cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Invisible Ink Marking in ECL Membrane Assays

Invisible ink and writing secret messages have been part of man's fantasy, having proven useful in clandestine and high sensitivity areas. Security inks, made up of invisible materials that give printed, anti-photocopy images capable of being read only under special environments, have become important. An ink formulation based on silicon(IV) 2,3-naphthalocyanine bis(trihexylsilyloxide) as colorant, invisible to the naked eye but infrared readable, has been described earlier. Biometric DNA ink has also been developed for security authentication. In lighter vein, many budding scientists and others have often experimented with writing secret messages on paper, either for purposes of fun or actually sending secret messages to friends. It involved the use of lemon juice, milk, or other solutions that could be used with a dip pen, brush, or a fountain pen to write invisible messages on a blank white paper. Words turn up as magic when the paper is exposed to heat in one form or the other. Here, we attempt to end this book on a slightly humorous note by showing that invisible messages can be written on nitrocellulose membranes (but not on polyvinylidene difluoride membranes) using an appropriately diluted horse radish peroxidase/alkaline phosphatase anti-IgG conjugate (rabbit, mouse, or human anti-IgG). The message is written on the membrane, preferably with a fountain pen, and the membrane is allowed to dry. Regular detection with enhanced chemiluminescence plus or nitro blue tetrazolium/5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate systems is used to unravel the secret message. In addition, this method could be used to mark nitrocellulose membranes for orientation purposes using ECL detection system and thus can eliminate the use of autoradiography pens.
Patient Selection for Drip and Ship Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

OBJECTIVES The drip and ship model is a method used to deliver thrombolysis to acute stroke patients in facilities lacking onsite neurology coverage. We sought to determine whether our drip and ship population differs from patients treated directly at our stroke center (direct presenters). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who received thrombolysis at an outside facility with subsequent transfer to our center between 2009 and 2011. Patients received thrombolysis after telephone consultation with a stroke specialist. We examined demographics, vascular risk factors, laboratory values, and stroke severity in drip and ship patients compared with direct presenters. RESULTS Ninety-six patients were identified who received thrombolysis by drip and ship compared with 212 direct presenters. The two groups did not differ with respect to sex, ethnicity, vascular risk factors, or admission glucose. The odds ratio (OR) of arriving at our hospital as a drip and ship for someone 80 years or older was 0.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15-0.61, P < 0.001). Only 21% of drip and ship patients were black versus 38% of direct presenters (OR 0.434, 95% CI 0.25-0.76, P = 0.004). Even after stratifying by age (<80 vs ≥80), a smaller proportion of drip and ship patients were black (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.24-0.81, P = 0.008). Furthermore, we found that fewer black patients with severe strokes arrived by drip and ship (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11-0.98, P = 0.0028). CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that a smaller proportion of blacks and older adults arrived at our center by the drip and ship model. This may reflect differences in how patients are selected for thrombolysis and transfer to a higher level of care.
Broadband Nanostructured Antireflection Coating for Enhancing GaAs Solar Cell Performance

A broadband antireflection scheme fabricated on a GaAs p-n junction solar cell (SC) is reported by implementing tapered ZnO nanoneedles on a planar tantalum pentoxide ( ${\text{Ta}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{5}$ ) coating. The abrupt refractive index transition between air and GaAs is replaced by a bottom-up surface texturing approach. The antireflection structure provides a gradual reduction of refractive index away from the SC top surface. A tapering of ZnO nanoneedle tips fused with a high refractive index ${\text{Ta}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{5}$ layer contributed to a broadband suppression of reflectance less than 1% in the wavelength range of 380–900 nm. A power conversion efficiency enhancement of 50% is obtained by using the ZnO nanoneedle arrays on top of a planar ${\text{Ta}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{5}$ layer. Furthermore, a 60% enhancement in the external quantum efficiency is obtained for the same wavelength range.
Computational estimation of resolution in reconstruction techniques utilizing sparsity, total variation, and nonnegativity

Techniques which exploit properties such as sparsity and total variation have provided the ability to reconstruct images that surpass the conventional limits of imaging. This leads to difficulties in assessing the result, as conventional metrics for resolution are no longer valid. We develop a numerical approach to evaluating the second-order statistics of the estimate by relating a confidence interval on the solution to a confidence interval on a pixel value, and from this we formulate an approach to estimating the spatial resolution. With this estimate, we can calculate the resolution at each point subject to chosen bounds on the desired precision and confidence. We demonstrate the method for limited-angle tomographic reconstructions utilizing nonnegativity, sparse regularization, total-variation minimization, and their combinations. This provides a means to visualize and understand the effect on the image inherent in these penalties and constraints. Examples are provided using simulated data for different methods, and the results are shown to agree with resolution calculated empirically via the local edge response.
Maxwell stress to explain the mechanism for the anisotropic expansion in lithiated silicon nanowires

