cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methods for Detection of Anticarsia gemmatalis Nucleopolyhedrovirus DNA in Soil

Two methods, phenol-ether and magnetic capture-hybridization (MCH), were developed and compared with regard to their sensitivities and abilities to extract the DNA of the insect baculovirus Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) from soil and to produce DNA amplifiable by PCR. Laboratory experiments were performed with 0.25 g of autoclaved soil inoculated with different viral concentrations to optimize both methods of baculovirus DNA extraction and to determine their sensitivities. Both procedures produced amplifiable DNA; however, the MCH method was 100-fold more sensitive than the phenol-ether procedure. The removal of PCR inhibitors from the soil appeared to be complete when MCH was used as the viral DNA isolation method, because undiluted aliquots of the DNA preparations could be amplified by PCR. The phenol-ether procedure probably did not completely remove PCR inhibitors from the soil, since PCR products were observed only when the AgMNPV DNA preparations were diluted 10- or 100-fold. AgMNPV DNA was detected in field-collected soil samples from 15 to 180 days after virus application when the MCH procedure to isolate DNA was coupled with PCR amplification of the polyhedrin region.
The root cause of patient safety concerns in an Internet pharmacy.

Background: The Internet has become a revolutionary technology that affords worldwide opportunities never seen before. One such opportunity is the purchase of drugs over the Internet and the business of Internet pharmacies which has become prolific. Associated with this proliferation is the concern for patient safety. Numerous studies have shown that drugs purchased over the Internet come from pharmacies in a country other than the one where the patient resides and these pharmacies are not licensed, sometimes provide drugs without a prescription and that are not of the same composition as they should be, and do not provide adequate directions to the patient. In addition, the packaging of the drugs may be compromised resulting in altered medication. Objective: This paper examines the root cause of patient safety issues in Internet pharmacies. Methods: A review of the literature including the marketing literature was conducted. Results/conclusion: Healthcare marketing concepts guide business owners to ident...
Propagation of Correlated Activity through Multiple Stages of a Neural Circuit

The timing of spikes can carry information, for instance, when the temporal pattern of firing across neurons results in correlated activity. However, in part because central synapses are unreliable, correlated activity has not been observed to propagate through multiple subsequent stages in neural circuits, although such propagation has frequently been used in theoretical models. Using simultaneous single-unit and multiunit recordings from two or three vocal control nuclei of songbirds, measurement of coherency and time delays, and manipulation of neural activity, we provide evidence here for preserved correlation of activity through multiple steps of the neural circuit for song, including a basal ganglia circuit and its target vocal motor pathway. This suggests that these pathways contain highly functionally interconnected neurons and represent a neural architecture that can preserve information about the timing of firing of groups of neurons. Because the interaction of these song pathways is critical to vocal learning, the preserved correlation of activity may be important to the learning and production of sequenced motor acts and could be a general feature of basal ganglia–cortical interaction.
Can perseverative responses on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test be scored accurately

Abstract Anecdotal reports have led to questions concerning the reliability and accuracy with which Heaton's Wisconsin Card Sorting Test perseverative response criteria can be applied. In addressing this question, this study found that practicing clinicians were less accurate than “experts” and two groups of novices. A computer scoring system allowed one novice to score with “expert” level accuracy. Utilization of this system should increase scoring accuracy. However, the program cannot accurately score protocols when the response cards are in nonstandard order. Solutions to this problem are discussed.
The Role of Electronic Communication Technology in Adolescent Dating Violence

PROBLEM: Adolescent dating violence and electronic aggression are significant public health problems. The purpose of this study was to (a) identify ways in which technology is used in dating violence and (b) present examples of dating violence in which electronic aggression played a salient role. METHODS: The data set included the transcribed narratives of 56 young adults who had described their adolescent dating violence experiences for an on going study. FINDINGS: Eight ways in which technology is used in dating violence were identified using qualitative descriptive methods. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that electronic communication technology influences dating violence by redefining boundaries between dating partners. Language: en
Derivation of a Triple Mosaic Adenovirus for Cancer Gene Therapy

A safe and efficacious cancer medicine is necessary due to the increasing population of cancer patients whose particular diseases cannot be cured by the currently available treatment. Adenoviral (Ad) vectors represent a promising therapeutic medicine for human cancer therapy. However, several improvements are needed in order for Ad vectors to be effective cancer therapeutics, which include, but are not limited to, improvement of cellular uptake, enhanced cancer cell killing activity, and the capability of vector visualization and tracking once injected into the patients. To this end, we attempted to develop an Ad as a multifunctional platform incorporating targeting, imaging, and therapeutic motifs. In this study, we explored the utility of this proposed platform by generating an Ad vector containing the poly-lysine (pK), the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase (TK), and the monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP1) as targeting, tumor cell killing, and imaging motifs, respectively. Our study herein demonstrates the generation of the triple mosaic Ad vector with pK, HSV-1 TK, and mRFP1 at the carboxyl termini of Ad minor capsid protein IX (pIX). In addition, the functionalities of pK, HSV-1 TK, and mRFP1 proteins on the Ad vector were retained as confirmed by corresponding functional assays, indicating the potential multifunctional application of this new Ad vector for cancer gene therapy. The validation of the triple mosaic Ad vectors also argues for the ability of pIX modification as a base for the development of multifunctional Ad vectors.
Two-dimensional computer modeling of single junction a-Si:H solar cells

