cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atomistic simulations of electric field effects on the Youngʼs modulus of metal nanowires

We present a computational, atomistic study of electric field effects on the Young's modulus of metal nanowires. The simulations are electromechanically coupled, where the mechanical forces on the atoms are obtained from realistic embedded atom method potentials, and where the electrostatic forces on the atoms are obtained using a point dipole electrostatic model that is modified to account for the different polarizability and bonding environment of surface atoms. By considering three different nanowire axial orientations (left angle bracket 100 right angle bracket, left angle bracket 110 right angle bracket and right angle bracket 111 right angle bracket) of varying cross sectional sizes and aspect ratios, we find that the Young's modulus of the nanowires differs from that predicted for the purely mechanical case due to the elimination of nonlinear elastic stiffening or softening effects due to the electric field-induced positive relaxation strain relative to the relaxed mechanical configuration. We further find that left angle bracket 100 right angle bracket nanowires are most sensitive to the applied electric field, with Young's moduli that can be increased more than 20% with increasing aspect ratio. Finally, while the orientation of the transverse surfaces does impact the Young's modulus of the nanowires under applied electric field, the key factor controlling the magnitude of the stiffness change of the nanowires is the distance between atomic planes along the axial direction of the nanowire bulk.
Sensitivity of Siberian larch forests to climate change

The Northern Hemisphere's boreal forests, particularly the Siberian boreal forest, may have a strong effect on Earth's climate through changes in dominant vegetation and associated regional surface albedo. We show that warmer climate will likely convert Siberia's deciduous larch (Larix spp.) to evergreen conifer forests, and thus decrease regional surface albedo. The dynamic vegetation model, FAREAST, simulates Russian boreal forest composition and was used to explore the feedback between climate change and forest composition at continental, regional, and local scales. FAREAST was used to simulate the impact of changes in temperature and precipitation on total and genus-level biomass at sites across Siberia and the Russian Far East (RFE), and for six high- and low-diversity regions. Model runs with and without European Larch (Larix decidua) included in the available species pool were compared to assess the potential for this species, which is adapted to warmer climate conditions, to mitigate the effects of climate change, especially the shift to evergreen dominance. At the continental scale, when temperature is increased, larch-dominated sites become vulnerable to early replacement by evergreen conifers. At the regional and local scales, the diverse Amur region of the RFE does not show a strong response to climate change, but the low-diversity regions in central and southern Siberia have an abrupt vegetation shift from larch-dominated forest to evergreen-conifer forest in response to increased temperatures. The introduction of L. decidua prevents the collapse of larch in these low-diversity areas and thus mitigates the response to warming. Using contemporary MODIS albedo measurements, we determined that a conversion from larch to evergreen stands in low-diversity regions of southern Siberia would generate a local positive radiative forcing of 5.1 ± 2.6 W m ―2 . This radiative heating would reinforce the warming projected to occur in the area under climate change.
INFLUENCE OF THE ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUG PATHILON ON THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE FEMALE RAT1

A new anticholinergic drug, 3-diethylamino-l-cyclohexyl-l-phenyl-l-ethi-odide (Pathilon, Lederle), was tested for its capacity to block ovulation in rats. Thirty adult females were injected with the drug (25, 50 or 75 mg.⁄kg. body wt., s.c.) before the “critical period” on the day of proestrus. The higher doses blocked ovulation in 70% and 95% of the cases, repsectively. Five of 6 animals injected after the critical period with 75 mg.⁄kg. ovulated normally. In 16 rats kept for later observation there was prolongation of diestrus (12-16 days) after postponed or normal ovulation; 11 were pseudopregnant, as proven by decid-uoma formation. Effects of administration during diestrus were examined in 40 rats by injecting a single dose (50 mg.⁄kg.) on diestrus days 1, 2 or 3. There was often an effect on the immediate cycle, either prolongation of the current diestrus (21 rats, 10 pseudopregnant)or prolonged estrus with delayed ovulation (6 rats). In 10 rats prolongation of diestrus followed normal or delayed ovu...
Straits, Passages and Chokepoints : A Maritime Geostrategy of Petroleum Distribution