This computational research study attempts to explain the process that leads to volume expansion during insertion of lithium ions into a silicon nanowire. During lithiation, electrons flow through the nanowire in the opposing direction of lithium ions insertion. This causes an applied electromagnetic field which is described as being a quantum mechanical version of photon density wave theory. A series of events are calculated as the individual electrons and photons travels through the lithiated silicon nanowire. The hypothesis that will be presented employs the Maxwell stress tensor to calculate the refractive indices in three orthogonal directions during lithiation. The quantum harmonic oscillator and the electromagnetic intensity will be utilized in this presentation to calculate the energy of electrons and optical amplification of the electromagnetic field respectively. The main focus of this research study will use electron scattering theory, spontaneous and stimulated emission theory to model the bre...
Creep and damage of an adhesive anchor system by accelerated testing and modeling

An accelerated testing and modeling method was proposed and implemented to predict the long-term performance through short-term pullout tests of a cylindrical anchor core by tensile loading at diff...
Convolutional Sparse Representations with Gradient Penalties

While convolutional sparse representations enjoy a number of useful properties, they have received limited attention for image reconstruction problems. The present paper compares the performance of block-based and convolutional sparse representations in the removal of Gaussian white noise. The usual formulation of the convolutional sparse coding problem is slightly inferior to the block-based representations in this problem, but the performance of the convolutional form can be boosted beyond that of the block-based form by the inclusion of suitable penalties on the gradients of the coefficient maps.
Abstract 4985: Understanding the vulnerabilities in cancer cells upon inhibition of glutathione synthesis

A hallmark of cancer is the rewiring of cellular metabolic pathways, including those that mediate oxidative stress. Cancer initiation and progression, which demands increased production of ATP and synthesis of proteins, also results in elevated generation of toxic by-products such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cancer cells counteract ROS by increasing the production of antioxidants, which convert ROS into benign species. It has been shown that production of glutathione (GSH), the most abundant intracellular antioxidant, is necessary for many cancers to initiate malignant transformation. Whether inhibition of GSH synthesis can impact the survival of established malignant tumors remains poorly understood. In this study we investigated the extent to which GSH is required in cancer cells and across different subtypes of breast cancer. Profiling of an extensive panel of breast cancer cell lines demonstrated that the majority of cells are resistant to death after acute GSH depletion, while only luminal breast cancer cells are sensitive to chronic GSH depletion. To understand how most tumor cells are resistant to GSH depletion and oxidative stress, we conducted a small-molecule high-throughput screen interrogating more than 500 compounds in a 10-point dilution format. Importantly, screening plates were imaged and cell numbers quantified to avoid any false positives/negatives potentially associated with interrogating cellular metabolism using classical high throughput techniques, such as CellTiter-Glo. This screen revealed that depletion of glutathione sensitized breast cancer cells to inhibition of deubiquitinases, resulting in a drastic induction of a proteotoxic stress response. Furthermore, this sensitivity was found to be specific to malignant cells, as non-transformed cells were resistant to the combined treatments. It has been hypothesized that GSH, acting as an abundant thiol group, non-enzymatically reacts with ubiquitin and limits ubiquitination of proteins. Loss of glutathione, in combination with deubiquitinase inhibitors, leads to deregulation of ubiquitinated protein pools, and cancer cells undergo proteotoxic stress and cell death. These findings elucidate a novel vulnerability in cancers cells and shed light on an unexpected relationship between cancer metabolism and protein homeostasis. Citation Format: Isaac S. Harris, Jennifer E. Endress, Joan S. Brugge. Understanding the vulnerabilities in cancer cells upon inhibition of glutathione synthesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4985. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4985
Group Characteristics Influence Distribution Patterns of Off-Road Vehicle Recreation within a Complex Trail System in Southwest Idaho

ABSTRACTRecreation on public lands is growing and is increasingly recognized as an ecosystem service providing improved health, connection to nature, and social time while also disturbing and degrading ecosystems. Human impacts must be managed, but often managers have little information about the factors that affect recreation patterns. We combined data from global positioning system receivers to record off-road vehicle (ORV) travel with a pretrip survey to determine how group characteristics, site experience, site knowledge, and motivation are associated with ORV trip patterns on public lands in southwest Idaho. Spatial and temporal extent and distribution could summarize most variation in ORV trips. Both trip distribution and extent were associated with group characteristics and site knowledge. Spatial and temporal extent was additionally associated with motivations and distribution was associated with riding experience. These findings can help land managers to identify use patterns, direct informationa...
Geographic and Style Models for Historical Map Alignment and Toponym Recognition