A two dimensional physically-based computer simulation of single junction pin amorphous silicon solar cells is presented using Sentaurus, Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD). The simulation program solves the Poisson, the continuity, and the current density equations by using a standard procedure for amorphous materials, including the continuous density of state model, Shockley-Read-Hall and Auger recombination mechanisms, and computes the generation function of electron-hole pairs from the optical parameters of each layer. The dependence of these optical parameters with the photon energy has been included, taking into account the doping level, thickness of each layer and their effect on cell efficiency. The simulator is applied to the analysis of a p-i-n single junction a-SiC:H/a-Si:H/a-Si:H solar cell, obtaining results comparable to one dimensional simulation results using AMPS (analysis of microelectronic and photonic structure)-1D. More advanced simulation models for novel solar cell devices such as tandem cells are in progress, with the aim of achieving an optimal design of solar cells based on amorphous materials or micro-/nanocrystalline layers.
Measuring harmonic distortion and noise floor of an A/D converter using spectral averaging

The author proposes to use spectral averaging techniques to measure the harmonic distortion and noise floor of an analog/digital (A/D) digitizing subsystem. The noise floor of an ideal B-bit A/D converter is derived in closed form. It is shown that this noise floor is a function of the A/D resolution B, the record length N, and the equivalent noise bandwidth E/sub B/ of the window function used in the discrete-Fourier-transform (DFT) computation. For an example, the noise floor is given for the case in which the magnitude square of the spectrum is averaged. Both experimental and simulation results are presented and it is shown that they are in good agreement with the theoretical results. >
The analysis of structurally constrained minimum mean-square error block matrix filters

We consider here the problem of applying system requirements in SISO FIR block matrix filters, their least-squares error formulation with a look towards improving computational efficiency, and their eventual performance characterization. It is shown that the proposed least squares formulation can be applied to structural requirements in general and that the approach taken in this paper is adequate for estimation and detection applications with the ultimate goal of real-time processing.
Resource location in very large networks

Networks such as the Internet and the telephone system are examples of ubiquitous large networks. While such networks are quite common, what is not so common is completely scalable, non-hierarchical naming that is independent of the entities location or affiliations. The problem of providing a unique, logical name for each nameable entity that can be kept immutant over the lifetime of the entity has been studied in many contexts. However, most results are not scalable for really large worldwide networks. We first motivate the need for such naming schemes and then explore the possible name translation solutions. We develop a set of pragmatic criteria that a solution has to provide. The scenario we use is a hypothetical, but desirable naming scheme for telephony. In our scheme, each resource (human, telephone or computer) has a unique name that is neither mutable, nor dependent on any hierarchy of domains or geographical boundaries. We then provide an engineering solution for resolving the location of a resource given its name. This solution has to be efficient scalable and fault-tolerant. The solution uses several disjoint techniques such as caching, physically hierarchical servers and hashing. We show how the scheme meets our goals and argue its feasibility. >
Effects of stabilizers on the destabilization of proteins upon adsorption to aluminum salt adjuvants

Excipients for protein-based vaccines are currently identified by evaluating the stability of the protein in solution. In most cases, however, the protein is adsorbed to the surface of an aluminum salt adjuvant in the final vaccine formulation. Previous studies showed that model protein antigens may be structurally altered and less thermally stable upon adsorption to aluminum salt adjuvants [Jones LS, Peek LJ, Power J, Markham A, Yazzie B, Middaugh CR, 2005, J Biol Chem 280:13406-13414]. The work presented herein provides evidence that compounds that stabilize the protein in solution also stabilize the adsorbed protein; however, the stability of the adsorbed protein in the presence of the stabilizer remains lower than that of the protein in solution. Potential implications of the reduced stability on the approach used to select excipients during formulation development are discussed.
Crystal Structure of Murine Tcl1 Oncoprotein and Conserved Surface Features of the Molecules of the Tcl1 Family.

