare the use of mechanical ventilation and hospital costs across ventilated patients of all ages, preterm through adults, in a nationally representative sample. Secondary analysis of the 2009 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Inpatient Sample. A total of 1 107 563 (2.8%) patients received mechanical ventilation. For surviving ventilated patients, median costs for infants ⩽32 weeks’ gestation were $51000 to $209 000, whereas median costs for older patients were lower from $17 000 to $25 000. For non-surviving ventilated patients, median costs were $27 000 to $39 000 except at the extremes of age; the median cost was $10 000 for <24 week newborns and $14 000 for 91+ year adults. Newborns of all gestational ages had a disproportionate share of hospital costs relative to their total volume. Most intensive care unit resources at the extremes of age are not directed toward non-surviving patients. From a perinatal perspective, attention should be directed toward improving outcomes and reducing costs for all infants, not just at the earliest gestational ages.
Impact of Sensory Sensitivity on Physiological Stress Response and Novel Peer Interaction in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background: For many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), social interactions can be stressful. Previous research shows that youth with ASD exhibit greater physiological stress response during peer interaction, compared to typically developing (TD) peers. Heightened sensory sensitivity may contribute to maladaptive patterns of stress and anxiety. The current study investigated between-group differences in stress response to peer interaction, as well as the role of sensory sensitivity. Methods: Participants included 80 children (40 ASD) between 8-to-12 years. Children participated in the peer interaction paradigm (PIP), an ecologically valid protocol that simulates real-world social interaction. Salivary cortisol was collected before and after the 20 min PIP. Parents completed questionnaires pertaining to child stress (Stress Survey Schedule) and sensory sensitivity (Short Sensory Profile). Statistical analyses included t-tests and ANCOVA models to examine between-group differences in cortisol and play; Pearson correlations to determine relations between cortisol, play, and questionnaire scores; and moderation analyses to investigate interactions among variables. Results: Controlling for baseline cortisol values, children with ASD showed significantly higher cortisol levels than TD peers, in response to the PIP (F (1, 77) = 5.77, p = 0.02). Cortisol during play was negatively correlated with scores on the SSP (r = -0.242, p = 0.03), and positively correlated with SSS (r = 0.273, p = 0.02) indicating that higher cortisol was associated with greater sensory sensitivity (lower SSP reflects more impairment) and enhanced stress in various contexts (higher SSS reflects more stress). Furthermore, diagnosis was a significant moderator of the relation between cortisol and SSP, at multiple time points during the PIP (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The current study extends previous findings by showing that higher physiological arousal during play is associated with heightened sensory sensitivity and a pattern of increased stress in various contexts. Results are discussed in a broader context, emphasizing the need to examine relationships between social, behavioral, and physiological profiles in ASD to enhance understanding and improve treatments aimed at ameliorating stress and sensory dysfunction, while enhancing social skills.
An optimally accurate discrete regularization for second order timestepping methods for Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract We propose a new, optimally accurate numerical regularization/stabilization for (a family of) second order timestepping methods for the Navier–Stokes equations (NSE). The method combines a linear treatment of the advection term, together with stabilization terms that are proportional to discrete curvature of the solutions in both velocity and pressure. We rigorously prove that the entire new family of methods are unconditionally stable and O ( Δ t 2 ) accurate. The idea of ‘curvature stabilization’ is new to CFD and is intended as an improvement over the commonly used ‘speed stabilization’, which is only first order accurate in time and can have an adverse effect on important flow quantities such as drag coefficients. Numerical examples verify the predicted convergence rate and show the stabilization term clearly improves the stability and accuracy of the tested flows.
Psychiatric hospitalisation among individuals with intellectual disability referred to the START crisis intervention and prevention program