Recognizing the place names within textual labels on historical maps is complicated by many factors, such as curvilinear baselines and dense overlap with other textual or graphical elements. However, maps' alignment with known geography and inter-label typographic style consistencies provide strong cues for resolving uncertainty and reducing text recognition errors. We present a unified probabilistic model to leverage the mutual information between text labels and styles and their geographical locations and categories. This work also introduces likelihood functions to model label placement for polyline and polygon geographical features, such as rivers or provinces. We evaluate the methods on 30 maps from 1866–1927. By interleaving automated map georeferencing with text recognition, we reduce word recognition error by 36% over OCR alone. Incorporating category-style links reduces toponym matching error by 32%.
Jugular Venous Oximetry

Abstract Jugular venous oxygen saturation monitoring provides useful information regarding cerebral oxygenation supply and demand. Jugular oximetry can be facilitated by insertion of a catheter by an anesthesiologist or an intensivist. While monitoring neurocritically ill patients to diagnose cerebral hypoxia, jugular venous oximetry can also provide vital information to optimize the relationship between cerebral oxygen demand and supply with the goal to improve patient outcomes.
Design and Analysis of Experiments for Statistical Selection, Screening, and Multiple Comparisons

(1996). Design and Analysis of Experiments for Statistical Selection, Screening, and Multiple Comparisons. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 28, No. 4, pp. 483-484.
Meeting requirements for survivorship visits: Interventions for patient identification.

59Background: A major challenge in providing quality survivorship care to cancer patients is efficiently and effectively identifying and scheduling patients who need a Survivorship Visit (SV). Whil...
Light Emitting Diodes for Phototherapy for the Control of Jaundice

The mission of our laboratory is the study of neonatal jaundice. An important focus of our research is to bring technology related to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of jaundice from the laboratory to the bedside. The following report summarizes our studies related to the efficacy and safety of light in the treatment of jaundice.
Solution of Questions of Non-Proliferation in Georgia

Export Control through Border Monitoring (ECBM) is a challenge for each country, but especially for Newly Independent States (NIS). With the spread of technologies of mass destruction, the monitoring of borders between countries has become the second line of defense against the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), material and technologies for them. Border controls therefore must take into account international attitudes as well as domestic affairs, to preserve the existence of all nations.
Anti-windup Augmentation for Plasma Vertical Stabilization in the DIII-D Tokamak

In the Advanced Tokamak (AT) operating mode of the DIII-D tokamak, an integrated multivariable controller takes into account highly coupled influences of plasma equilibrium shape, profile, and stability control. Time-scale separation in the system allows a multi-loop design: the inner loop closed by the nominal vertical controller designed to control a linear exponentially unstable plant and the outer loop closed by the nominal shape controller designed to control a nonlinear stabilized plant. Due to actuator constraints, the nominal vertical controller fails to stabilize the vertical position of the plasma inside the tokamak when large or fast disturbances are present or when the references coming from the shape controller change suddenly. Anti-windup synthesis is proposed to find a nonlinear modification of the nominal vertical controller that prevents vertical instability and undesirable oscillations but leaves the inner loop unmodified when there is no input saturation.
Schrödinger's cat

The issue is to seekquantum interference effects in an arbitrary field, in particular in psychology. For this I invent a digest of quantum mechanics over finite-n-dimensional Hilbert space. In order to match crude data, I use not only von Neumann's mixed states but also a parallel notion of unsharp tests. The mathematically styled text (and earlier work on multibin tests, designated MB) deals largely with these new tests. Quantum psychology itself is only given a foundation. It readily engenders objections; hence I develop its plausibility gradually, in interlocking essays. There is also the empirically definite proposal that (state, test, outcome)-indexed counts be gathered to record data, then fed to a “matrix format” (MF) search for quantum models. A previously proposed experiment in visual perception, which has since failed to find significant quantum correlations, is discussed. The suspicion that quantum mechanics is all around us goes beyond MF, and “Schrodinger's cat” symbolizes this broader perspective.
The history of higher education in emergency management: The Emergency Management Institute, the National Science Foundation, and the William Averette Anderson Fund

As the profession of emergency management has matured, the roles and responsibilities of emergency managers have expanded, new technologies have been deployed, and emergency management educa- tion grown and has become better connected to emer- gency management practice. This special topic cover- age (in three parts) addresses many of the changes in emergency management education over the past four decades, including the expansion of academic pro- grams for those preparing to enter the field, those transitioning from emergency response and other fields, and those moving into supervisory and man- agement positions in emergency management and related organizations. It also addresses some of the issues that academic programs have encountered as they have developed and have found their places in academic institutions. (Login to read more.)
Microbial Source-Tracking Reveals Origins of Fecal Contamination in a Recovering Watershed.