INTRODUCTION. The structures of members of the Tcl1 oncoprotein family are being studied in order to understand their roles in lymphocyte biology and their development of lymphocytic diseases[1-3]. These ~15 kD proteins share 25–80% sequence identity between the members of the family. No sequence similarity was found with other human genes suggesting a unique cellular role(s). Family members share an uncommon tertiary structure of an eight-stranded beta barrel. Recently, the crystal structure of murine Tcl1 was determined[3]. The three structures were analyzed to reveal conserved features indicative of a potential binding site for an interacting protein.
The management of pancreatic injuries in children: operate or observe

Abstract Purpose The critical management decision in pediatric pancreatic injuries involves whether or not to operate on patients with grade II or III injuries. Because of the rarity of these injuries, no one hospital cares for enough patients to determine the outcome of this decision. Given this, the American Pediatric Surgical Association accrued a series of patients with pancreatic injuries from the members of its Trauma Committee. Methods A retrospective review of concurrent pancreatic injuries from 9 level 1 pediatric trauma centers was performed. Results Data on 131 children were submitted. Forty-three patients suffered grade II or grade III injuries. Twenty patients underwent an operation, and 23 were observed. Patients who underwent an operation had an average length of stay of 16.1 days compared with 14.2 days. Two in the operative group received total parenteral nutrition compared with 12 in the nonoperative group. Eight in the nonoperative group developed a pseudocyst compared with 3 in the operative group. Conclusions Children with grade II or grade III pancreatic injuries managed nonoperatively had a higher rate of pseudocyst, lower rate of reoperation, and a comparable length of stay compared with those who underwent surgery. These data will be used to help design a prospective study of pancreatic injury management.
Tibetan Land Use and Change Near Khawa Karpo, Eastern Himalayas

Collaborating Authors: Bee Gunn, Wayne Law, George Yatskievych, Wu Sugong, Fang Zhendong, Ma Jian, Wang Yuhua, Andrew Willson, Peng Shengjing, Zhang Chuanling, Sun Hongyan, Meng Zhengui, Liu Lin, Senam Dorji, Ana, Liqing Wangcuo, Sila Cili, Adu, Naji, Amu, Sila Cimu, Sila Lamu, Lurong Pingding, Zhima Yongzong, Loangbao, Bianma Cimu, Gerong Cili, Wang Kai, Sila Pingchu, Axima, and Benjamin Staver.TIBETAN LAND USE AND CHANGE NEAR KHAWA KARPO, EASTERN HIMALAYAS. Economic Botany 59(4):312-325, 2005. Tibetan land use near Khawa Karpo, Northwest Yunnan, China, incorporates indigenous forest management, gathering, pastoralism, and agriculture. With field-based GIS, repeat photography, and Participatory Rural Appraisal we quantitatively compare land use between higher and lower villages, and between villages with and without roads. Households in higher elevation (> 3,000 meters) villages cultivate more farmland (z = -5.387, P ≤ 0.001), a greater diversity of major crops (z = -5.760, P < 0.001), a higher percentage of traditional crops, and fewer cash crops (z = -2.430, P = 0.015) than those in lower elevation villages (< 2,500 meters). Villages with roads grow significantly more cash crops (z = -6.794, P ≤ 0.001). Both lower villages and villages with roads travel farther to access common property resources. Historical analyses indicate agricultural intensification in valleys, an increase in houses, new crop introduction, hillside aforestation, cessation of hunting, glacial retreat, and timberline advance within the past century. We suggest that Tibetan land use reveals trade-offs between high, remote villages and lower villages near roads. Higher villages offer abundant land and access to natural resources but short growing seasons and little market access; in contrast, lower villages have road and market access, an extended growing season, and modern technology, but limited access to land and many other natural resources.
USA--Lake Erie: South Shore

Lake Erie, the southernmost of the Great Lakes, is about 400 km long by 80 km wide, and has a mean depth of about 20 m. Winds are the principal source of energy on the lake as astronomic tides are small (no more than several cm), but wind tides can be appreciable with lake surface elevation differences between Toledo at the west end of the lake and Buffalo at the east end as much as 5 m. Superimposed on these mass transport wind tides are breaking waves with heights of at least 2 m. The storm surges caused by the wind tides cause flooding, which is most severe along the low relief western end of the lake, and the surface waves generated by the winds cause erosion, which is most severe along the sand and glacial drift of the western 2/3 of the lake. And even though the lake has nearly reached an equilibrium level after retreat of the last Wisconsin glacier from the Erie basin about 12,500 years ago, there can be pronounced changes in lake level over a period of a few 10S of years that are caused by short-term “climatic” changes, largely due to precipitation and evaporation rates. For example, in 1934 the mean annual lake level was about 173.1 m whereas in 1973 the mean annual lake level was about 174.5 m. Naturally, relatively short term changes of this magnitude can have marked effects upon coastal processes/products.
Metateatro e ibridismo sociale e culturale in Amor nello specchio di Giovan Battista Andreini