Background Little is known about inpatient psychiatric hospitalisation among adults with intellectual disability (ID) in the United States. Greater research is, therefore, required to inform efforts aimed at preventing this costly and restrictive form of care. Methods Data were from 3299 individuals with ID (mean age = 31 years; SD = 14 years) who were referred to START (Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment), a community-based crisis intervention and prevention programme. A random effects logistic regression model was used to examine the association between 11 factors and caregiver report of psychiatric hospitalisation in the past 12 months. Results Twenty eight percent of the sample had at least one psychiatric inpatient stay in the prior year. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of prior hospitalisation included: younger age, diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, a score of >30 on the irritability subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, increasing number of psychiatric diagnoses, less severe ID, Black/AA race and not having a home and community waiver. Conclusions Among this high-risk referred group, more than 1 in 4 individuals were hospitalised in the year prior to referral. While results from the analyses will help profile those at risk for hospitalisation, the findings suggest that interventions at the policy level may play an important role in reducing psychiatric hospitalisation.
On the Differential Equations of Electrical Circuits and the Global Nature of the Solutions

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the differential equations of electrical circuits and the global nature of the solutions. Most of the theories on circuit theory deal with linear equations and the Laplace transform. In current scenario, many engineering problems have led to differential equations that cannot be properly approximated by linear circuits. A typical situation is circuits having several steady state solutions, which is a nonlinear phenomenon. In the chapter, an electrical circuit consisting of a graph with several branches is considered. This electrical circuit contains a resistor and a battery, a condenser, or an inductor. The dynamic behavior of the electrical circuits is given by the set of differential equations. This simple device is quite useful for lower bounds for the switching times on tunnel diode circuits.
Cogging torque reduction in permanent-magnet synchronous machines with skew

Cogging torque reduction with skewing techniques was explored on the MIT Robotic Cheetah. Skewed machines with either skewed rotors or stators were constructed, tested, and fielded on the robot. Results were compared with a convolution technique for predicting torque waveforms of skewed machines from the torque waveform of the unskewed machine. Fringing fields and axial offsets were investigated as explanations for imperfect torque cancellation. Novel, alternately-shaped magnets were proposed to eliminate these effects, and their efficacy was shown with finite-element analysis.
SHAMROCK: A Synthesizable High Assurance Cryptography and Key management coprocessor

For performance, maintainability and usability, military communications systems must properly integrate and coordinate cryptographic primitives and use adequate key management schemes. In this paper, we present a SHAMROCK (Synthesizable High Assurance Management/Reservation/Operation of Cryptography and Keys) coprocessor. Being self-contained and synthesizable, SHAMROCK empowers designers to readily and correctly incorporate cryptography and key management into embedded systems. SHAMROCK has been incorporated in multiple mission critical systems to enable secure computing and communications.
Ester- and amide-containing multiQACs: Exploring multicationic soft antimicrobial agents.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are ubiquitous antiseptics whose chemical stability is both an aid to prolonged antibacterial activity and a liability to the environment. Soft antimicrobials, such as QACs designed to decompose in relatively short times, show the promise to kill bacteria effectively but not leave a lasting footprint. We have designed and prepared 40 soft QAC compounds based on both ester and amide linkages, in a systematic study of mono-, bis-, and tris-cationic QAC species. Antimicrobial activity, red blood cell lysis, and chemical stability were assessed. Antiseptic activity was strong against a panel of six bacteria including two MRSA strains, with low micromolar activity seen in many compounds; amide analogs showed superior activity over ester analogs, with one bisQAC displaying average MIC activity of ∼1μM. For a small subset of highly bioactive compounds, hydrolysis rates in pure water as well as buffers of pH =4, 7, and 10 were tracked by LCMS, and indicated good stability for amides while rapid hydrolysis was observed for all compounds in acidic conditions.
Laser-driven flyer application in thin film dissimilar materials welding and spalling