Fecal contamination of waterbodies due to poorly managed human and animal waste is a pervasive problem that can be particularly costly to address, especially if mitigation strategies are ineffective at sufficiently reducing the level of contamination. Identifying the most worrisome sources of contamination is particularly difficult in periurban streams with multiple land uses and requires the distinction of municipal, agricultural, domestic pet, and natural (i.e., wildlife) wastes. Microbial source-tracking (MST) methods that target host-specific members of the bacterial order Bacteroidales and others have been used worldwide to identify the origins of fecal contamination. We conducted a dry-weather study of Onondaga Creek, NY, where reducing fecal contamination has been approached mainly by mitigating combined sewer overflow events (CSOs). Over three sampling dates, we measured in-stream concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria; MST markers targeting human, ruminant, and canine sources; and various physical–chemical parameters to identify contaminants not attributable to CSOs or stormwater runoff. We observed that despite significant ruminant inputs upstream, these contaminants eventually decayed and/or were diluted out and that high levels of urban bacterial contamination are most likely due to failing infrastructure and/or illicit discharges independent of rain events. Similar dynamics may control other streams that transition from agricultural to urban areas with failing infrastructure.
Case Study on Management of Postsurgical Pyoderma Gangrenosum After Spinal Surgery.

BACKGROUND Postsurgical pyoderma gangrenosum (PSPG) is a rare autoimmune, neutrophilic dermatosis that results with the occurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) within surgical incisions. Presenting symptoms include erythema and pain at the surgical incision with wound dehiscence. The clinical appearance of the PSPG wound (similar to PG) shows raised with dusky red or violaceous (violet-colored) wound edges and undermining with little or no evidence of granulation tissue. "Pathergy" is the term used to describe worsening of the wound in response to trauma such as debridement. Postsurgical pyoderma gangrenosum should be suspected in postoperative wounds, which continue to become progressively worse despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, good wound care, and surgical debridement. CASE A clinical case study of a patient with PSPG from spine surgery is described. CONCLUSION Postsurgical pyoderma gangrenosum should be suspected in postoperative wounds, which continue to become progressively worse despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, good wound care, and surgical debridement.
Dichotomy of Dosage Compensation along the Neo Z Chromosome of the Monarch Butterfly

Summary Mechanisms of sex chromosome dosage compensation (SCDC) differ strikingly among animals. In Drosophila flies, chromosome-wide transcription is doubled from the single X chromosome in hemizygous (XY) males, whereas in Caenorhabditis nematodes, expression is halved for both X copies in homozygous (XX) females [ 1 , 2 ]. Unlike other female-heterogametic (WZ female and ZZ male) animals, moths and butterflies exhibit sex chromosome dosage compensation patterns typically seen only in male-heterogametic species [ 3 ]. The monarch butterfly carries a newly derived Z chromosome segment that arose from an autosomal fusion with the ancestral Z [ 4 ]. Using a highly contiguous genome assembly, we show that gene expression is balanced between sexes along the entire Z chromosome but with distinct modes of compensation on the two segments. On the ancestral Z segment, depletion of H4K16ac corresponds to nearly halving of biallelic transcription in males, a pattern convergent to nematodes. Conversely, the newly derived Z segment shows a Drosophila-like mode of compensation, with enriched H4K16ac levels corresponding to doubled monoallelic transcription in females. Our work reveals that, contrary to the expectation of co-opting regulatory mechanisms readily in place, the evolution of plural modes of dosage compensation is also possible along a single sex chromosome within a species.
Machine learning approach reveals heterogeneous responses to FAK and Rho GTPases inhibition on smooth muscle spheroid formation

Hyper proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to neointima formation in atherosclerosis and the response to vascular injury. Understanding how to control VSMC proliferation would advance the effort to treat vascular disease. Drug responses are often different among patients with the same vascular disease condition, making it difficult to cater patient-specific treatments (existence of heterogeneity). Thus, we examined variations in response to drug treatments using VSMC spheroids that mimic vascular disease condition in vivo. FAK and its downstream Rho GTPases (Rac, Rho, and Cdc42) control cell-cell contact and play a key role in vascular pathology. Here, we tested the importance of FAK and Rho GTPases in spheroid formation. VSMC spheroids were made using a hanging-drop method with either inhibitors or vehicle control. Changes in morphology were used as a key indicator of spheroid response to drug treatment. A machine learning (ML) image segmentation (VGG16-U-net) was used to segment the spheroid images. After the morphological features were extracted from the segmented images, a two-level cluster framework was used to cluster VSMC spheroids into different morphologies. We found that FAK and Rho GTPases are required for normal spheroid formation. Next, we analyzed the various morphologies of disrupted spheroids resulting from drug treatment using our ML pipeline. The first-level clustering analysis showed the presence of 4 clusters of spheroids with rounded and disrupted morphologies. The subsequent second-level clustering analysis identified the presence of four distinct morphological clusters among these disrupted spheroids, and they exhibited differential responses to FAK and Rho GTPases inhibition. Particularly, we found FAK and Rho specific morphological phenotypes, thus suggesting that there may be two distinct pathways governing VSMC spheroid formation. Collectively, we revealed there are significant heterogeneities in the drug responses of spheroid formation, which were overlooked in previous analyses. This is our first step towards developing the ML-based method that can be used to assess the effects of different drugs on the VSMC spheroid model for better characterization of pathologic progression of vascular disease.
Does Micro-Blogging Lead to a More Positive Attitude Toward a Brand?—A Perspective of Cultivation Theory