Nella commedia Amor nello specchio (1622), lo scrittore e attore professionista Giovan Battista Andreini riflette sulle problematiche relazionate al teatro considerato, da una parte nella sua formulazione generica (teatro come genere letterario), dall’altra nelle sue implicazioni sociali (teatro come spazio sociale). In particolare, Amor nello specchio rientra nel contesto di difesa della categoria sociale e professionale dell’autore-attore professionista alludendo al conflitto tra i professionisti del teatro e i dilettanti. Andreini si appropria, modificandole, di alcune convenzioni teatrali (in particolare, il travestitismo, la relazione tra sessi e la figura del mago) e propone una commedia nuova, un ibrido fra tradizione e innovazione. L’autore crea una serie di aspettative convenzionali per il suo pubblico che non saranno compiute. Attraverso una serie di trasgressioni, Andreini conferma la sua posizione liminale nell’ambito sociale e culturale del diciassettesimo secolo, affermandosi come ibrido tra...
A Mathematical Model for the Performance of a Horizontal Convective Solar Still

A mathematical model is developed to predict the rate of distilled water production for a solar still with convective, double-deck configuration. The model is based on the one-dimensionally distributed formulation in the flow direction and two media treatment in the vertical direction. Different operating conditions are investigated to include different airflow rates, variable rates of solar radiation and ambient temperature. The effects of materials used in the still canopy and physical phenomena such as solar radiation absorption of liquid film on the performance are also investigated. The comparisons between the model results and fully two-dimensional CFD model results are presented.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A pseudo two-dimensional photoelastic method of testing axisymmetric geometries

Problems involving three-dimensional bodies which possess axial symmetry reduce to two-dimensional analytical problems. If a wedge-shaped portion of an axisymmetric body is tested subjected to the proper boundary condition, then a pseudo two-dimensional photoelastic method of testing may be used. This results in tremendous simplification in testing procedures, particularly when slight changes in model geometry are to be made during the course of testing. This method has been applied to axisymmetric solidpropellant rocket grains to conduct a parametric study of various conicyl geometries. Both pressure and thermal loads were considered for a case-bonded grain. Six parameters were required to define the geometry. The effects of these parameters and of the material properties of the grain were investigated, and parametric curves showing the variation of the maximum stress with those parameters are presented. The experimental results are compared with results obtained from a finite-element computer solution. Good agreement is obtained.
COMPARISON OF SAPIEN 3 AND SAPIEN XT TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE STENT-FRAME EXPANSION: EVALUATION USING MULTI-SLICE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

The morphology of stent-frame of a newer generation transcatheter heart valve (THV) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unknown. We sought to evaluate the morphology of a newer generation balloon-expandable THV, SAPIEN 3 (S3), using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) compared
144 HYPERMETHYLATION SILENCES WNT INHIBITORY FACTOR 1 IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial tumor that is endemic to southern China. Although much is known about its pathology and its association with Epstein-Barr virus infection, the molecular events that lead to the formation of the tumor are not clearly understood. Recently, it was discovered that the up-regulation of the wingless-type (Wnt) signaling pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of NPC. Wnt inhibitory factor-1 (WIF-1) is an antagonist of Wnt; studies have shown that WIF-1 down-regulation and the subsequent up-regulation of Wnt signaling are found in several human cancers. In order to determine if the down-regulation of WIF-1 plays a role in NPC, the expression of human WIF-1 in NPC cells was first assessed using reverse transcription-PCR. The NPC cell lines used were CNE, HNE-1, and HONE-1. The methylation status of WIF-1 was then determined by sequencing and by using methylation-specific PCR on bisulfite-treated NPC DNA. We find that WIF-1 is not expressed in NPC cells and that CpG island hypermethylation is seen in the promoter region of WIF-1, suggesting that hypermethylation silences WIF-1 expression. These results indicate that the up-regulation of the Wnt pathway due to the methylation silencing of WIF-1 is part of the mechanism that leads to tumor formation in NPC. Discovering ways to either inhibit the Wnt pathway or remove the hypermethylation of WIF-1 can thus be potentially used to therapeutically treat NPC in patients.
Identification of rat liver phosphatidylinositol synthase as a 21 kDa protein

