cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A self-describing data transfer model for ITS applications

The wide variety of remote sensors used in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications (loops, probe vehicles, radar, cameras, etc.) has created a need for general methods by which data can be shared among agencies and users who own disparate computer systems. In this paper, we present a methodology that demonstrates that it is possible to create, encode, and decode a self-describing data stream using: 1) existing data description language standards; 2) parsers to enforce language compliance; 3) a simple content language that flows out of the data description language; and 4) architecture neutral encoders and decoders based on ASN.1.
Long Noncoding RNA: Significance and Potential in Skin Biology

Over the past few years, advances in genome analyses have identified an emerging class of noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression and epigenetic reprogramming. Given their transcriptional pervasiveness, the potential for these intriguing macromolecules to integrate a myriad of external cellular cues with nuclear responses has become increasingly apparent. Recent studies have implicated noncoding RNAs in epidermal development and keratinocyte differentiation, but the complexity of multilevel regulation of transcriptional programs involved in these processes remains ill defined. In this review, we discuss the relevance of noncoding RNA in normal skin development, their involvement in cutaneous malignancies, and their role in the regulation of adult stem-cell maintenance in stratified epithelial tissues. Furthermore, we provide additional examples highlighting the ubiquity of noncoding RNAs in diverse human diseases.
Pizotyline effectively attenuates the stimulus effects of N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA)

MDMA (N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) produces a discriminative stimulus (DS) effect in animals, but attempts to completely block this action with selective neurotransmitter antagonists have not been very successful. Biochemically, MDMA can increase synaptic levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine that, conceivably, might interact with multiple populations or subpopulations of neurotransmitter receptors. The present study attempted to antagonize the DS effects of MDMA using the nonselective agents clozapine, cyproheptadine, and pizotyline. An extensive and comparative radioligand binding profile was also obtained for the latter two agents. The purported antagonists were administered in combination with the training dose of MDMA to groups of Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate 1.5 mg/kg of MDMA from saline vehicle in a standard two-lever operant paradigm using a VI-15s schedule of reinforcement. Clozapine was without effect at the doses evaluated, and cyproheptadine only partially attenuated MDMA-appropriate responding. In contrast, pizotyline (AD50=2.5 mg/kg), in combination with the MDMA training dose, resulted in a dose related decrease in percent drug-appropriate responding to saline levels. In a separate group of animals trained to discriminate the structurally-related agent N-methyl-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (PMMA) from vehicle, pretreatment with pizotyline also resulted in a substantial decrease in drug-appropriate responding. The results with cyproheptadine and pizotyline in the binding assays confirmed that these agents display high affinity for multiple subpopulations of serotonergic, dopaminergic, adrenergic, histaminergic, and cholinergic receptors. The overall results of the present investigation indicate that pizotyline, which is clinically available in some countries, might be of clinical utility in the treatment of MDMA overdose.
DNA microarray analysis of gene expression in endothelial cells in response to 24-h shear stress.

The recently developed DNA microarray technology provides a powerful and efficient tool to rapidly compare the differential expression of a large number of genes. Using the DNA microarray approach,...
Convergence and Parallelism in Evolution: A Neo-Gouldian Account

Determining whether a homoplastic trait is the result of convergence or parallelism is central to many of the most important contemporary discussions in biology and philosophy: the relation between evolution and development, the importance of constraints on variation, and the role of contingency in evolution. In this article, I show that two recent attempts to draw a black-or-white distinction between convergence and parallelism fail, albeit for different reasons. Nevertheless, I argue that we should not be afraid of gray areas: a clarified version of S. J. Gould’s earlier account, based on a separation of underlying developmental mechanisms from the realized trait, still represents a useful approach.
Food Storage in Gray Jays: Source Type and Cache Dispersion

Animals that store food items in scattered sites must decide how to distribute their caches in space. Our theoretical approach is based on the assumption that such animals disperse their caches in a manner that maximizes the long-term rate of storage of recoverable (surviving) food items in the habitat. We investigate the cache-spacing behavior of theoretical scatter hoarders that encounter food sources differing in the energetic content of the items they contain. We then describe a field experiment in which gray jays (Perisoreus canadensis) were presented with both small- and large-item food sources. The jays compensated for source type by spacing larger-item caches more widely, a compensation that would tend to yield a high rate of storage of recoverable food energy over the long term and throughout the territory. Previous models do not adequately account for the observed patterns of cache dispersion.
Cortical fMRI Activation to Sequences of Tones Alternating in Frequency: Relationship to Perceived Rate and Streaming