Abstract This paper applied a low cost method to pack and drive laser-driven flyer in the applications of welding and spalling. The laser system has the maximum energy of 3.1 J, which is much lower than that used in the previous study. The chemical release energy from the ablative layer was estimated as 3.7 J. The flying characteristic of laser-driven flyer was studied by measuring the flyer velocity at different locations with photonic Doppler velocimetry (PDV). The application of laser-driven flyer in welding Al and Cu was investigated at different laser spot size. Weld strength was measured with the peel test. Weld interface was characterized with optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study of application of laser-driven flyer in spalling was carried out for both brittle and ductile materials. The impact pressure was calculated based on the Hugoniot data. The amount of spalling was not only related to the impact pressure but also related to the duration of impact pressure. The fractography of spalled fracture surface was studied and revealed that the fracture mode was related to the strain rate. The spall strength of Cu 110, Al 1100 and Ni 201was measured and was consistent with the literature data.
The Lagos Administration: Moving Along Multiple Fronts

President Lagos’ major accomplishment was to forge the political compromises needed to pass the 2005 Constitutional reforms, which eliminated the most undemocratic vestiges of Pinochet’s 1980 Constitution. During these six years the Courts began to move at a much faster speed because of the judicial reforms carried out during the Frei administration and the military doctrine changed due to General Cheyre’s reforms. The work of Judge Guzman and others made possible the indictment of Generals Pinochet and Arellano, and a number of other military officers.
Cardiovascular Disease in Incarcerated Populations.

Currently, 2.2 million individuals are incarcerated, and more than 11 million have been released from U.S. correctional facilities. Individuals with a history of incarceration are more likely to be of racial and ethnic minority populations, poor, and have higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors, especially smoking and hypertension. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among incarcerated individuals, and those recently released have a higher risk of being hospitalized and dying of cardiovascular disease compared with the general population, even after accounting for differences in racial identity and socioeconomic status. In this review, the authors: 1) present information on the cardiovascular health of justice-involved populations, and unique prevention and care conditions in correctional facilities; 2) identify knowledge gaps; and 3) propose promising areas for research to improve the cardiovascular health of this population. An Executive Summary of a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop on this topic is available.
Income, Education, and Three Dimensions of Religiosity in the USA

We use American Time Use Survey data and a two-part econometric model to investigate the relationship of income and education to religiosity in the USA. We find some evidence that people are less likely to be religious as their income increases and that religious people spend less time performing religious activities as their incomes rise. The effect of additional education is ambiguous. We also find that while women are more likely to be religious than men and immigrants are more likely to be religious than natives, among religious people there is no significant difference in religiosity by gender or origin.
Who are they? Patients with heart failure in American skilled nursing facilities

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is common among skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents, yet patients with HF in the SNF setting have not been well described. Methods Using Minimum Data Set 3.0 cross-linked to Medicare data (2011–2012), we studied 150,959 HF patients admitted to 13,858 SNFs throughout the USA. ICD-9 codes were used to differentiate patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), or unspecified HF. Results The median age of the study population was 82 years, 68% were women, 34% had HFpEF, and 27% had HFrEF. HFpEF patients were older than those with HFrEF. Moderate/severe physical limitations (82%) and cognitive impairment (37%) were common, regardless of HF type. The burden and pattern of common comorbidities, with the exception of coronary heart disease, were similar among all groups, with a median of five comorbidities. One half of patients with HF had been prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, and 39% evidence-based β-blockers. Conclusions SNF residents with HF are old and suffer from significant physical limitations and cognitive impairment and a high degree of comorbidity. These patients differ substantially from HF patients enrolled in randomized clinical trials and that might explain divergence from treatment guidelines.
GPU-based strategies for acceleration of a new MLEM algorithm for emission-based photon attenuation correction in PET

We report on GPU-based strategies for acceleration of “EMAA” — a maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) algorithm for joint estimation of emission activity distribution and photon attenuation map from PET emission signal alone. The following strategies are reported: GPU based implementation, ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM), use of time of flight (TOF) data, and “Balanced OSEM” — an extension of OSEM for this joint image estimation problem. The strategies are evaluated using a PET signal, computationally generated via Monte-Carlo simulation of a three dimensional XCAT phantom, with no random- and scattered coincidences. For a Philips GEMINI LXL system geometry with 400 ps time resolution, these methods accelerate EMAA by six orders of magnitudes compared with a single CPU implementation. Thus, reducing joint estimation duration to just seven minutes, for an emission activity distribution root mean square error of 1%.
Hypothesis Testing: Deciding between Reality and Coincidence