The transportation of petroleum represents one of the most strategically important circulations of resources in the global economy. Its role cannot be overstated. Yet, petroleum has become a “strategically invisible” commodity as its flow has been continuous with limited, but eye-opening, disruptions such as the First Energy Crisis is 1973. Petroleum supplies are virtually taken for granted. Since approximately two-thirds of the world’s petroleum production is shipped by sea, there are inherent distribution constraints, which require navigating through straits and passages; chokepoints of maritime circulation. This paper presents an overview of the geography of oil supply and demand, and the strategic issues that are linked to its maritime circulation. Chokepoints are perceived as resources, the value of which varies according to degree of use. As the era of petroleum domination draws to a close, the importance and vulnerability of strategic passages will increase. Their ability to handle additional traffic appears to be limited, implying that future energy crises or oil shortages are more likely to be attributable to the challenges of distribution.
A New Look at Immune Privilege of the Eye: Dual Role for the Vision-Related Molecule Retinoic Acid

The eye is an immunologically privileged and profoundly immunosuppressive environment. Early studies reported inhibition of T cell proliferation, IFN-γ production, and generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) by aqueous humor (AH) and identified TGF-β as a critical factor. However, T cell subsets including Foxp3(+) Treg and Th17 were unknown at that time, as was the role of retinoic acid (RA) in Treg induction. Consequently, the effect of the ocular microenvironment on T cell lineage commitment and function, and the role of RA in this process, had not been explored. We now use gene-manipulated mice and highly purified T cell populations to demonstrate that AH suppresses lineage commitment and acquisition of Th1 and Th17 effector function of naive T cells, manifested as reduction of lineage-specific transcription factors and cytokines. Instead, AH promoted its massive conversion to Foxp3(+) Tregs that expressed CD25, GITR, CTLA-4, and CD103 and were functionally suppressive. TGF-β and RA were both needed and synergized for Treg conversion by AH, with TGF-β-enhancing T cell expression of RA receptor α. Newly converted Foxp3(+) Tregs were unstable, but were stabilized upon continued exposure to AH or by the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. In contrast, T cells already committed to effector function were resistant to the suppressive and Treg-inducing effects of AH. We conclude that RA in the eye plays a dual role: in vision and in immune privilege. Nevertheless, primed effector T cells are relatively insensitive to AH, helping to explain their ability to induce uveitis despite an inhibitory ocular microenvironment.
Aqueous complexation of citrate with neodymium(III) and americium(III): a study by potentiometry, absorption spectrophotometry, microcalorimetry, and XAFS.

The aqueous complexation of Nd(III) and Am(III) with anions of citrate was studied by potentiometry, absorption spectrophotometry, microcalorimetry, and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). Using potentiometric titration data fitting the metal–ligand (L) complexes that were identified for Nd(III) were NdHL, NdL, NdHL2, and NdL2; a review of trivalent metal-citrate complexes is also included. Stability constants for these complexes were calculated from potentiometric and spectrophotometric titrations. Microcalorimetric results concluded that the entropy term of complex formation is much more dominant than the enthalpy. XAFS results showed a dependence in the Debye–Waller factor that indicated Nd(III)-citrate complexation over the pH range of 1.56–6.12.
Is warmer better? Decreased oxidative damage in notothenioid fish after long-term acclimation to multiple stressors

Antarctic fish of the suborder Notothenioidei have evolved several unique adaptations to deal with subzero temperatures. However, these adaptations may come with physiological trade-offs, such as an increased susceptibility to oxidative damage. As such, the expected environmental perturbations brought on by global climate change have the potential to significantly increase the level of oxidative stress and cellular damage in these endemic fish. Previous single stressor studies of the notothenioids have shown they possess the capacity to acclimate to increased temperatures, but the cellular-level effects remain largely unknown. Additionally, there is little information on the ability of Antarctic fish to respond to ecologically relevant environmental changes where multiple variables change concomitantly. We have examined the potential synergistic effects that increased temperature and Ṗ CO 2 have on the level of protein damage in Trematomus bernacchii, Pagothenia borchgrevinki and Trematomus newnesi , and combined these measurements with changes in total enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in order to gauge tissue-specific changes in antioxidant capacity. Our findings indicate that total SOD and CAT activity levels displayed only small changes across treatments and tissues. Short-term acclimation to decreased seawater pH and increased temperature resulted in significant increases in oxidative damage. Surprisingly, despite no significant change in antioxidant capacity, cellular damage returned to near-basal levels, and significantly decreased in T. bernacchii , after long-term acclimation. Overall, these data suggest that notothenioid fish currently maintain the antioxidant capacity necessary to offset predicted future ocean conditions, but it remains unclear whether this capacity comes with physiological trade-offs.
Reconfigurable-order bandpass filter for frequency agile systems