Human listeners were functionally imaged while reporting their perception of sequences of alternating-frequency tone bursts separated by 0, 1/8, 1, or 20 semitones. Our goal was to determine whether functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation of auditory cortex changes with frequency separation in a manner predictable from the perceived rate of the stimulus. At the null and small separations, the tones were generally heard as a single stream with a perceived rate equal to the physical tone presentation rate. fMRI activation in auditory cortex was appreciably phasic, showing prominent peaks at the sequence onset and offset. At larger-frequency separations, the higher- and lower-frequency tones perceptually separated into two streams, each with a rate equal to half the overall tone presentation rate. Under those conditions, fMRI activation in auditory cortex was more sustained throughout the sequence duration and was larger in magnitude and extent. Phasic to sustained changes in fMRI activation with changes in frequency separation and perceived rate are comparable to, and consistent with, those produced by changes in the physical rate of a sequence and are far greater than the effects produced by changing other physical stimulus variables, such as sound level or bandwidth. We suggest that the neural activity underlying the changes in fMRI activation with frequency separation contribute to the coding of the co-occurring changes in perceived rate and perceptual organization of the sound sequences into auditory streams.
Analysis of Spherical Sector Resonators for the Production of a Focused Laser Beam

The analysis of the modes of a spherical sector resonator reveals that with a simple change of variable the results of previous Fabry–Perot mode calculations of cylindrical resonators can be applied. The focusing action is shown to be equivalent to that of a corresponding cylindrical resonator and an associated lens. The diffraction limit at the focus for the lowest order mode is shown to be approximately the Fraunhofer diffraction limit of a focused uniformly illuminated circular aperture. In an appendix, a new method is presented for solving the integral equation for the mode description.
The Relationship between Social Cohesion and Empowerment: Support and New Implications for Theory

Empowerment theory represents an expansive view of individual and collective behavior that includes the active participation of individuals and groups in altering and shaping the socioenvironmental context. Critical to health educators are local interventions that yield participation of community members and empowerment for participants. The concept of social cohesion embraces participation but expands this behavioral emphasis to incorporate notions of trust, connectedness, and civic engagement. This study presents two data sets on the relationship of participation to empowerment. The first replicates and extends previous research by examining participation with interactional as well as intrapersonal empowerment. Second is the examination of how the quality of the participatory experience--the cohesive nature of participation--is related to interactional and intrapersonal empowerment. Findings support and extend previous findings, reliably cluster residents by the degree of connectedness in their participatory experiences, and reveal that social cohesion is related to intrapersonal empowerment.
Just Methodology? A Review of Archaeology's Debts to Michael Schiffer

Michael Schiffer’s Behavioral Archaeology is one of several moves in mid- to late twentieth century archaeology toward actualistically based, detailed materials analysis with the aim of developing uniformitarian principles to apply to archaeological cases. Substantial parallels exists between Schiffer’s agenda and its products and those of at least some zooarchaeologists and taphonomists, including use of chaine operatoire or behavioral chain approaches and experimentation, as well as other materials analysis agendas. Differences as well as similarities are explored, as are continued impediments to development of archaeology as a systematic science.
The influence of epidermal windows on the light environment within the leaves of six succulents

An omni-directional fibre optic microprobe was used to measure the quantity and quality of light within the leaves of six succulents having epidermal windows, three species having a subterranean growth habit (Haworthia truncata, Lithops olivacea, and Opthalmophyllum longum) and three growing above ground (Peperomia dolabriformis, P. graveolens, and the sprawling vine Senecio rowleyanus). Although light levels at most locations inside the leaves of all species were high, near those incident on the window surfaces, light levels inside the leaves of the two species of Peperomia often greatly exceeded incident light levels, indicating considerable light scattering and focusing by the leaf tissue. The spectral quality of light inside the leaves of all taxa reflected the absorption properties of chlorophyll, with most of the photons in the green wavelengths. Light quality and quantity inside the leaves did not correlate with the growth habit of the plants, the size of the window (as a proportion of the total leaf area), or location inside the leaf, although light levels generally declined and wavelengths increased deeper in the leaves. Application of reflective tape to the windows reduced internal light levels in L. olivacea and S. rowleyanus, although reductions were not always statistically significant. Although light levels throughout the leaves of P. graveolens were substantially and significantly reduced as a result of the application of reflective tape to its windows, the light levels even at the basal chlorenchyma on the abaxial side of the leaf remained high. In all species investigated, the levels of near-infrared radiation inside the leaves were surprisingly high, yet also declined deeper inside the succulent leaves. This near-infrared radiation may add to the heat load of these plants. Furthermore, application of reflective tape to the windows also reduced the amount of near-infrared radiation inside the leaves of the three succulents examined. These results led to a novel, testable hypothesis that may help to explain previous findings that application of reflective tape to the windows of the leaves of these succulents did not effect a reduction in photosynthetic activity.
Cribbing behavior of horses consuming ad libitum concentrate feed