Substantial purification of rat liver phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) synthase has been achieved by a combination of Hecameg extraction, heat treatment, affinity chromatography and chromatography on PBE-94. The activity chromatographs as a single peak which has an apparent molecular mass between 150 and 200 kDa on Sepharose 4B. When analysed by SDS/PAGE, two major bands are seen. The enzyme activity is correlated with a protein band of 21 kDa. A second band, at 51 kDa, is eluted from a PBE-94 column slightly ahead of the activity. Manganese is an absolute requirement for stabilization of activity in the presence of detergent. The effect of manganese is optimal at 0.5 mM; magnesium at a concentration of 10 mM is only minimally effective. Substrate Kms are 1.3 mM and 9.5 microM for inositol and CDP-diacylglycerol respectively. The activity eluting from the PBE-94 column is purified 5000-fold over the post-mitochondrial supernatant.
Generation of a tetracycline regulated mouse model of MYC-induced T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The tetracycline regulatory system provides a tractable strategy to interrogate the role of oncogenes in the initiation, maintenance, and regression of tumors through both spatial and temporal control of expression. This approach has several potential advantages over conventional methods to generate genetically engineered mouse models. First, continuous constitutive overexpression of an oncogene can be lethal to the host impeding further study. Second, constitutive overexpression fails to model adult onset of disease. Third, constitutive deletion does not permit, whereas conditional overexpression of an oncogene enables the study of the consequences of restoring expression of an oncogene back to endogenous levels. Fourth, the conditional activation of oncogenes enables examination of specific and/or developmental state-specific consequences.Hence, by allowing precise control of when and where a gene is expressed, the tetracycline regulatory system provides an ideal approach for the study of putative oncogenes in the initiation as well as the maintenance of tumorigenesis and the examination of the mechanisms of oncogene addiction. In this protocol, we describe the methods involved in the development of a conditional mouse model of MYC-induced T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Listening through a Vibration Motor

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of using the vibration motor in mobile devices as a sound sensor, almost like a microphone. We show that the vibrating mass inside the motor -- designed to oscillate to changing magnetic fields -- also responds to air vibrations from nearby sounds. With appropriate processing, the responses become intelligible, to the extent that humans can understand the vibra-motor recorded words with greater than 80% average accuracy. Even off-the-shelf speech recognition softwares are able to decode at 60% accuracy, without any training or machine learning. We present our overall techniques and results through a system called VibraPhone, and discuss implications to both sensing and security.
The biogenic amine transporter activity of vinylogous amphetamine analogs

A series of vinylogous amphetamine analogs was synthesized and examined for their activity at biogenic amine transporters and serotonin-2 receptor (5-HT2) subtypes. (1S,3E)-1-Methyl-4-phenyl-but-3-enylamine (S-6) is a potent dual dopamine/serotonin (DA/5-HT) releaser with no activity at 5-HT2 receptors. This unique profile of actions suggests that analog S-6 is a viable lead compound for identifying new structural classes of DA/5-HT releasers with therapeutic benefit and reduced abuse liability.
Sentiment Analysis of Twitter Users Over Time: The Case of the Boston Bombing Tragedy

Social Network Services (SNS), for example Twitter, play a significant role in the way people share their emotions about specific events. Emotions can spread via SNS and can spur people’s future actions. Therefore, during extreme events, disaster response agencies need to manage emotions appropriately via SNS. In this research, we investigate the Twitter verse associated with an event - the Boston Bombing context. We focus on tweets in the context of hazard-describing keywords (Explosion, Bomb), important event timelines, and the related changes in emotions over time. We compare the results with a corpus of tweets collected at the same time that are not associated with the above hazard- describing keywords. A sentiment analysis shows anger was the most strongly expressed emotion in both groups. However, there were statistical differences in Anxiety and Sadness among the two groups over time.
Verifying cyber-physical systems by combining software model checking with hybrid systems reachability

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) span the communication, computation and control domains. Creating a single, complete, and detailed model of a CPS is not only difficult, but, in terms of verification, probably not useful; current verification algorithms are likely intractable for such all-encompassing models. However, specific CPS domains have specialized formal reasoning methods that can successfully analyze certain aspects of the integrated system. To prove overall system correctness, however, care must be taken to ensure the interfaces of the proofs are consistent and leave no gaps, which can be difficult since they may use different model types and describe different aspects of the CPS. This work proposes a bridge between two important verification methods, software model checking and hybrid systems reachability. A contract automaton (CA) expresses both (1) the restrictions on the interactions between the application and the controller, and (2) the desired system invariants. A sound assume-guarantee style compositional proof rule decomposes the verification into two parts - one verifies the application against the CA using software model checking, and another verifies the controller against the CA using hybrid systems reachability analysis. In this way, the proposed method avoids state-space explosion due to the composition of discrete (application) and continuous (controller) behavior, and can leverage verification tools specialized for each domain. The power of the approach is demonstrated by verifying collision avoidance using models of a distributed group of communicating quadcopters, where the provided models are software code and continuous 2-d quadcopter dynamics.
Microbiology of beef packaged in various gas atmospheres.