This paper presents a tunable bandpass filter with a reconfigurable filter order. The proposed filter consists of an array of tunable resonators with variable inter-resonator coupling structures between adjacent cavities. This allows the frequency selectivity of the filter to be adjusted for the given spectral environment without any geometrical modifications to the filter structure. To demonstrate the concept a 2 − 2 resonator array is fabricated using substrate integrated evanescent-mode cavity resonators at 3.2 GHz. Each resonator has an adjustable frequency response and can be tuned from 2.77 to 3.55 GHz. The filter has two separate signal paths, either through two or four resonators. The reconfigurable inter-resonator coupling is implemented with floating vias inside a coupling iris. The vias are connected using variable capacitors and can be included or excluded from the iris by adjusting the capacitance. This structure shows the potential for the inclusion of reconfigurable-order filters in future agile radio systems.
In vivo trafficking and immunostimulatory potential of an intranasally-administered primary dendritic cell-based vaccine

Coccidioidomycosis or Valley fever is caused by a highly virulent fungal pathogen: Coccidioides posadasii or immitis. Vaccine development against Coccidioides is of contemporary interest because a large number of relapses and clinical failures are reported with antifungal agents. An efficient Th1 response engenders protection. Thus, we have focused on developing a dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine for coccidioidomycosis. In this study, we investigated the immunostimulatory characteristics of an intranasal primary DC-vaccine in BALB/c mouse strain that is most susceptible to coccidioidomycosis. The DCs were transfected nonvirally with Coccidioides- Ag2/PRA-cDNA. Expression of DC-markers, Ag2/PRA and cytokines were studied by flow cytometry, dot-immunoblotting and cytometric bead array methods, respectively. The T cell activation was studied by assessing the upregulation of activation markers in a DC-T cell co-culture assay. For trafficking, the DCs were co-transfected with a plasmid DNA encoding HSV1 thymidine kinase (TK) and administered intranasally into syngeneic mice. The trafficking and homing of TK-expressing DCs were monitored with positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-FIAU probe. Based on the PET-probe accumulation in vaccinated mice, selected tissues were studied for antigen-specific response and T cell phenotypes using ELISPOT and flow cytometry, respectively. We found that the primary DCs transfected with Coccidioides-Ag2/PRA-cDNA were of immature immunophenotype, expressed Ag2/PRA and activated naive T cells. In PET images and subsequent biodistribution, intranasally-administered DCs were found to migrate in blood, lung and thymus; lymphocytes showed generation of T effector memory cell population (TEM) and IFN-γ release. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the intranasally-administered primary DC vaccine is capable of inducing Ag2/PRA-specific T cell response. Unique approaches utilized in our study represent an attractive and novel means of producing and evaluating an autologous DC-based vaccine.
FLORIDA TOMATO MARKET ORDER RESTRICTIONS-AN ANALYSIS OF THEIR EFFECTS AND IMPLEMENTATION

was lifted for short periods after freezes in 1977 and Price discussed the effect on revenue of restricting 1980 destroyed part of the crop. Because our sample quantities of a product from the market. His results in- consisted of weekly data in the 1980 and 1981 seadicate that an optimum culling rate can be defined if sons, we considered only the four larger sizes shipped. the elasticity of demand and the quality price response The extra-small tomatoes were grouped with the small are known. Defining the optimum culling rate with the tomatoes during the short period they were shipped. Price procedure requires that the product be differen- Finally, there are two maturities, mature green and tiated on a continuum of quality measures. Florida to- vine-ripe, resulting in 32 quality types from the commatoes, like most agricultural products, are segregated bination of four grades, four sizes, and two maturities. for marketing purposes within defined size and/or grade At any particular point in time and space, market guidelines, giving a specified set of sizes and grades prices for different types of tomatoes generally differ. for the product. These grades and sizes are established Prices are ranked according to grade and size, with the prior to each season. Culling from this set of sizes and price of extra-large tomatoes greater than the price of grades requires a specific size and/or grade to be ex- large tomatoes. The price of U.S. number 1 tomatoes eluded from the market, therefore not allowing a con- is greater than the price of U.S. combination tomatoes. tinuum of choices within a season. The approach used The general pattern of price-ranked order is rarely vihere to investigate the effects of quality restrictions on olated. There is no established price pattern with reproducers includes (1) development of a theoretical spect to maturity. model for testing the effects of a restriction on specific sizes and/or grades; (2) estimation of a structural model Growers Model for Florida tomatoes encompassing the factors from the theoretical model, and (3) measurement of the impacts The grower's profit is the difference between gross of restrictions on producers via simulation procedures. revenues and total production costs. A marketing reThe empirical model developed and used here for sim- striction has no effect on production costs. A restriculation purposes is similar to one proposed but not es- tion merely prevents the grower from marketing a timated by Montes. A model for prices received by product already produced. growers for fresh tomatoes was formulated and esti- Before a restriction can be implemented, it must be mated in order to measure the impacts of restrictions concluded by the committee governing the Federal on growers. The impact of restrictions on shippers is Marketing Order (Florida Tomato Committee) that the then discussed and implications are drawn concerning restriction will benefit the industry. The committee is the implementation of such restrictions. nominated by the growers and appointed by the U.S.
New observations of volcanic features on Mars from the THEMIS instrument