ABSTRACT Previous research indicates equine cribbing behavior increases around concentrate meals. Ten cribbing geldings were used to investigate effects of ad libitum (AL) concentrate feeding on cribbing behavior. Horses were randomly assigned to AL (n = 5) or control (n = 5) groups and received a baseline ration of 1.8 kg of pelleted concentrate delivered 2 times per day at the start of the study (d 0). Control horses remained on this diet throughout the study. Concentrate feed for AL horses was increased to 3.6 kg per horse 4 times per day (d 1 to 102), then reduced to 0.9 kg per horse 4 times per day (d 103 to 136) and finally returned to baseline (d 137 to 176). Numbers of crib bites and bouts and duration of crib bouts were recorded for all horses during six 24-h observation periods (d 0, 28, 66, 102, 136, and 170). Data were analyzed as a repeated measures design, which revealed a significant (P
Liquefaction Analysis of Horizontally Layered Sands

A method is presented for analysis of seismic response and liquefaction of the horizontally layered saturated soils that are modeled as fluid saturated porous solids. Coupled dynamic equations of motion are used and nonlinear material properties are assigned to the solid granular portion. The paper describes the theory and the material model used. The proposed method is used in case studies, including a Niigata like soil profile and the results of the analyses are considered.
How Different are Islamicate Societies

After 9-11, a new discourse emerged which claimed that contemporary Islamicate compared badly on several indicators – economic development, democracy, women’s rights, and maintaining peace with neighbors – with other developing societies. This essay critiques these claims, where possible by testing them against facts.
Asymmetric Syntheses of the Flavonoid Diels-Alder Natural Products Sanggenons C and O.

Metal-catalyzed, double Claisen rearrangement of a bis-allyloxyflavone has been utilized to enable a concise synthesis of the hydrobenzofuro[3,2-b]chromenone core structure of the natural products sanggenon A and sanggenol F. In addition, catalytic, enantioselective [4+2] cycloadditions of 2′-hydroxychalcones have been accomplished using B(OPh)3/BINOL complexes. Asymmetric syntheses of the flavonoid Diels–Alder natural products sanggenons C and O have been achieved employing a stereodivergent reaction of a racemic mixture (stereodivergent RRM) involving [4+2] cycloaddition.
AIN: A Blueprint for an All-IP Data Center Network.

With both Ethernet and IP powering Data Center Networks (DCNs), one should wonder if their coexistence is necessary or an unquestioned legacy. Especially in cloud DCNs, the role of layer-2 is diminishing rapidly as the vast majority of applications only require layer-3 connectivity. At the same time, cloud workloads are demanding that DCN architectures better support network scalability, multitenancy, address virtualization, and endhost mobility. This paper argues that today’s DCN architectures have a conjoined layer-2 and layer-3 design that is not only unnecessary, but is counter productive. We present AIN, a blueprint for scalable all-IP DCN. AIN implements virtual routers inside hypervisors, eliminating the need for virtual switching. It leverages the proven scalability of routing protocols and avoids unnecessary packet encapsulation, while supporting both multitenancy and end-host mobility. Finally, AIN is compatible with existing applications and is fully realizable with current protocols and hardware.
Evolution of the diatoms: major steps in their evolution and a review of the supporting molecular and morphological evidence.

Abstract: Over the years, many reviews of different aspects of diatom biology, ecology and evolution have appeared. Since 1993 many molecular trees have been produced to infer diatom phylogeny. In 2004, Medlin & Kaczmarska revised the systematics of the diatoms based on more than 20 years of consistent recovery of two major clades of diatoms that did not correspond to a traditional concept of centrics and pennates and established three classes of diatoms: Clade 1 = Coscinodiscophyceae (radial centrics) and Clade 2 = Mediophyceae (polar centrics + radial Thalassiosirales) and Bacillariophyceae (pennates). However, under certain analytical conditions, an alternative view of diatom evolution, a grades of clades, has been recovered that suggests a gradual evolution from centric to pennate symmetry. These two schemes of diatom evolution are evaluated in terms of whether or not the criteria advocated by Medlin & Kaczmarska that should be met to recover monophyletic classes have been used. The monophyly of the t...
Recent Audit Failures and the Impact on Smaller Public Accounting Firms in the Sacramento Area

Much publicity has been given to audit failures by major CPA firms in recent years, resulting in passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and removing the authority to set auditing standards from the American Institute of CPAs. While much has been said and written about how to reform the major accounting firms, relatively little has been written about smaller CPA firms. This paper examines the perceived impact of proposed reforms on smaller CPA firms in the Sacramento Area. Responses were mixed. There was, however, much concern about the possibility of mandatory rotation of partners.
Communication security in internet of thing: preventive measure and avoid DDoS attack over IoT network