In this chapter, you will learn how hypothesis testing uses data to decide between two possibilities, often to distinguish structure from mere randomness as a helpful input to executive decision making. We will define a hypothesis as any statement about the population; the data will help you decide which hypothesis to accept as true. There will be two hypotheses that play different roles: The null hypothesis represents the default, to be accepted in the absence of evidence against it; the research hypothesis has the burden of proof, requiring convincing evidence for its acceptance. Accepting the null hypothesis is a weak conclusion, whereas rejecting the null and accepting the research hypothesis is a strong conclusion and leads to a statistically significant result. Every hypothesis test can produce a p -value (using statistical software) that tells you how surprised you would be to learn that the null hypothesis had produced the data, with smaller p -values indicating more surprise and leading to significance. By convention, a result is statistically significant if p p p p > 0.05. There are two types of errors that you might make when testing hypothesis. The type I error is committed when the null hypothesis is true, but you reject it and (wrongly) declare that your result is statistically significant; the probability of this error is controlled, conventionally the 5% level (but you may set this test level or significance level to be other values, such as 1%, 0.1%, or perhaps even 10%). The type II error is committed when the research hypothesis is true, but you (wrongly) accept the null hypothesis instead and declare the result not to be significant; the probability of this error is not easily controlled.
Facilitating the Fungus: Insights from the Genome of the Rice Blast Fungus, Magnaporthe Oryzae

Magnaporthe oryzae is a filamentous, Ascomycete fungus and causal agent of the rice blast disease. As one of the most economically important plant pathogenic fungi globally, M. oryzae can kill enough rice to feed an estimated 60 million people per year, and repeated epidemics throughout the course of history dictates that it will continue to cause devastation to one of the world’s most important food sources. In 2005, the M. oryzae genome sequence was released in a landmark publication, as it was the first plant pathogenic fungus to be sequenced. In this chapter, we examine many aspects of genome-enabled research including host adaptation , identification of avirulence genes , and the use of reverse genetics to provide insight into gene functions. We review important discoveries using next-generation sequencing platforms such as RNA-Seq , and discuss how proteomics have confirmed or provided additional information about linkages between biochemical pathways involved in nitrogen regulation, reactive oxygen species production, and virulence. The end of the Chapter explores future challenges and potential control measures; all of which are dependent upon the current genome sequences available for different strains of this fungus, as well as the hundreds of field strains that are currently awaiting to be sequenced. Harnessing the power of comparative genome analyses will provide critical information on how field isolates change, and will subsequently inform growers and breeders on the most appropriate rice cultivars to deploy.
NONEXISTENCE OF A FINITE GROUP WITH A SPECIFIED 7-BLOCK

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the existence of a finite group with a specified 7-block. In his investigations of finite groups with a faithful matrix representation of degree 8 over the complex field, Walter Feit was obliged to consider a possible group in which a Sylow 7-subgroup was self-centralizing of order 7 and had a normalizer of order 21, and the degrees in the principal 7-block were 1, 27, 50, and two exceptional 24s. As per the restrictions implied by his investigation, no such group exists.
Patterning of Paternal Investment in Response to Socioecological Change

Human paternal investment, and that of many other species, is facultatively expressed and dependent on a diverse array of individual, social, and ecological conditions. Well-documented are the various ways in which men invest in offspring and the household. Specifically, local ecology structures pay-offs to male investment and has been shown to be an important predictor of the sexual division of labor. However, while variability in paternal investment has been well-characterized cross-culturally, plasticity within a group in response to changing socioecological conditions remains largely unstudied. To address this, we use recent economic development and market access to explore how changes in socioecology alter behavioral options for men and their resultant investment decisions. Among the monogamous Maya, we find that, associated with the introduction of novel subsistence opportunities and incentives for intensified paternal investment, fathers spend more time in the household, more time in domestic activities and more time interacting with their children. The changes in paternal investment documented here are largely contingent on four conditions: increased efficiency in subsistence brought about by mechanized farming, limited opportunities to engage in wage labor, increased opportunities to invest in offspring quality, and a monogamous mating system. Thus, Maya fathers appear to repurpose found time by furthering investment in their families.
The Drosophila Dot Chromosome: Where Genes Flourish Amidst Repeats