[1] Images obtained by the THEMIS instrument on Mars Odyssey permit the identification of many new volcanic features on Mars. Several new types of vent systems, including fissure vents within the Tharsis region, flank vents on Olympus Mons and Ascraeus Mons, and lava shields on the floor of Arsia Mons have been found. The valley networks on Hecates Tholus are seen to be more complex than previously believed. Extending from the caldera rim to the base of Hecates Tholus volcano, individual valleys change width and depth in apparent response to local topography. Valley formation spanned the time period during which lava flows from Elysium Mons embayed the southern flank of Hecates Tholus, as demonstrated by the burial of some valleys by the lava flows and the formation of sediment fans on top of adjacent parts of the flows. THEMIS images now allow new constraints to be placed on the dynamics of lava flow emplacement, with the identification of flows with well-defined lava channels on the northern flank of Ascraeus Mons, as well as an enigmatic braided lava channel. Three previously unreported collapse events (3.7 to 4.3 km in diameter) are identified within the caldera of Ascraeus Mons. Details of the mode of formation of parts of the Olympus Mons aureole can also be identified, supporting the idea that the aureole had a landslide origin. THEMIS images show that parts of the aureole have been modified by water discharged to the east of Olympus Mons.
CIFTS: A Coordinated Infrastructure for Fault-Tolerant Systems

Considerable work has been done on providing fault tolerance capabilities for different software components on large-scale high-end computing systems. Thus far, however, these fault-tolerant components have worked insularly and independently and information about faults is rarely shared. Such lack of system-wide fault tolerance is emerging as one of the biggest problems on leadership-class systems. In this paper, we propose a coordinated infrastructure, named CIFTS, that enables system software components to share fault information with each other and adapt to faults in a holistic manner. Central to the CIFTS infrastructure is a Fault Tolerance Backplane (FTB) that enables fault notification and awareness throughout the software stack, including fault-aware libraries, middleware, and applications. We present details of the CIFTS infrastructure and the interface specification that has allowed various software programs, including MPICH2, MVAPICH, Open MPI, and PVFS, to plug into the CIFTS infrastructure. Further, through a detailed evaluation we demonstrate the nonintrusive low-overhead capability of CIFTS that lets applications run with minimal performance degradation.
Design of a neural stimulator system with closed-loop charge cancellation

The safety of electrode-tissue interface under electrical neural stimulation is a critical matter and thus precise control of the electrode voltage needs to be warranted. Analytical study on the electrode potential profile during electrical stimulation justifies the need of using a closed-loop system to regulate the electrode voltage. A neural stimulator with cancellation of excessive charge is proposed. The design procedure and methodology are presented to provide general guidelines for similar system designs. Simulation results demonstrate that neural stimulation safety can be achieved by the proposed design methodology.
Detection of communities and bridges in weighted networks

Traditional graph-based clustering methods group vertices into non-intersecting clusters under the assumption that each vertex can belong to only a single cluster. On the other hand, recent research on graph-based clustering methods, applied to real world networks (e.g., protein-protein interaction networks and social networks), shows overlapping patterns among the underlying clusters. For example, in social networks, an individual is expected to belong to multiple clusters (or communities), rather than strictly confining himself/herself to just one. As such, overlapping clusters enable better models of real-life phenomena. Soft clustering (e.g., fuzzy c-means) has been used with success for network data as well as non-graph data, when the objects are allowed to belong to multiple clusters with a certain degree of membership. In this paper, we propose a fuzzy clustering based approach for community detection in a weighted graphical representation of social and biological networks, for which the ground truth associated to the nodes is available. We compare our results with a baseline method for both multilabeled and single-labeled datasets.
Game On for Internet Gambling: With Federal Approval, States Line Up to Place Their Bets

Two days before Christmas 2011, President Obama gave an unexpected gift to states. In a thirteen-page memorandum, the Department of Justice reinterpreted the Wire Act, finding that the critical federal anti-gambling statute is limited to sports betting and races. Without this legacy Kennedy Administration statute, no federal obstacle remains to widespread state-sanctioned Internet gambling. Expect cash-strapped states to act quickly; legislators, governors, and regulators are already cashing in on the opportunity. Without Congressional action, tribes may be out of luck.
Fictitious hyperglycemia: point-of-care glucose measurement is inaccurate during high-dose vitamin C infusion for burn shock resuscitation