The idea of Internet of Things (IoT) is implanting networked heterogeneous detectors into our daily life. It opens extra channels for information submission and remote control to our physical world. A significant feature of an IoT network is that it collects data from network edges. Moreover, human involvement for network and devices maintenance is greatly reduced, which suggests an IoT network need to be highly self-managed and self-secured. For the reason that the use of IoT is growing in many important fields, the security issues of IoT need to be properly addressed. Among all, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) is one of the most notorious attacking behaviors over network which interrupt and block genuine user requests by flooding the host server with huge number of requests using a group of zombie computers via geographically distributed internet connections. DDoS disrupts service by creating network congestion and disabling normal functions of network components, which is even more disruptive for IoT. In this paper, a lightweight defensive algorithm for DDoS attack over IoT network environment is proposed and tested against several scenarios to dissect the interactive communication among different types of network nodes.
Geosocial Networking App Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Serious Romantic Relationships

Geosocial networking (GSN) mobile phone applications ("apps") are used frequently among men who have sex with men (MSM) to socialize and meet sexual partners. Though GSN apps are used by some MSM in partnered relationships, little is known about how the use of GSN apps among MSM in serious romantic relationships can influence couples' sexual and relationship health. MSM in serious relationships (N = 323; M age = 40 years) were recruited through a popular GSN app for MSM. Participants completed open-ended items regarding the costs and benefits of app use to their relationships, discussions of app use with their partners, and preferences for relationship education related to app use. Reported benefits of app use included improving sex and communication with one's primary partner and fulfilling unmet sexual needs. Although approximately half had not discussed app use with their partners, citing app use as a "non-issue," many cited various drawbacks to app use, including jealousy and being a distraction from the relationship. Few described sexual health concerns as a drawback to meeting partners through apps. Regarding relationship education preferences, most wanted help with general communication skills and how to express one's sexual needs to a partner. Although GSN app use can enhance relationships and sex among partnered MSM, unclear communication about app use may contribute to negative relationship outcomes and could prevent partners from having sexual needs met. Relationship and sexual health education programs for male couples should consider addressing social media and technology use in their curricula.
Effects of Catalyst Promoters on the Growth of Single-Layer Carbon Nanotubes

The discovery of a catalytic route to the growth of single-layer carbon nanotubes suggests that it may be possible to produce these materials with better selectivity and in higher yield1,2. Increasing the production efficiency is essential for characterization and application of these materials. We have discovered several catalyst promoters, in particular S, Bi, and Pb, that greatly enhance the single-layer carbon nanotube yield, and extend the distribution of nanotube diameters to much larger sizes (> 3 nm). Co crystallites encapsulated in graphitic polyhedra also form abundantly when S, Bi, or W is present. Understanding these catalytic process is of substantial scientific and technological importance.
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CHROMOSOMES OF THE GUARANI GROUP OF DROSOPHILA

In some families of plants and animals there is great uniformity of karyotype; in other families, sometimes even within a single genus, there is considerable variation. Where such variation exists, it is variation on an established theme, for karyotype like macromorphology arises as the result of various tendencies which preserve a somewhat unstable equilibrium within the organism. When it varies, it does not do so capriciously or arbitrarily. In groups where the usual taxonomic characters differ very slightly from species to species, chromosomal configuration may be a better guide to specific differences than the characters of external morphology. Within the genus Drosophila there is considerable variation of karyotype from species to species. The haploid number of chromosomes varies from three to six, and individual chromosomes may be rods, dots, V's or J's in varying sizes and proportions. Certain general configurations are found widely spread throughout the genus,; again, two species scarcely differing morphologically may have very distinct chromosomal complements. The several very similar species of the virilis group were first satisfactorily separated as a result of chromosomal analysis (Patterson, 1943). The guarani group consists of six species which on the basis of morphology are very closely related. They clearly belong to the subgenus Drosophila but are not closely related to any other known species of the genus. The present paper deals with the chromosomal configuration of these six species and the light which this chromosoinal analysis sheds on the interspecific relationships within the group. Another paper dealing with the general interspecific relationships aside from the chromosomal configurations is in preparation and will be published shortly. The six species of the guarani' group are the following: guarani' Dobzhansky and Pavan, guaru Dobzhansky and Pavan, guaramurnu Dobzhansky and Pavan (Dobzhansky and Pavan, 1943), griseolineata Duda (Duda, 1925), subbadia Patterson (Patterson, 1943), and guaraja, species nova, described below.
ELECTRIC PROPULSION TUG MODELING IMPROVEMENTS AND APPLICATION TO THE NASA/DARPA MANNED GEOSYNCHRONOUS SERVICING STUDY