Boneless pork roasts were vacuum-packaged; one group remained in vacuum-packages (controls), other vacuum-packages were injected with one of six gas mixtures: (a) 100% O2, (b) 20% CO2 + 80% N2, (c) 50% CO2 + 50% O2. (d) 20% CO2 + 80% O2, (e) 25% CO2 + 25% O2 + 50% N2, or (f) 51% CO2 + 30% O2 + 18% N2 + 1% CO. Roasts were stored from 0-35 days at 1-3 C and chops from each treatment were observed under retail conditions for 5 days. Differences, both in psychrotrophic and lactobacillus counts, between roasts stored in modified gas atmospheres and those stored in vacuum-packages were rarely statistically significant. Psychrotrophic counts of pork chops from roasts stored for 21-35 days in modified gas atmospheres were somewhat higher than those prepared from comparable vacuum-packaged roasts. However, few of these differences were statistically significant. The initial microbial flora of the roasts consisted of Pseudomonas and Lactobacillus spp. Pseudomonas spp. remained a significant part of the microflora of roasts stored in 100% O2, whereas lactic acid bacteria ( Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc spp.) predominated on roasts after 1 week in all other atmospheres.
The impact of low-surface-energy functional groups on oil fouling resistance in membrane distillation

Abstract Recent progress in developing anti-fouling membranes suggests that integrating low-surface-energy functional groups into a hydrophilic matrix can generate a robust fouling resistant surface that not only mitigates the attachment, but also facilitates the detachment, of hydrophobic foulants. Excellent anti-fouling performance with such surfaces with heterogeneous surface energy has been reported in pressurized membrane processes. However, the impact of low-surface-energy functional groups on the membrane fouling resistance in membrane distillation (MD) has not been investigated and is the goal of the current study. In this study, we compared the fouling behaviors between a reference hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane and three composite membranes with chitosan based hydrogel surface but different amount of perfluoroalkyl functional groups. We first fabricated and characterized the three composite membranes, then challenged them in MD experiments with a crude-oil-emulsion as the feed solutions, and finally conducted force spectroscopy to probe the interaction between an oil droplet and the three composite membranes as well as the reference PVDF membrane. The results from MD fouling tests and force spectroscopy suggest that incorporating perfluoroalkyl functional groups into the hydrogel matrix did significantly improve the anti-fouling performance and reduce oil adhesion onto the membrane surface as long as they were not excessive on the surface.
Incorporation of CT-based measurements of trunk anatomy into subject-specific musculoskeletal models of the spine influences vertebral loading predictions

We created subject-specific musculoskeletal models of the thoracolumbar spine by incorporating spine curvature and muscle morphology measurements from computed tomography (CT) scans to determine the degree to which vertebral compressive and shear loading estimates are sensitive to variations in trunk anatomy. We measured spine curvature and trunk muscle morphology using spine CT scans of 125 men, and then created four different thoracolumbar spine models for each person: (i) height and weight adjusted (Ht/Wt models); (ii) height, weight, and spine curvature adjusted (+C models); (iii) height, weight, and muscle morphology adjusted (+M models); and (iv) height, weight, spine curvature, and muscle morphology adjusted (+CM models). We determined vertebral compressive and shear loading at three regions of the spine (T8, T12, and L3) for four different activities. Vertebral compressive loads predicted by the subject-specific CT-based musculoskeletal models were between 54% lower to 45% higher from those estimated using musculoskeletal models adjusted only for subject height and weight. The impact of subject-specific information on vertebral loading estimates varied with the activity and spinal region. Vertebral loading estimates were more sensitive to incorporation of subject-specific spinal curvature than subject-specific muscle morphology. Our results indicate that individual variations in spine curvature and trunk muscle morphology can have a major impact on estimated vertebral compressive and shear loads, and thus should be accounted for when estimating subject-specific vertebral loading. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2164-2173, 2017.
Endothelial Interactions and Coagulation

Circulating blood is the lifeline of our existence, transporting oxygen, glucose and other substrates for energy production. The circulatory system supplies complements, platelets, and white blood cells to combat infections and repair tissues, as well as platelets and soluble coagulation and anti-coagulation proteins and proteases, to prevent uncontrolled bleeding and clotting. The coordination of these vital functions is orchestrated by a thin layer of cells named the endothelium. Endothelial cells direct blood flow by differentially expressing vasoconstrictors (e.g. endothelin, 20-HETE) and vasodilators (e.g. nitric oxide, prostacyclin). These cells direct white blood cell trafficking by differentially expressing the adhesion molecules endothelium selectin (E-selectin), inter-cellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM). Finally, the endothelium directs clotting by differentially releasing ultra-large von Willebrand factor multimers (initiating platelet aggregation), decreasing thrombomodulin (preventing anticoagulation) and increasing plasminogen-activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) expression preventing fibrinolysis. This chapter focuses on the physiology and pathophysiology of the endothelium and the cellular and soluble coagulation system. The objective of this chapter is to prepare the pediatric intensivist to choose specific and non-specific therapies for critically ill children with thrombotic and/or bleeding disorders.
Comparison of nasopharyngeal and guttural pouch specimens to determine the optimal sampling site to detect Streptococcus equi subsp equi carriers by DNA amplification.