The use of high-dose vitamin C (hdVC, 66 mg/kg/hour × 18 hours) infusion is a useful adjunct to reducing fluid requirements during resuscitation of burn shock. Routine point-of-care glucose (POCG) analysis has been inaccurately high in observed patients undergoing hdVC. Inaccurate POCG could potentially lead to iatrogenic hypoglycemia if the fictitious hyperglycemia is treated with insulin. This study is a retrospective analysis of plasma glucose measurements from a central laboratory (LG) compared with POCG during and 24 hours after hdVC infusion. Records of adult patients receiving hdVC infusions during burn resuscitation over 1 year were reviewed. Charts selected for analysis included those with glucose measurements using POCG and LG that were taken simultaneously, during hdVC infusion, and 24 hours after completion. All specimens were drawn from arterial lines. POCG was measured with Accu-Chek Inform (Roche, Indianapolis, IN) and LG was measured by Siemens Dimension Vista 500 (Siemens, Deerfield, IL) using biochromic analysis. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's matched pairs test and Spearman correlation with significance at P < .05. Of 18 adult patients undergoing burn resuscitation with hdVC infusion, 5 were chosen for analysis (%TBSA 40 ± 15; age 51 ± 18). All data were pooled with 11 comparisons both during and after hdVC. The mean POCG (225 ± 71) was significantly higher than mean LG (138 ± 41) on hdVC (P = .002). There was no difference between POCG (138 ± 30) and LG (128 ± 23) after hdVC was finished (P = .09). There was a negative correlation between POCG and LG on hdVC (-0.64, P = .04) and a positive correlation off hdVC (0.89, P = .0005). POCG analysis during hdVC infusion is significantly higher than laboratory glucose measurements. Once the hdVC infusion is complete, POCG and laboratory glucose measurements are not statistically different. Treating erroneously high glucose based on POC testing is potentially dangerous and could lead to hypoglycemia and seizures.
Defect Physics and Chemistry in Layered Mixed Transition Metal Oxide Cathode Materials: (Ni,Co,Mn) vs (Ni,Co,Al)

Although layered lithium transition-metal oxides with different compositions of (Ni,Co,Mn) [NCM] or (Ni,Co,Al) [NCA] have been used in commercial lithium-ion battery cathodes, their defect physics and chemistry is still not well understood, despite having important ramifications for cycling properties, particularly capacity fade. Herein we report a hybrid density functional study of the crystal and electronic structures of and intrinsic point defects in the compositions LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM1/3) and LiNi1/3Co1/3Al1/3O2 (NCA1/3), which also serve as model compounds for NCM and NCA. We find that the transition metals can exist in different charge and spin states at different lattice sites. In NCM1/3, nickel/lithium antisite pairs, i.e., NiLi–LiNi, are estimated to be about 3% in samples prepared at 1000 °C. In NCA1/3, in addition to nickel antisites NiLi, aluminum antisites AlLi can also occur with a very high concentration. The AlLi defect has a high energy except when it is located between two Al atoms...
Culture:: A Factor Influencing the Outcomes of Occupational Therapy

Culture is defined and discussed as an important ingredient to treatment planning. Components of culture are identified and examples of how they pertain to treatment are given through a brief case example.
The Naked Truth: Revealing the Affinity for Graphic Sexual Appeals in Advertising

ABSTRACT Graphic sexual appeals grab attention but the advertising literature suggests that these messages are far from a “magic bullet.” Using a large national panel ( N = 1,506), the current research manipulated levels of nudity in fragrance ads and assessed key constructs including Sexual Self Schema, Sensation Seeking, and dimensions of the Reidenbach-Robin Multi-dimensional Ethics Scale to determine which factors best account for individual response. Findings indicate that elements of all three variables were important predicators of viewers9 emotional, attitudinal, and behavioral responses, especially as nudity increased. The results elucidate key factors for managerial action when incorporating sexual appeals in brand building.
Analysis on the result of fluoride concentration in drinking-water in rural area of Henan