This paper describes the improvements that have been made to design tools involved in vehicle and mission modeling of electric propulsion vehicles and inter/intra-orbit relocation vehicles i.e. space tugs. The integration of advanced solar array technology, in-development propulsion systems, rendezvous and capture mechanisms and sensors, and orbital maneuvering trajectories into the Modular Concurrent Engineering Methodology (Mod CEM) design tool has been investigated. These improvements have supported tasks for both the USAF Space and Missile Command (SMC) Materiel Innovation Working Group (MIWG) and the NASA/DARPA Manned Geosynchronous Servicing Study. The effort incorporated power and sizing information for the Boeing Fast Access Spacecraft Testbed (FAST) concentrator and Integrated Blanket/Interconnect System (IBIS) planar solar arrays. Engineering models, technology trends, and specific performance and design information were also incorporated for Hall-effect thrusters, ion engines, and variable specific impulse magnetoplasma rockets (VASIMR). In addition, a model of a smart rendezvous and capture package that includes systems to enable autonomous rendezvous and docking with arbitrarily design satellites was incorporated for payload mass, power, and system effects. These hardware modeling advancements have also been coupled with trajectory analysis and concept of operations development. This allowed system studies to be performed assessing the impact of each technology advancement, system effects for tug reusability, and mission applications including: within-geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) transfer, low Earth orbit (LEO)-to-GEO transfer, GEO-to-High Earth Orbit (HEO) transfer, and servicing operations. Vehicle masses, phasing requirements, fuel use and refueling needs were analyzed and reported for each technology and mission class. For most of the applications explored the results showed clear benefits to the development of electric propulsion based tug systems in comparison to chemical propulsion based tug systems.
A Gear Transmission System

From Luo (2009), Luo and O'Connor (2009), the gear transmission system with a gear pair will be described through an impact model with possible stick between the two gears. The motion mechanism of impacting chatter with stick will be presented herein. The onset and vanishing conditions for stick motions will be discussed, and the condition for maintaining stick motion will be obtained as well. Grazing and stick conditions will be used for the existence of periodic motions. Such periodic motions will be predicted analytically through mapping structures, and the local stability and bifurcation analyses will be completed. A better understanding of the motion mechanism between two gears may be helpful for improving the efficiency of gear transmission systems.
Assessing Therapeutic Communication During Rehabilitation: The Clinical Assessment of Modes.

OBJECTIVE This study applied Rasch analysis to test four versions of the Clinical Assessment of Modes (CAM), an assessment based on Taylor's Intentional Relationship Model: CAM-P, which assesses clients' pretreatment preferences; CAM-E, clients' treatment experience; CAM-T, therapists' self-reported perspective; and CAM-O, an observer rating scale. METHOD The CAM-P was administered to 63 inpatients. The CAM-E was administered to 110 inpatients and outpatients. Trained raters rated therapists' modes with 59 inpatients and outpatients on the CAM-O. The CAM-T was administered to 38 therapists. Analyses of reliability and validity were conducted. RESULTS The CAM demonstrated adequate construct validity. All versions showed acceptable internal consistency and unidimensionality within each of the subscales. Disorder between the 5 points on the ordinal rating scale was found for the client measures (CAM-P, CAM-E) and was resolved by modifying the ratings to encompass a 4-point scale. CONCLUSION The four CAM versions are reliable and valid measures of therapeutic communication in rehabilitation.
Dimethylmercury Formation Mediated by Inorganic and Organic Reduced Sulfur Surfaces

Underlying formation pathways of dimethylmercury ((CH3)2Hg) in the ocean are unknown. Early work proposed reactions of inorganic Hg (HgII) with methyl cobalamin or of dissolved monomethylmercury (CH3Hg) with hydrogen sulfide as possible bacterial mediated or abiotic pathways. A significant fraction (up to 90%) of CH3Hg in natural waters is however adsorbed to reduced sulfur groups on mineral or organic surfaces. We show that binding of CH3Hg to such reactive sites facilitates the formation of (CH3)2Hg by degradation of the adsorbed CH3Hg. We demonstrate that the reaction can be mediated by different sulfide minerals, as well as by dithiols suggesting that e.g. reduced sulfur groups on mineral particles or on protein surfaces could mediate the reaction. The observed fraction of CH3Hg methylated on sulfide mineral surfaces exceeded previously observed methylation rates of CH3Hg to (CH3)2Hg in seawaters and we suggest the pathway demonstrated here could account for much of the (CH3)2Hg found in the ocean.
APPLICATION OF QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR PERFORMANCE-BASED PERMITTING OF HYDROGEN FUELING STATIONS.