The F element of the Drosophila karyotype (the fourth chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster) is often referred to as the “dot chromosome” because of its appearance in a metaphase chromosome spread. This chromosome is distinct from other Drosophila autosomes in possessing both a high level of repetitious sequences (in particular, remnants of transposable elements) and a gene density similar to that found in the other chromosome arms, ∼80 genes distributed throughout its 1.3-Mb “long arm.” The dot chromosome is notorious for its lack of recombination and is often neglected as a consequence. This and other features suggest that the F element is packaged as heterochromatin throughout. F element genes have distinct characteristics (e.g., low codon bias, and larger size due both to larger introns and an increased number of exons), but exhibit expression levels comparable to genes found in euchromatin. Mapping experiments show the presence of appropriate chromatin modifications for the formation of DNaseI hypersensitive sites and transcript initiation at the 5′ ends of active genes, but, in most cases, high levels of heterochromatin proteins are observed over the body of these genes. These various features raise many interesting questions about the relationships of chromatin structures with gene and chromosome function. The apparent evolution of the F element as an autosome from an ancestral sex chromosome also raises intriguing questions. The findings argue that the F element is a unique chromosome that occupies its own space in the nucleus. Further study of the F element should provide new insights into chromosome structure and function.
Abstract P247: ACE2/ACE Imbalance in the Placental Circulation in an Ovine Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) has been linked to the development of cardiovascular complications in the offspring. We have previously shown that in an ovine model of IUGR placental blood f...
Incretin dysfunction and hyperglycemia in cystic fibrosis: Role of acyl-ghrelin.

Abstract Background Insulin secretion is insufficient in cystic fibrosis (CF), even before diabetes is present, though the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Acyl-ghrelin (AG) can diminish insulin secretion and is elevated in humans with CF. Methods We tested the hypothesis that elevated AG contributes to reduced insulin secretion and hyperglycemia in CF ferrets. Results Fasting AG was elevated in CF versus non-CF ferrets. Similar to its effects in other species, AG administration in non-CF ferrets acutely reduced insulin, increased growth hormone, and induced hyperglycemia. During oral glucose tolerance testing, non-CF ferrets had responsive insulin, glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) levels and maintained normal glucose levels, whereas CF ferrets had insufficient responses and became hyperglycemic. Interestingly in wild-type ferrets, the acyl-ghrelin receptor antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 impaired glucose tolerance, and abolished insulin, GLP-1, and GIP responses during glucose tolerance testing. By contrast, in CF ferrets [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 improved glucose tolerance, enhanced the insulin-to-glucose ratio, but did not impact the already low GLP-1 and GIP levels. Conclusions These results suggest a mechanism by which elevated AG contributes to CF hyperglycemia through inhibition of insulin secretion, an effect magnified by low GLP-1 and GIP. Interventions that lower ghrelin, ghrelin action, and/or raise GLP-1 or GIP might improve glycemia in CF.
Determination of In Situ Density of Sands