Drawing on Cultivation Theory, this research investigates how Twitter users perceive tweets about particular brands and how message types affect brand attitudes. We conducted a qualitative study of...
Too Close to Care? A Replication Study to Re-examine the Effect of Cued Distance on Climate Change Engagement.

This study replicates a cued distance design (Schuldt, Rickard, & Yang, 2018. Does reduced psychological distance increase climate engagement? on the limits of localizing climate change. Journal of...
Recent perspectives and awareness on transmission, clinical manifestation, quarantine measures, prevention and treatment of COVID-19 among people living in Malaysia in 2020.

There is a major public health challenge threatening the world with the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in December 2019 from Wuhan, China. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding COVID-19 and its transmission, causes and prevention among people living in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among people living in Malaysia by using an online survey in March and April 2020. Out of 520 respondents, the mean age was 36.9 ± 14.9, between 19 and 67 years with the majority being female. Most respondents had good knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 with mean ± sd 18.2 ± 1.7, 5.2 ± 1.1 and 4.1 ± 1.4, respectively. In addition, the majority had good knowledge regarding cause, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment and quarantine measures after answering 21 questions. To date, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for COVID-19, thus staying at home is the best preventive measure to curb the further growth of positive cases in the country. These findings could provide an insight in designing effective preparedness for future pandemic outbreaks.
Bike-Friendly and Other Traffic Calming Changes and Their Effect on Traffic and Pollution

The effects of planning initiatives aimed at increasing bicycle use have been little studied in relation to decreased auto use, injuries and pollution. As most programs promote the idea that public investments in bicycle lanes, traffic calming engineering of streets and valuing bicycling as economic and environmentally sound, this article assesses the goals and results. While bicycle use for commuting has decreased in recent years and congestion increased, focus on the effects of engineering streets for calming and bike and pedestrian use were found often to be associated with increased driving times, increased pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and increased pollution. The article makes use of data from a number of countries and original fieldwork.
Performance and Predicting of Inbound Logistics Processes Using Machine Learning

Manufacturing is changing quickly in parallel with market trends. Precise forecasting is critical for suppliers, impacting the worldwide supply chain network-a range of products derived from various sources and places in manufacturing plants in inbound logistics. Planning these inbound logistics depends on inventory readiness, plant planning, sourcing, and knowledge (continuously evolving). This paper focuses on machine learning algorithms such as K-nearest neighbors (KNN), Random Forests, Support Vector Machine (SVM) to improve the planning of inbound logistics systems. The presented algorithms track and train consumer preferences, policies, and other complex planning considerations in the planning process, such as time, strategy, and network design. In the planning process, half the time is spent preparing and collecting data, while the gained experience is not utilized efficiently. Therefore, designing potential inbound logistics processes are addressed using machine learning algorithms such as KNN, random forests, and SVM.
Profile Matching for the Generalization and Personalization of Causal Inferences

We introduce profile matching, a multivariate matching method for randomized experiments and observational studies that finds the largest possible self-weighted samples across multiple treatment groups that are balanced relative to a covariate profile. This covariate profile can represent a specific population or a target individual, facilitating the tasks of generalization and personalization of causal inferences. For generalization, because the profile often amounts to summary statistics for a target population, profile matching does not require accessing individual-level data, which may be unavailable for confidentiality reasons. For personalization, the profile can characterize a single patient. Profile matching achieves covariate balance by construction, but unlike existing approaches to matching, it does not require specifying a matching ratio, as this is implicitly optimized for the data. The method can also be used for the selection of units for study follow-up, and it readily applies to multi-valued treatments with many treatment categories. We evaluate the performance of profile matching in a simulation study of generalization of a randomized trial to a target population. We further illustrate this method in an exploratory observational study of the relationship between opioid use treatment and mental health outcomes. We analyze these relationships for three covariate profiles representing: (i) sexual minorities, (ii) the Appalachian United States, and (iii) a hypothetical vulnerable patient. We provide R code with step-by-step explanations to implement the methods in the paper in the Supplementary Materials.
Supervised Learning via Ensemble Tensor Completion