Abstract NFPA 2, Hydrogen Technologies Code, allows the use of risk-informed approaches to permitting hydrogen fueling installations, through the use of performance-based evaluations of specific hydrogen hazards. However, the hydrogen fueling industry in the United States has been reluctant to implement the performance-based option because the perception is that the required effort is cost prohibitive and there is no guarantee that the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) would accept the results. This report provides a methodology for implementing a performance-based design of an outdoor hydrogen refueling station that does not comply with specific prescriptive separation distances. Performance-based designs are a code-compliant alternative to meeting prescriptive requirements. Compliance is demonstrated by evaluating a compliant prescriptive-based refueling station design with a performance-based design approach using Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) methods and hydrogen risk tools. This template utilizes the Sandia-developed QRA tool, Hydrogen Risk Analysis Model (HyRAM), to calculate risk values when developing risk-equivalent designs. HyRAM combines reduced-order deterministic models that characterize hydrogen release and flame behavior with probabilistic risk models to quantify risk values. Each project is unique and this template is not intended to cover unique, site-specific characteristics. Instead, example content and a methodology are provided for a representative hydrogen refueling site which can be built upon for new hydrogen applications.
Next-Generation Bisulfite Sequencing of Aml Reveals Widespread Acquisition of Epigenetic Abnormalities in Leukemic Stem Cells That Are Stably Retained in More Mature Leukemic Cell Fractions

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease of aberrant hematopoietic differentiation believed to mirror the hierarchical pattern of hematopoiesis with leukemia stem cells (LSC) serving as the originating cell population from which the tumor arises. Like hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), leukemia stem cells are believed to be largely quiescent and therefore impervious to conventional chemotherapeutics resulting in relapse of disease despite achievement of clinical remission. The DNA methylation profiles of bulk leukemia cells differ significantly from normal CD34+ cells; however, less is known about the potential differences between epigenetic profiles of purified LSC and normal HSC. Moreover, the stability of the methylome as the LSC differentiate into mature leukemia progenitor cells (LPC) has not been studied. In order to address this LSC, LPC, and HSC were sorted from the bone marrow of AML patients and normal controls based on CD34, CD38, CD45 and ALDH activity. LSC were defined as CD34+ CD38- ALDHmid; LPC as CD34+ CD38+; and HSC as CD34+ CD38- ALDHhigh. These isolated fractions were used for genome-wide DNA methylation analysis by the next-generation enhanced reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (ERRBS) assay, which allowed for the comparison of the methylation landscapes of LSC and HSC, as well as those of LSC and LPC. A total of thirteen AML samples were examined for the presence of LSC, six of which did not have an ALDHmid population but had instead an ALDHhigh population. Because of their phenotypic similarity to normal HSC, these samples were not included in the present comparison against HSC. The methylomes of six independent LSC samples were compared to methylomes of five HSC. Sequenced ERRBS libraries were aligned against the human genome (hg19) and differentially methylated regions (DMR) were identified using a beta-binomial model and selecting regions with absolute mean methylation difference of >25% and false discovery rate (FDR) Disclosures Gore: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.
Impact of Laws Regulating Pain Clinics on Opioid Prescribing and Opioid-Related Toxicity among Texas Medicare Part D Beneficiaries

Background: Pain management clinics are major sources of prescription opioids. Texas government passed several laws regulating pain clinics between 2009 and 2011 to reduce opioid-related toxicity. Understanding the impact of these laws can inform policy geared toward making the laws more effective in curbing the growing epidemic of opioid overdose, especially among the elderly population. Objectives: To examine the longitudinal association of laws regulating pain clinics on opioid-prescribing and opioid-related toxicity among Texas Medicare recipients. Methods: The 2007 to 2012 claims data for Texas Medicare Part D recipients were used to assess temporal trends in the percentage of patients filling any schedule II or schedule III opioid prescription, hospitalization for opioid toxicity, and their relationships to the 2009 to 2011 Texas laws regulating pain clinics. We excluded those with a cancer diagnosis. Join-point trend analysis with Bayesian Information Criterion selection methods were used to evalua...
A Model of Female Sexual Desire: Internalized Working Models of Parent-Child Relationships and Sexual Body Self-Representations.

The etiology of low female sexual desire, the most prevalent sexual complaint in women, is multi-determined, implicating biological and psychological factors, including women’s early parent–child relationships and bodily self-representations. The current study evaluated a model that hypothesized that sexual body self-representations (sexual subjectivity, self-objectification, genital self-image) explain (i.e., mediate) the relation between internalized working models of parent–child relationships (attachment, separation–individuation, parental identification) and sexual desire in heterosexual women. We recruited 614 young, heterosexual women (M = 25.5 years, SD = 4.63) through social media. The women completed an online survey. Structural equation modeling was used. The hypotheses were supported in that the relation between internalized working models of parent–child relationships (attachment and separation–individuation) and sexual desire was mediated by sexual body self-representations (sexual body esteem, self-objectification, genital self-image). However, parental identification was not related significantly to sexual body self-representations or sexual desire in the model. Current findings demonstrated that understanding female sexual desire necessitates considering women’s internalized working models of early parent–child relationships and their experiences of their bodies in a sexual context. Treatment of low or absent desire in women would benefit from modalities that emphasize early parent–child relationships as well as interventions that foster mind–body integration.
Surface roughness prediction as a classification problem using support vector machine