The use of undisturbed samples to evaluate in situ density and the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) to estimate in situ relative density is reviewed. A procedure for obtaining high-quality undisturbed samples of sands and the influence of this sampling procedure on the in situ relative density are discussed. The use of radiographs to evaluate sample quality is examined. As a result of studies reviewed, it is concluded that the SPT is not sufficiently accurate to be recommended for final evaluation of the density or relative density of a site unless site specific correlations are developed. High-quality undisturbed samples of sands may be obtained using a fixed-piston sampler and drilling mud. This sampling procedure yields very good samples in deposits of medium-dense sands; however, the procedure tends to densify samples of loose sands and loosen samples of dense sands.
Rapidly progressing programmed cell death 1 inhibitor-related pneumonitis in a hemodialytic patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction The efficacy and safety of nivolumab for patients receiving hemodialysis remain uncertain. Herein, we report a patient receiving a maintenance hemodialysis with life-threatening interstitial pneumonitis caused by nivolumab for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Case presentation A 61-year-old man with chronic kidney disease after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma was started on hemodialysis. Six months later, he developed multiple bone metastases and received pazopanib. Pazopanib, however, was not effective. We then switched to nivolumab as second-line treatment. Five days after the first administration of nivolumab, he complained of respiratory discomfort and malaise with oxygen desaturation. Chest computed tomography demonstrated diffuse areas of ground glass opacity in both lung fields, suggesting programmed cell death 1 inhibitor-related pneumonitis. Prompt corticosteroid therapy led to improvement of the symptoms. Conclusion Caution should be exercised on the administration of nivolumab to hemodialysis patients due to the risk of interstitial pneumonitis.
Case Study: Off-site manufacturing of EIFS Panelized Wall Assemblies to Gain Efficiency in Construction Sequencing

This paper examines the process of constructing modular EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system) panelized wall assemblies in a manufacturing environment. The research observed the preparation required, manufacturing procedures applied, measured task times at dedicated work stations and identified bottlenecks that factor into the comprehensive approach to planning and building the exterior envelope off-site. The paper summarizes the results of 70,000 SF of EIFS panels manufactured over 70 days in a 110,000 SF facility located in Tempe, AZ. The benefits (quality control, safety, labour efficiency) and challenges (transportation, hoisting, and cost) in relationship to the traditional construction requirements for in-place EIFS systems is also analysed in this paper.
Calming the storm in HLH

In this issue of Blood, Albeituni et al demonstrate the pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects by which the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor ruxolitinib ameliorates hypercytokinemia and organ injury in 2 distinct murine models of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).1 By demonstrating both interferon-γ (IFN-γ)–dependent and IFN-γ–independent effects, the authors provide compelling preclinical data supporting the potential superiority of ruxolitinib when compared with IFN-γ inhibition alone. In doing so, the authors also identify a previously underrecognized role of neutrophil cytotoxicity in the pathobiology of HLH-induced multiorgan dysfunction.
Prospective memory partially mediates the association between aging and everyday functioning

Objective: Older adults commonly experience declines in everyday functioning, the reasons for which are multifactorial. Prospective memory (PM), or remembering to carry out intended actions, can be an executively demanding cognitive process that declines with older age and is independently associated with a variety of everyday functions (e.g. taking medication). This study examined the hypothesis that PM mediates the relationship between older age and poorer everyday functioning.Method: A total of 468 community-dwelling adults (ages 18-75) with a range of medical comorbidities (e.g. viral infection) were classified as dependent on four well-validated measures of manifest everyday functioning: activities of daily living, employment status, the Karnofsky Scale of Performance Status, and self-reported cognitive symptoms. Participants completed the Memory for Intentions Test (MIsT) to measure PM, alongside clinical tests of executive functions and retrospective memory.Results: Controlling for education and comorbidities, bootstrap analysis revealed a significant direct effect of age on everyday functioning and a significant mediated effect of age on everyday functioning through the indirect effect of time-based b = .006 [.003, .010] and event-based PM (b = .005, [.002, .009]), as well as slightly smaller effects for executive functions (b = .003, [.001, .005]) and retrospective memory (b = .002, [.001, .005]).Conclusions: These cross-sectional data suggest that executively demanding aspects of declarative memory play an important partial mediating role between an individual factor (i.e. age) and daily life activities, and highlight the possible benefit of targeting PM for improving everyday functioning in older adults.
Arachidonic acid-derived hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids are positively associated with colon polyps in adult males: a cross-sectional study