Streptococcus equi subsp equi (S. equi) is the cause of “equine strangles” which is a highly infectious upper respiratory disease. Detection of S. equi is influenced by site of specimen collection, method of sampling, and type of diagnostic test that is performed. We hypothesized i) that a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay that targets the S. equi-specific eqbE gene would be more sensitive than a realtime PCR assay that targets the S. equi-specific seeI gene and ii) that LAMP of specimens obtained by guttural pouch lavage (GPL) would be more sensitive than LAMP of nasopharyngeal specimens to identify S. equi carriers. A nasopharyngeal flocked swab, nasopharyngeal wash, and GPL specimen was collected from 44 convalescent horses and the eqbE LAMP assay was performed. The seeI realtime PCR assay and aerobic culture were also performed on the GPL specimen. Logistic regression was performed to compare sampling sites and test methods (P-values ≤0.05 were considered significant). One of 41 nasopharyngeal flocked swabs, 6/38 nasopharyngeal wash and 24/44 GPL specimens were positive by eqbE LAMP. 18/44 GPL specimens were positive by seeI PCR and S. equi was isolated from 4/44 of these specimens. Detection of S. equi DNA was 51 times more likely from the GPL samples than nasopharyngeal samples (OR 51.0, P < 0.0001). When eqbE LAMP GPL samples were positive, it was eight times more likely that the guttural pouch had any abnormality on endoscopy (OR 8.2, P ≤ 0.005), almost 20 times more likely that mild empyema was found (OR 19.7, P ≤ 0.002), and eight times more likely that the SeeI PCR was positive for S. equi DNA (OR 8.1, P ≤ 0.006). This study demonstrates that guttural pouch lavage specimens should be used to detect S. equi and that the eqbE LAMP assay was comparable to the seeI PCR.
Lower Bounds on DOP

Code phase Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning performance is often described by the Geometric or Position Dilution of Precision (GDOP or PDOP), functions of the number of satellites employed in the solution and their geometry. This paper develops lower bounds to both metrics solely as functions of the number of satellites, effectively removing the added complexity caused by their locations in the sky, to allow users to assess how well their receivers are performing with respect to the best possible performance. Such bounds will be useful as receivers sub-select from the plethora of satellites available with multiple GNSS constellations. The bounds are initially developed for one constellation assuming that the satellites are at or above the horizon. Satellite constellations that essentially achieve the bounds are discussed, again with value toward the problem of satellite selection. The bounds are then extended to a non-zero mask angle and to multiple constellations.
Elucidating the Targets of Antileukemic Agents: Molecular Mechanisms of Mercaptopurine Action

Mercaptopurine and thioguanine are anticancer and immunosuppresive agents that exert their primary cytotoxic effects via incorporation of deoxythioguanosine into DNA. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying the sensitivity/resistance to thiopurine drugs is essential to further improving the therapy for leukemia. Inherited deficiency in thiopurine S-methyltransferase activity determines idiosyncratic reactions to thiopurines. Isolation and cloning of mutant alleles from humans with thiopurine S-methyltransferase deficiency has helped to develop PCR-based genotyping assays for this disorder. Incorporation of deoxythioguanosine into DNA substantially alters DNA–protein interactions at several steps of DNA replication. Importantly, it prevents RNA hydrolysis by RNase H in the DNA–RNA heteroduplex, and decreases the thermal stability of the DNA duplexes.
Effects of the Addition of Electrolyzed Water to a Footbath Solution on Digital Dermatitis Incidence

Digital dermatitis DD can cause lameness and pain in dairy cows The objective of this week study conducted at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Dairy Research Farm was to test the effects of electrolyzed water in a copper sulfate solution on DD A split plastic footbath was used to deliver two footbath solutions The control solution assigned to the left hooves of the cow contained L of water with kg of copper sulfate and mL of acidifier The treatment solution assigned to the right hooves of the cows contained the same solution as the control side with the addition of L of electrolyzed water The footbath solutions were made Monday thru Friday before morning milkings Cows walked through the footbath while exiting the milking parlor once a day The solutions were dumped after the completion of morning milkings Holstein cows n DD were scored biweekly in the milking parlor to determine active or inactive DD Rear hooves were hosed off to remove debris before being evaluated A headlamp was worn to provide clarity of hooves while scoring The FREQ Procedure of SAS SAS Institute Inc Cary NC was used for a chi square analysis and a McNemar s test was used to compare the number of hooves with active DD to the number of hooves with non active DD No significant differences in DD between the control and treatment groups existed P however over the course of the study both footbath solutions improved DD overall P These results suggest that the addition of electrolyzed water in a footbath solution had no negative effect on DD
The Subtlety of Age, Gender, and Race Barriers: A Case Study of Early Career African American Female Principals.