Learning nonlinear functions from input-output data pairs is one of the most fundamental problems in machine learning. Recent work has formulated the problem of learning a general nonlinear multivariate function of discrete inputs, as a tensor completion problem with smooth latent factors. We build upon this idea and utilize two ensemble learning techniques to enhance its prediction accuracy. We showcase the effectiveness of the proposed ensemble models on several regression tasks and report significant improvements compared to the single model.
The Use of Finite Element Methodology in Designing Ultrasonic Tests and the Detection of Weak Bond Planes

The ideal ultrasonic test should define unambiguously the size and location of defects, require a minimum of signal processing (i.e., operator intuition and decision) and use a minimum number of transducers. To do this it is necessary to choose the appropriate transducers and transducer locations; unfortunately this may require a time consuming series of iterative pre-test s using samples with manufactured defects which are presumed to behave similarly to real defects. The question arises as to whether numerical simulations may not provide a faster and more efficient way to design these tests. Accordingly a series of numerical tests were designed to: a) demonstrate the validity of numerical simulation; b) define the range of problems which can be treated numerically; c) describe the protocol for determining the optimal transducer position; d) determine the type of signal processing which would provide the maximum information.
Neutrophil extracellular traps as a source of high density lipoprotein oxidation in lupus-related cardiovascular disease. (HUM1P.312)

Lupus patients are fifty times more likely to experience a cardiovascular event, such as stroke or myocardial infarction, compared to age- and sex-matched controls. This is not explained by traditional “Framingham” risk factors, such as obesity and smoking, but possibly by the presence of “proinflammatory”, oxidized high density lipoprotein (HDL). Enzymatic sources of HDL oxidation include myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), two enzymes which our group has found highly present in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NET structures, composed of chromatin and antimicrobial peptides, are produced by granulocytes under pathogen stimulation or spontaneously in lupus patients. It was therefore predicted that NETs, highly active in lupus patients, can transform HDL into an oxidized form which is linked to proinflammatory and proatherosclerotic pathways. We examined the levels of chloro- and nitro-tyrosine oxidation in HDL from lupus patients and control donors via tandem mass spectroscopy. Finally, we digested lupus and control granulocyte NETs and incubated this with unoxidized HDL in the absence or presence of MPO and NOS-specific inhibitors. Lupus patients exhibited higher levels of regiospecific HDL oxidation versus control. Active NOS and MPO from NETs induced HDL oxidation patterns linked with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This represents a completely unexplored cellular source of HDL oxidation for lupus associated CVD.
Problem Solving: A Teaching and Therapeutic Tool for Older Adults and Their Families

Problem solving is integral to clinical reasoning and everyday occupational therapy practices. It can also be a systematic therapeutic modality for identifying client or family caregiver concerns and teaching new approaches to self-management. This chapter presents a systematic approach to help occupational therapists (OTs) identify target problem areas and potential modifiable contributing factors when working with older adults and families. The approach is applicable to a broad range of clinical problems associated with the consequences and management of chronic illness and provides therapists with an important tool for actively engaging clients in self-management.
Noise-enhanced Phase Coherence in Ensembles of Stochastic Resonators

We study instantaneous response of a parallel array of stochastic res- onators to a weak periodic input signal contaminated by external noise. We show that arbitrary small signal can lock the phase of a collective response of a large enough array in a wide range of internal noise intensities.
TU-F-CAMPUS-T-05: A Cloud-Based Monte Carlo Dose Calculation for Electron Cutout Factors

Purpose: For electron cutouts of smaller sizes, it is necessary to verify electron cutout factors due to perturbations in electron scattering. Often, this requires a physical measurement using a small ion chamber, diode, or film. The purpose of this study is to develop a fast Monte Carlo based dose calculation framework that requires only a smart phone photograph of the cutout and specification of the SSD and energy to determine the electron cutout factor, with the ultimate goal of making this cloud-based calculation widely available to the medical physics community. Methods: The algorithm uses a pattern recognition technique to identify the corners of the cutout in the photograph as shown in Figure 1. It then corrects for variations in perspective, scaling, and translation of the photograph introduced by the user’s positioning of the camera. Blob detection is used to identify the portions of the cutout which comprise the aperture and the portions which are cutout material. This information is then used define physical densities of the voxels used in the Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm as shown in Figure 2, and select a particle source from a pre-computed library of phase-spaces scored above the cutout. The electron cutout factor is obtained by taking a ratio of the maximum dose delivered with the cutout in place to the dose delivered under calibration/reference conditions. Results: The algorithm has been shown to successfully identify all necessary features of the electron cutout to perform the calculation. Subsequent testing will be performed to compare the Monte Carlo results with a physical measurement. Conclusion: A simple, cloud-based method of calculating electron cutout factors could eliminate the need for physical measurements and substantially reduce the time required to properly assure accurate dose delivery.
Codification of the Economic Substance Doctrine and the Gregory Case