Objective:To understand population distribution of the exposure to high fluoride in drinkingwater,and to supply scientific basis for defluoridation implementation.Methods:Drinking-water samples of all villages all over Henan rural area were collected for determination of fluoride concentration.Two samples were collected for villages having water supply projects,while three for those with individual water supply devices.The average fluoride concentration of the samples of each village stands for the drinking-water fluoride concentration of the whole village.Results:Totally 453 701 drinking-water sources were investigated,covering 158 counties(cities or districts) and 174 425 villages all over Hena;Among which 154 017 villages with drinking-water fluoride concentration no more than 1.0 mg/L,accounting for 88.30% (154 017/174 425);while 20 408 villages with water fluoride concentration higher than 1.0 mg/L,accounting for 11.70%(20 408/174 425).Among which villages with water fluoride concentration 1.1-2.0,2.1-4.0,and no less than 4.1 mg/L accounting for 8.00% (13 949/174 425),3.44% (60 074/174 425) and 0.26% (452/174 425),respectively.Population exposing to high fluoride in drinking-water distribute in 122 counties (cities or districts) of 17 provincially administered municipalities,numbering 12 409 thousand persons,accounting for 19.2% of the rural population of Henan;The number of villages with drinking-water fluoride concentration higher than 1.0 mg/L and 2.0 mg/L of Shangqiu,Zhoukou,Kaifeng,and Puyang four municipalities located in east,southeast,and northeast part of Henan accounts for 74.92% (15 289/20 408) and 87.60% (5 658/6 459),respectively.Conclusion:Population exposing to high fluoride in drinking-water are distributed in wide range in Henan,and Henan is one of the most severely fluoride-endangered provinces of China.Fluoride concentration of most of the drinking-water sources is slightly over standard.Population exposing to high fluoride in drinking-water are mainly distributed in the area of east,southeast,and northeast part of Henan which is the fluvial plain of Yellow River.
Ion Transport by Tracheal Epithelial Cells in Culture

In culture, cells from the dog tracheal epithelium form confluent cell sheets that have ion transport processes similar to those of the original tissue. Cell sheets grown from "normal" human tracheal mucosa resemble those of the dog in the presence of active chloride secretion, which can be stimulated by endogenous mediators. Tracheal cells cultured from patients with cystic fibrosis lack chloride secretion because their apical membranes are impermeable to this anion.
Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Originating in the Pancreas

Summary The case history is described of a patient with pancreaticolithiasis who bled massively from the pancreas into the duodenum. He presented the unusual clinical picture of massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage which required the administration of 26 pints of blood and surgical ligation of his pancreatic ducts for control.
The iPSC Technology to Study Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The inaccessibility of live human brain cells for research has blocked progress toward understanding mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders. A human model, using reprogrammed patient somatic cells offers an attractive alternative because it captures a patient's genome in a pluripotent stage. Despite current pitfalls, the disease-in-a-dish approach allows dynamic analyses of target cells, offering a unique opportunity to dissect cellular and molecular alterations in a controlled environment. Recent publications have highlighted the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here, I will discuss the advantages of the iPSC technology to complement and advance the research in ASD. Furthermore, I will review the literature on upcoming innovative technology in tissue engineering and examine how that could be combined with current stem cell practices for a better disease modeling tool and future drug screening.
Dual institution experience of nodal marginal zone lymphoma reveals excellent long-term outcomes in the rituximab era.

Nodal marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) is a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma that arises from mature B-cells. We delineate outcomes, prognostic factors and treatment trends among a large cohort of patients with NMZL in the rituximab era. We identified 56 such patients treated at our institutions. The majority presented with advanced stage disease (78·6%). Over a median follow-up of 38·2 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 42·4 months and median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Kaplan-Meier estimates of OS at 120 months after diagnosis was 71·9%. High-risk follicular lymphoma international prognostic index (FLIPI) was associated with inferior PFS. Age >60 years and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were associated with inferior OS. Transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma occurred in 7 patients, 6 of who presented with advanced disease. OS was comparable to our previously reported extranodal MZL cohort. FLIPI score predicted for inferior PFS and OS when both cohorts were analysed together (n = 267). In summary, outcomes in NMZL are favourable with a large majority of patients surviving at 120 months. High risk FLIPI, age >60 years, and elevated serum LDH were associated with inferior outcomes.
Harmonic colormaps for volume visualization

Color design forms a crucial part in visual aesthetics, and it has been shown that a visually aesthetic visualization will be looked at more carefully. An important role plays here the choice of a colormap that is composed of harmonic colors. This paper presents an interface that allows users to choose harmonic colors in volume visualization applications. In addition, it describes mechanisms by which non-harmonic colormaps can be converted to harmonic ones, but keeping lightness constant to preserve the original contrast relationships. Finally, we also show how harmonic colors can be used for the highlighting of important volume features.
Functional sugar-based polymers and nanostructures comprised of degradable poly(D-glucose carbonate)s