While all educational leaders face challenges in achieving success, African American female principals often face a unique set of challenges associated with the complexity of their gender, race, an...
Lessons Learned from Transboundary Management Efforts in the Apalachicola—Chattahoochee—Flint Basin, USA

This paper serves as an example of transboundary water negotiations – what worked and what failed – in the three state conflict in the southeastern United States. The states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia have been involved in water negotiations since about the early 1970s leading to some successes and some failures. This paper summarizes these experiences with the intention of providing generic “lessons learned” on multi-jurisdictional negotiation.
The complex quadratic map and its ℳ-set

For each complex μ, denote by F(μ) the largest bounded set in the complex plane that is invariant under the action of the map z → f(z) = z2-μ. M 1980n{C3} and M 1982F{FGN}, Chapter 19 {C4} reported various remarkable properties of the M0 set (the set of those values of the complex μ for which F(μ) contains domains) and of the closure ℳ of ℳ0. {P.S. 2003: see Chapter foreword.} The goals of this work are as follows.
Genetic analysis of edamame seed composition and trait relationships in soybean lines

Edamame, a vegetable or specialty soybean (Glycine max) with high nutritional and market value, is relatively new to North America. Because of its health and nutritional benefits and globalized trade, the edamame market and acreage in the United States are steadily increasing. To facilitate edamame breeding and commercial production, we genetically analyzed edamame seed composition using 86 breeding lines and cultivars developed in the U.S. Significant genotypic differences based on a single year or 2-year joint analysis were observed for most traits investigated, including protein, oil, dietary fiber, starch, sucrose, stachyose and total sugar content. No significant genotypic difference was observed for ash content in both years and for raffinose content in year 2016. Yearly differences were also significant except for sucrose, stachyose and total sugar. Genotype-by-year interaction was significant for protein, sucrose, raffinose and total sugar, but insignificant for other traits. The heritability was high and relatively stable for protein and oil content, followed by stachyose content, but was low for ash and starch content. The heritability for sucrose, total sugar and dietary fiber content varied from 38 to 75%. Genotypic correlations were insignificant among most traits. However, protein content was negatively correlated with oil content and dietary fiber, but positively associated with stachyose. Oil content was negatively correlated with starch and individual sugars. Although positive phenotypic or Pearson’s correlation existed between total sugar content and individual sugars, and between sucrose and starch content, their genotypic correlations were insignificant.
Characterizing heterogeneity in the progression of Alzheimer's disease using longitudinal clinical and neuroimaging biomarkers

Abstract Introduction Models characterizing intermediate disease stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are needed to inform clinical care and prognosis. Current models, however, use only a small subset of available biomarkers, capturing only coarse changes along the complete spectrum of disease progression. We propose the use of machine learning techniques and clinical, biochemical, and neuroimaging biomarkers to characterize progression to AD. Methods We used a large multimodal longitudinal data set of biomarkers and demographic and genotype information from 1624 participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Using hidden Markov models, we characterized intermediate disease stages. We validated inferred disease trajectories by comparing time to first clinical AD diagnosis. We trained an L2-regularized logistic regression model to predict disease trajectory and evaluated its discriminative performance on a test set. Results We identified 12 distinct disease states. Progression to AD occurred most often through one of two possible paths through these states. Paths differed in terms of rate of disease progression (by 5.44 years on average), amyloid and total-tau (t-tau) burden (by 10% and 69%, respectively), and hippocampal neurodegeneration (P Discussion Progression to AD, in terms of biomarker trajectories, can be predicted based on participant-specific factors. Such disease staging tools could help in targeting high-risk patients for therapeutic intervention trials. As longitudinal data with richer features are collected, such models will help increase our understanding of the factors that drive the different trajectories of AD.
Time of day, but not sleep restriction, affects markers of hemostasis following heavy exercise.

We sought to determine the effects of sleep restriction on markers of hemostasis the morning after an exercise session. Seven subjects performed evening exercise followed by an exercise session the...
An overview of interface-dominated deformation mechanisms in metallic nanocomposites elucidated using in situ straining in a TEM

Nanostructured multiphase metallic materials present extraordinary properties, such as high strength, enhanced fatigue and radiation resistance, and thermal stability, compared to conventional bulk metallic materials. Previous research studies have shown that their deformation and fracture behavior are dominated by defect interactions at internal interfaces. In situ straining, including nanoindentation, compression, and tension, in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) has emerged as a powerful tool to investigate the physics of defect–interface interactions at the nano-scale and even atomic scale. The mechanistic insights gained from these experiments coupled with dislocation theory and atomistic modeling has helped develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanical properties. In this article, through some recent investigations on observing dislocation and interface activities, crack propagation, and nanopillar compression, we present current progress in utilizing in situ TEM straining to examine interface-dominated deformation mechanisms.