ABSTRACT: Gregory v. Helvering is a landmark case in the area of corporate reorganizations. The concepts that evolved from Gregory include the business purpose test, continuity of business, the taxpayer's right to minimize tax liability, step transaction doctrine, and the economic substance doctrine. The Treasury Department sought a codification of the economic substance doctrine as a necessary weapon to curb the growth of corporate tax shelters. While the doctrine had been part of the fabric of our tax system since Gregory, it had been eroded by some confusing and conflicting case law. In 2010 (the 75th anniversary of Gregory), Congress codified the economic substance rules. In order to understand this new legislation it is necessary to explore the long and grand history of the Gregory case as a backdrop for consideration of the merits and demerits of the codification of the economic substance doctrine.
Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Hyperbaric Oxygen II. Ultrastructural Changes

The ultrastructure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells treated with hyperbaric oxygen for 20 to 24 hr was examined by electron microscopy. A marked difference in the morphology of the nuclear area and cytoplasm of experimental cells was noted when compared to control cells grown under normobaric conditions. This difference was characterized by the absence of a definitive nuclear area and a reduced granularity of the cytoplasm.
Suppression of Herpes Simplex Virus Infections with Oral Lithium Carbonate—A Possible Antiviral Activity

In vitro studies have shown an inhibitory effect of lithium salts on herpes simplex virus (HSV) replication by mechanisms that interfere with viral DNA synthesis. Moreover, clinical studies have shown that oral lithium carbonate and topical lithium succinate can suppress genital HSV infections in humans. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral lithium carbonate in 11 healthy subjects age 28-65 years (mean +/- SD age 38 +/- 11 years) who had at least four recurrent HSV infections in the year preceding the study. Six patients completed at least 5 months of lithium therapy at a mean (+/-SD) average daily lithium dose of 437 +/- 185 mg (range, 150-900 mg) and an average serum lithium level of 0.56 +/- 0.20 mmol/L. Overall, lithium treatment resulted in a consistent reduction in the mean number of episodes/month, the average duration of each episode, the total number of infection days/month, and the maximum symptom severity. In contrast, treatment with placebo resulted in an increase in three out of the four severity measures. Although the comparisons between the treatment groups did not achieve statistical significance due to the limited sample size, there was a clear "trend" for a reduction in the total monthly duration of all HSV infections with lithium (p = 0.08). Lithium treatment was well tolerated and produced no deleterious effects on renal or thyroid function. These observations lend support to prior observations of an antiviral activity of lithium, and suggest the possibility that oral lithium may represent a safe prophylactic agent in patients with recurrent HSV infections.
Applying machine learning methods to suggest network involvement and functionality of genes in saccharomyces cerevisiae

Elucidating genetic networks provides the foundation for the development of new treatments or cures for diseased pathways, and determining novel gene functionality is critical for bringing a better understanding on how an organism functions as a whole. In this dissertation, I developed a methodology that correctly locates genes that may be involved in genetic networks with a given gene based on its location over 50% of the time or based on its description over 43% of the time. I also developed a methodology that makes it easier to predict how a gene product behaves in a cellular context by suggesting the correct Gene Ontology term over 80% of the time. The designed software provides researchers with a way to focus their search for coregulated genes which will lead to better microarray chip design and limits the list of possible functions of a gene product. This ultimately saves the researcher time and money.
Adaptive control model of an active automobile suspension system

The suspension system of a passenger car provides isolation between the occupants in the car and the road surface. The three goals of the suspension system are to provide ride isolation from vibration, limit suspension travel, and maintain road holding characteristics. Each of these three goals conflicts with the others. Thus, the controller must be designed to attain each goal to some extent. This paper proposes the use of a linear quadratic regulator and a fuzzy controller to maintain the ride isolation of a loosely sprung, lightly damped passive suspension while improving the handling characteristics of the vehicle. The suspension performance as pertains to ride isolation can be studied using a simple quarter car model of a suspension system. However, the handling characteristics and the coupling between each quarter of the suspension system must be studied using a full car model. Thus, this paper uses both a quarter car and a full car model to study the performance of suspension systems. The performance of the suspension systems is evaluated by running simulations of the systems subjected to both discrete and random road inputs. This paper shows that an active suspension using a linear full state feedback controller performs better than a passively suspended vehicle. The optimally controlled active suspension system is also compared to a fuzzy controlled active suspension system and the results are discussed.
Predation by Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun) within Spartina alterniflora (Loisel) marshes