Oxylipids are potent lipid mediators associated with inflammation-induced colon carcinomas and colon tumor survival. Therefore, oxylipid profiles may be useful as novel biomarkers of colon polyp presence. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma non-esterified oxylipids and the presence of colon polyps. A total of 123 Caucasian men, ages 48 to 65, were categorized into three groups: those with no polyps, those with one or more hyperplastic polyps, and those with one or more adenomas. Plasma non-esterified oxylipids were analyzed using solid phase extraction and quantified using a targeted HPLC tandem mass spectrometric analysis. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA with Dunn's test for multiple comparison and generalized linear models to adjust for confounding factors such as age, anthropometrics, and smoking status. In general, monohydroxy omega-6-derived oxylipids were significantly increased in those with polyps. Concentrations of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and 11-HETE were significantly higher in those with hyperplastic polyps and adenomas compared to those with no polyps. Arachidonic acid-derived HETEs were significantly associated with colon polyp types, even after adjusting for age, smoking, and body mass index or waist circumference in regression models. Since many of these oxylipids are formed through oxygenation by lipoxygenases (i.e., 5-, 12-, and 15-HETE, and 15- hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid [HETrE]) or auto-oxidative reactions (i.e., 11-HETE), this may indicate that lipoxygenase activity and lipid peroxidation are increased in those with colon polyps. In addition, since oxylipids such as 5-, 12-, and 15-HETE are signaling molecules involved in inflammation regulation, these oxylipids may have important functions in inflammation-associated polyp presence. Future studies should be performed in a larger cohorts to investigate if these oxylipids are useful as potential biomarkers of colon polyps.
Mg2+ Induces Conformational Changes in the Catalytic Subunit of Phosphorylase Kinase, Whether by Itself or as Part of the Holoenzyme Complex

Phosphorylase kinase (PhK) from skeletal muscle is a structurally complex, highly regulated, hexadecameric enzyme of subunit composition (alpha beta gamma delta)4. Previous studies have revealed that the activity of its catalytic gamma subunit is controlled by alterations in quaternary structure initiated at allosteric and covalent modification sites on PhK's three regulatory subunits; however, changes in the conformation of the holoenzyme initiated by the catalytic subunit have been more difficult to document. In this study a monoclonal antibody (mAb gamma79) has been generated against isolated gamma subunit and used as a conformational probe of that subunit. The epitope recognized by this antibody is within the catalytic core of the gamma subunit, between residues 100 and 240, and monovalent fragments of the antibody inhibit the catalytic activity of the holoenzyme, the gamma-calmodulin binary complex, and the free gamma subunit. Activation of PhK by a variety of mechanisms known or thought to act through its regulatory subunits (phosphorylation, ADP binding, or alkaline pH) increased the binding of the holoenzyme to immobilized mAb gamma79, indicating that activation by any of these distinct mechanisms involves repositioning of the portion of the catalytic domain of the gamma subunit containing the epitope for mAb gamma79. The activating ligand Mg2+ also stimulated the binding of the PhK holoenzyme to immobilized mAb gamma79, as well as the binding of mAb gamma79 to immobilized gamma subunit. Thus, Mg2+ increases the accessibility of the mAb gamma79 epitope in both the isolated gamma subunit and in the holoenzyme. Our results suggest that previously reported influences of Mg2+ on the quaternary structure of the PhK holoenzyme are directly mediated by the gamma subunit.
Thoracic branched endograft for traumatic aortic pseudoaneurysm.

Abstract Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is the standard treatment for blunt traumatic aortic injuries (BTAI). Approximately 40% of patients with BTAI require left subclavian artery (LSA) coverage for adequate proximal seal. Intentional LSA coverage is not benign; it is associated with complications including stroke, spinal cord ischemia, vertebrobasilar, and left arm ischemia. To avoid these devastating complications, LSA revascularization is recommended before elective zone II thoracic endovascular aortic repair, but is often omitted during emergent cases. We report two cases of aortic zone II traumatic grade III BTAI (aortic pseudoaneurysm) that we successfully treated with the GORE prior to TAG thoracic branch endoprosthesis.
Inverse Inclusion: An Experiential Model for Preservice Teacher Education

“Inverse inclusion experiences offer transformative possibilities in art teacher education, moving education away from prescribed illusions and biases that often surround disability and inclusion p...