Fundamental synthetic methodology was advanced to allow for the preparation of a reactive glucose-based block copolycarbonate, which was conveniently transformed into a series of amphiphilic block copolymers that underwent aqueous assembly into functional nanoparticle morphologies having practical utility in biomedical and other applications. Two degradable D-glucose carbonate monomers, with one carrying alkyne functionality, were designed and synthesized to access well-defined block polycarbonates (Đ < 1.1) via sequential organocatalytic ring opening polymerizations (ROPs). Kinetic studies of the organocatalyzed sequential ROPs showed a linear relationship between the monomer conversion and the polymer molecular weight, which indicated the controlled fashion during each polymerization. The pendant alkyne groups underwent two classic click reactions, copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) and thiol–yne addition reactions, which were employed to render hydrophilicity for the alkyne-containing block and to provide a variety of amphiphilic diblock poly(D-glucose carbonate)s (PGCs). The resulting amphiphilic PGCs were further assembled into a family of nanostructures with different sizes, morphologies, surface charges and functionalities. These non-ionic and anionic nanoparticles showed low cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells and MC3T3 healthy mouse osteoblast precursor cells, while the cationic nanoparticles exhibited significantly higher IC50 (162 μg mL−1 in RAW 264.7; 199 μg mL−1 in MC3T3) compared to the commercially available cationic lipid-based formulation, Lipofectamine (IC50 = 31 μg mL−1), making these nanomaterials of interest for biomedical applications.
Spatial navigation and risk of cognitive impairment: A prospective cohort study.

Abstract Introduction Spatial navigation deficits are reported in dementia, but their temporal relationship to cognitive decline is not established. Methods This is a prospective cohort study in 442 nondemented adults (mean age 79.9 years). Spatial navigation measured with the Floor Maze Test and reported as immediate maze time (IMT) and delayed maze time (DMT). Predementia syndromes, mild cognitive impairment syndrome (MCI) and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), were primary outcomes. Results Over a mean follow-up of 16.5 ± 13.7 months, 41 participants developed MCI and 30 participants developed MCR. In Cox models adjusted for age, sex, education, cognitive status, comorbid illnesses, and maze errors, a 10-second increment on IMT predicted incident MCI (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.48) and MCR (aHR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.23–1.90). DMT predicted MCR but not MCI. Discussion Spatial navigation performance predicted predementia syndromes in aging and implicates navigational impairments as an early feature in dementias.
Exploring the Frontiers of Computation: Measurement Based Quantum Computers and the Mechanistic View of Computation

In this paper I investigate measurement based quantum computers (MBQCs) using the mechanistic view of computation. I begin by demonstrating that Turing’s work cannot serve as an analysis of computation. I proceed to describe the mechanistic view of computation and then apply it to MBQCs. That computers as peculiar as MBQCs can be handled by the mechanistic view provides good confirmation for it. Additionally, I will show how the mechanistic view helps us understand how MBQCs work, and how this understanding might be applied to expand the frontiers of computation.
Antifeedant and Toxic Effects of a Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss)-Based Formulation Neemix® Against Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

The antifeedant activity of Neemix 4.5 EC, a commercial formulation of azadirachtin from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), was tested against adult Nezara viridula (L.) in the laboratory using a cowpea pod-dip method. A toxicity assay was conducted by dipping fourth-instar nymphs. Feeding by adults was significantly reduced in treated pods compared with controls, based on counts of salivary deposits on pod surfaces, inside pod walls and on seeds. The antifeedant effect of azadirachtin was significantly greater on pods treated with 5% aqueous solution than on those treated with 0.5%, indicating that the antifeedant activity was related to concentration. Bugs were initially repelled by Neemix before approaching treated pods to feed. The LC50 for nymphs was 61% (27450 ppm azadirachtin) at 2 d and ranged from 1.8 to 6.2% (810 to 2790 ppm) at 5 d post-treatment, which indicated that neem was slow acting. Sublethal treatment of nymphs disrupted molting and caused morphological defects in adults. Devel...
Melt-spinnable polyacrylonitrile copolymer precursors for carbon fibers