In order to achieve a high level of product quality, it is imperative to gain a high degree of predictability especially in automated manufacturing setup. Surface finish is one of the most important measures for determining the quality of products in machining. Therefore, accurate predictive models for surface finish are needed. This paper utilizes vibration signals that are experimentally obtained during the end milling of aluminum plates at different cutting conditions. Several features are extracted by processing the acquired signals in both the time and frequency domains. The feature sets include statistical parameters, fast Fourier transforms (FFT) spectra, and the wavelet packets. This work introduces a classifier based on a support vector machine to analyze the set of features in order to predict the type of surface finish. Experiments are conducted for three different types of kernels and parameter configurations. One objective is to examine the effect of feature reduction on the performance of the proposed classifier using three different feature selection algorithms. Another objective is to compare the results with k-nearest neighbor, decision tree, and random forest classifiers. The results show the effectiveness of feature reduction and support vector machine in the success of the proposed classifier.
1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Inhibits De Novo Fatty Acid Synthesis and Metastatic Capability of Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer continues to be the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women. Although treatment of localized breast cancer has been effective with five year survival reaching 99%, sur...
Applications: Social Vulnerability to Disaster (Hampton and Hertford Counties-Isabel)

Abstract Emergency preparedness often focuses on a community's physical vulnerability—the risk posed by hazards to structures and infrastructure and the people inhabiting these structures. The risk posed by natural hazards, however, is not limited to physical proximity nor is it distributed equally to all members of a community. Hurricane Katrina vividly illustrated how risk is a confluence of hazard exposure, sociopolitical decisions about how to manipulate the physical environment, and individual and community sociodemographic characteristics. The Federal Emergency Management Agency funded the Emergency Preparedness Demonstration Project to “identify and overcome barriers to increasing emergency awareness and preparedness” in socially vulnerable communities. As part of this process, communities in Hertford County, North Carolina, and Hampton, Virginia, helped to design, administer, and analyze surveys and interviews to learn about emergency awareness and preparedness. This chapter recounts the data collection processes and findings from those efforts.
Epidurals and the Modern Labor Curve: How Epidural Timing Impacts Fetal Station during Active Labor.

Objective The objective of this study was to estimate epidural timing's impact on fetal station during active labor. Study Design This secondary analysis of a single-institution prospective cohort study included all term singleton pregnancies, stratified by parity. Those with early epidurals (placed at 95%). Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for labor type. Results Among 7,647 women, 3,434 were nulliparous (2,983 with early epidurals and 451 with late epidurals) and 4,213 multiparous (3,141 with early epidurals and 1,072 with late epidurals). Interquartile ranges (IQRs) suggested fetal station at 6 cm was likely lower among those with early epidurals (nulliparous: median head station −1 [IQR: −1 to 0] for early epidural vs. −1 [IQR: −2 to 0] for late epidural, p Conclusion Early epidurals were associated with lower fetal station in active labor but not prolonged first stage.
The convergence of smartphone apps, gamification and competition to increase cycling

Abstract This study investigates how changes in cycling encouragement program game mechanics affect measured bicycle riding frequency. The study relies on cycling program participant data from three large-scale and recurring annual encouragement campaigns (the UK National Cycle Challenge, Sydney Rides Challenge, and Atlanta Bike Challenge) with a total of 66,762 unique registrants. We compare effects for users both engaged via smartphone applications and across sub-samples determined by the participants’ reported riding activity at program sign-up. Comparing year-over-year differences for each program (including pre- and post-introduction controls) indicates that adjustments in progress indicators (points) and a greater emphasis on smartphone application connectivity are effective at generating greater reported riding activity. Based on this we confirm that digital encouragement and/or gamification campaigns may, if structured and managed correctly and given sufficient support and resources, offer the potential for communities to generate additional ridership and interest in bicycling while also collecting data useful to improving infrastructure planning and design decisions. Finally, we identify significant differences of scale between the impact of these changes between participants tracking via smartphone applications vs. those relying on manual entry; this provides evidence in support of the increased attention being paid to personal GPS-enabled devices as a means for better facilitating behavior change.
Microbiological Analysis of Urine Cultures in Women after Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery.

Background/aims The rate of urinary tract infection (UTI) after pelvic reconstructive surgery ranges from 9 to 48% and the most common uropathogen is Escherichia coli (E. coli). The aim of the study is to identify the predominant uro-pathogen from urine cultures in women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on women who underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery at a tertiary care center from July 2013 to June 2015. Data was collected from each postoperative visit to evaluate urinary tract symptoms, culture results and treatment in the 3-month postoperative interval. Results There were 880 cases reviewed (mean age of 59.6 years) during the study period. The most common organism in positive cultures was E. coli after surgery. The total UTI rate was 11.3%. Patients discharged with a Foley catheter had a UTI rate of 65.6% (p = 0.003). Diabetes, neurologic disease, tobacco use, recurrent UTIs and breast or gynecologic cancers had no significant association with UTI after surgery. Conclusion The most common organism identified is E. coli. Almost 12% of patients will develop a UTI after pelvic reconstructive surgery. The results of this study can influence management of lower urinary tract symptoms in the postoperative period.
Interactive Justice and Democratic Authority