This study examined predation by the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, within intertidal Spartina alterniflora (Loisel) marshes of Dauphin Island, Alabama. Species and size preferences displayed by the predator when foraging within the marsh were investigated using nektonic, epifaunal, and infaunal prey populations including Fundulus similis Baird and Girard, Littorina irrorata Say, and Geukensia demissa Dillwyn. Short-term field experiments involving the use of predator inclusion cages, in which the relative abundances of all prey species and the density of macrophyte vegetation were manipulated, indicated that mean mortality differed significantly among species. Blue crabs exhibited a distinct species preference for Littorina, and to a lesser extent, for Fundulus. However, the predator rarely choses infaunal individuals. Within predator inclusion cages, size selection by the crabs among three size classes of each prey was evident for Littorina and Fundulus but not for Geukensia. Blue crabs tended to select intermediate-sized snails and large fish while not exhibiting a size preference for infaunal bivalves. In the marsh, mean percentage of the Littorina population within the 14–18 mm size class exhibited an increased mortality as compared to two other size classes, which was negatively correlated with increasing tidal height. Such a relationship may have been due to a decreasing gradient of crab predation associated with increasing tidal height. Geukensia size class distributions showed little evidence of differences along the tidal height gradient. No data are available for Fundulus, a mobile species which would not experience such differential predation along a marsh gradient. In comparing crab predation patterns among prey species, it is apparent that Callinectes utilizes prey species differentially. Such differential utilization may be based on optimization of energy yield and minimization of energy expenditure. Thus, the preference of blue crabs for nektonic and epifaunal prey is hypothesized to be the result of a smaller energy expediture as a result of the crab's visual evaluation of these prey. Infaunal prey species (e.g., Geukensia) require a greater energy investment because of the necessity of excavating the prey item. Such prey also allow little selection by size because of being cryptic.
Noncompliance in chronic depression: Assessment of serum antidepressant determination with the enzyme-immunoassay method

AbstractTo determine whether chronically depressed patients are compliant with treatment, we measured serum tricyclic levels in 43 outpatient veterans treated with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with dosages 75 mg/day or higher.Eighteen patients had a diagnosis of major depression; thirteen, dysthymia; five, bipolar depressed; and seven, schizoaffective disorder, depressed type. With no prior warning, blood samples were collected for homogeneous enzyme-multiplied immunoassay test (EMIT) tricyclic serum level determination. Also, short MMPI, Hamilton-D, BPRS, 1-year pharmacy computerized profile, and a comprehensive list of side effects and comorbidity were obtained.Fifteen patients (35%) had nondetectable serum levels. Noncompliant patients (those with nondetectable levels) had significantly fewer refills during the year, and tended to have higher F scales on their MMPIs. Forty-five percent of patients who were prescribed amitriptyline or imipramine were noncompliant, whereas only 1 of 12 patients presc...
Immunological responses in the mouse host to a cloned antigen of Taenia crassiceps

Abstract Adult female Swiss-Webster mice were immunized either intraperitoneally (IP) or subcutaneously (SQ) with cyst fluid or a genetically engineered fusion protein, Taenia crassiceps antigen 2-maltose binding protein (TCA2-MBP) from Taenia crassiceps metacestodes, or with live, non-budding cysts SQ, and then challenged IP with T. crassiceps metacestodes and necropsied 9 weeks later. Numbers of peripheral blood eosinophils were increased after IP immunization, but were not increased after SQ immunization or with SQ cysts given before the challenge infection. Eosinophil numbers gradually decreased over the course of the experiment, and were not found in increased numbers in the blood or peritoneal cavity at necropsy. Antigen-specific antibody responses were seen at day 14 or 28 in IP and SQ immunized groups; IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes continued to increase over the course of the experiment, A significant protective response was induced by immunization with the cyst fluid (15 ± 4, X ± SE recovered larvae) or the TCA2-MBP (22 ± 22) given IP, but not SQ (122 ± 36; 207 ± 53, respectively) as measured by the numbers of larvae recovered at necropsy. Live cysts given SQ resulted in reduced numbers of cysts in the peritoneal cavity (188 ± 66), but was not as effective as cyst fluid or TCA2-MBP given IP. Locally (IP) induced immune responses may be involved in the development of the protective response to a challenge infection with T. crassiceps metacestodes.
Coulomb excitation of 113In and 115In with oxygen ions

Abstract The γ-ray spectra emitted following Coulomb excitation of 113 In and 115 In with 40 and 50 MeV oxygen ions have been studied with a Ge(Li) detector. The levels excited are as follows: 113 In-1026, 1132, 1176, 1347 keV; 115 In-944, 1076, 1131, 1289, 1448 keV. A striking correspondence is noted between the levels observed in the two isotopes.