I raise two critical points about Ceva’s theory of interactive justice. First, I argue the value of individual dignity is insufficient in itself to establish principles of interactive justice, but ...
Cucurbit Downy Mildew: A Unique Pathosystem for Disease Forecasting

Downy mildew of cucurbits is caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Rostovtsev. This disease has a worldwide distribution and probably occurs wherever cucurbits are grown (except unirrigated, very dry climates) and is especially prevalent in areas with a warm, humid climate. For example, in the United States (US) the disease is prevalent in the southeast occurring each year on all commercially grown cucurbits. However, its occurrence in the desert areas of the southwest is very rare.
Balance and Posture Control: Human

Charles Darwin pointed out that one of the most important implications of the attainment of uprightness was that it freed the hands from locomotion function, so that they became available for sustained use in other directions, such as implementing instrumental activities. Nevertheless, our bodies are still subject to what Arthur Keith called the ‘illness of uprightness.’ Although the upright posture has been the subject of considerable research, our knowledge about balance, in general, and mechanisms of human posture control, in particular, is still incomplete. In this article, we provide a brief perspective of some key issues in the postural control of humans. We give an emphasis to current research on the role of cortical function, particularly the cerebral cortex in balance control.
Optimistic Scenarios: Successful Resource Corridors

Prospects for Afghanistan appear slim against all the negatives. Afghans are famously pragmatic, however, and can realign political positions on short notice to back a winning plan. Resource corridors thus offer serious consideration for guarded optimism. The better educated urban youth are especially interested in these prospects. This in combination with some recent evidence that the newly trained Afghanistan Army can hold its own against the Taliban insurgency does offer some reasonable hope for success. Pakistan’s new nonmilitary government seems to be restoring civilian control of the government, which might enable encouragement of stabilization in Afghanistan. Thus the resource corridors in Afghanistan may work to get the country away from its resource curse and more into a modern economy, which could contribute to regional well-being and increase standards of living. Careful environmental control, with governing transparency and oversight can help curtail corruption. The industrial competition of the large local powers in Afghanistan, China, and India is essential in getting the resources out of the ground, and in maintaining regional oversight and control. Pakistan could share in resource benefits if they assisted in transboundary flood control and irrigation, while also encouraging transport across their lands. Proposed internal government reform in Afghanistan, with external oversight might actually be successful.
MK-2206 window of opportunity study in breast cancer.

The course of drug discovery and development is expensive, and takes 10–15 years with a high failure rate. Promising candidate drugs that pass in vitro investigations undergo in vivo testing for efficacy and safety. Novel cancer treatments are often assessed in patients who did not benefit from standard treatments. These heavily pretreated patients may have developed significant heterogeneity and multidrug resistance. They may also have a high tumor burden, which may limit activity of novel agents and stop their future development.
Challenges of kidney transplantation in HIV positive recipients

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has long been a contraindication to kidney transplantation due to transplant immunosuppression, HIV-associated renal dysfunction, and nephrotoxicity associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, advances in antiretroviral therapies and transplant immunosuppression regimens have allowed patients to successfully undergo kidney transplantation. Emerging data has shown that kidney transplantation may be a viable option for appropriately selected HIV patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this review, we discuss the indications, immunosuppression protocols, and outcomes of kidney transplantation in HIV patients.
Psychophysical and anatomical evidence for hidden hearing loss in laboratory mice

Exposure to high intensity sound can lead to temporary or permanent threshold shifts. Noise exposures that do not cause long-term hearing deficits, however, can induce extensive afferent ribbon synapse loss, while hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons remain mostly intact (Kujawa and Liberman, 2009). This loss of synapses despite normal hearing thresholds is referred to as hidden hearing loss (HHL). We examined the development of HHL in laboratory mice using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement. After exposing mice to 8–16 kHz narrowband noise at 100 dB SPL for 2 h, hearing thresholds temporarily shifted for both pure tone and ultrasonic vocalization stimuli; however, post-exposure thresholds and threshold shifts varied by sex and age. Immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy were conducted to quantify peripheral damage and central synaptic reorganization once behavioral testing was complete. Brains were collected, sectioned, and labeled against VGLUT1 or GAD65 and labeling was quantified in the ventral cochlear nucleus. Cochleas were also collected, dissected, and labeled for myosin6 to label hair cells and either CTBP2 or SV2 to identify afferent or efferent terminals, respectively. Our findings show that mice are able to behaviorally recover hearing following non-traumatic noise exposure despite changes in peripheral and central auditory structures.