Abstract This paper describes the feasibility of achieving melt-processable polyacrylonitrile copolymer precursors for producing high strength carbon fibers. High molecular weight poly(acrylonitrile- ran -methyl acrylate) (PAN-MA) copolymers with high acrylonitrile content were mixed were various binary melting point modifiers with one component being water to produce systems that formed stable melts at temperatures below the temperature corresponding to the onset of PAN-MA crosslinking. The structure of the copolymer was 96.5 ± 0.13 mol% AN and 4.40 ± 0.13 mol % MA by 1 H NMR with an M w = 238 kDa and polydispersity of 1.9 determined by size exclusion chromatography. A reduction in the T m of the copolymer of 200 °C was established for one of the copolymer/melting point modifier systems, which corresponds to the greatest reduction in a PAN-based copolymer melting temperature yet reported. From isothermal DSC and pressurized capillary rheometry experiments it was found that the stability of the resulting melts shows a strong temperature dependence, but does not show a strong dependence on shear-rate. Copolymer mixtures consisting of H 2 O and acetonitrile or adiponitrile were found to be suitable for melt-extrusion at 170 °C with viscosities ranging from 1800 to 2000 Pa*s and stabilities of the melts ≥1 h.
Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding human immunodeficiency virus and in-home testing among a regional sample of student pharmacists.

Abstract Introduction Pharmacists identify the importance of education on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); however, research suggests deficits in knowledge regarding recommendations and testing devices. With proper training, student pharmacists can play an important role in counseling patients on the importance of HIV testing and providing instruction on in-home testing. The objective of the study was to assess student pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of HIV and the use of an in-home, over-the-counter HIV testing device. Methods A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted among an estimated sample of 2077 students from six regional schools of pharmacy. The questionnaire consisted of 40 closed-ended, fixed-choice items delivered using school/organizational listservs. Surveys were e-mailed during March and April 2016 with a reminder e-mail sent two weeks later. Key outcomes included real and perceived knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of HIV in general and of the OraQuick® In-Home HIV test. Results A total of 387 student pharmacists participated (response rate of 18.6%). Respondents expressed positive perception of knowledge regarding HIV in general (67.6% highly agree/agree to five-item scale) but considerably lower attitude/beliefs for the in-home HIV test (16.7% highly agree/agree overall to five-item scale). Perceptions of general HIV knowledge were higher for students in later professional years (p Conclusions Opportunities exist to improve knowledge of HIV and the use of the OraQuick® In-Home HIV test among student pharmacists.
Anterior Shoulder Pain in a 23-Year-Old Overhead Throwing Athlete

Anterior shoulder pain is incredibly common among throwing athletes and a common reason for seeking medical care. The symptom constellation often presents following long-standing overuse injury. Proper evaluation and management is critical to obtaining optimal outcomes. Potential pathology encountered includes superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) tears, glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD), biceps tendinopathy, acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries, subacromial impingement, and rotator cuff tears. Advanced imaging can help elucidate the exact cause of shoulder pain but should be used as confirmatory and coupled with the patient’s overt symptoms. Treatment options are variable and depend upon the pathology encountered. Postoperative rehab and subsequent return to activity should be tempered by the procedure performed and the underlying pathology. Concomitant procedures are sometimes necessary to treat other pathologies affecting the shoulder.
Trends for Reported Discrimination in Health Care in a National Sample of Older Adults with Chronic Conditions.

Background Discrimination in health care settings is associated with poor health outcomes and may be especially harmful to individuals with chronic conditions, who need ongoing clinical care. Although efforts to reduce discrimination are growing, little is known about national trends in discrimination in health care settings.
Baylisascaris larva migrans

Baylisascaris procyonis is a roundworm of the raccoon found primarily in North America but also known to occur in other parts of the world including South America, Europe, and Japan. Migration of the larvae of this parasite is recognized as a cause of clinical neural larva migrans (NLM) in humans, primarily children. It is manifested as meningoencephalitis associated with marked eosinophilia of the cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood. Diagnosis is made by recovering and identifying larvae in or from the tissues, epidemiological history, serology, and imaging of the central nervous system. Treatment is with albendazole and steroids, although the prognosis is generally poor. This parasite can also cause ocular larva migrans (OLM) which usually presents as diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN). The ocular diagnosis can be made by visualizing the larva in the eye and by serology. Intraocular larvae can be destroyed by photocoagulation although albendazole and steroids may also be used. However, once visual disturbance is established the prognosis for improved vision is poor. Related Baylisascaris species occur in skunks, badgers, and certain other carnivores, although most cases of NLM are caused by B. procyonis. Baylisascaris procyonis has also been found in kinkajous in the USA and South America and may also occur in related procyonids (coatis, olingos, etc.).
Global retailers and logalization: ‘thinking locally and acting globally’

This research provides theoretical rationale to explain how global retailers are able to harvest multiple ideas from diverse host-markets and add relevant new ideas into a standardized retail mix t...
A 28-GHz Switchless, SiGe Bidirectional Amplifier Using Neutralized Common-Emitter Differential Pair

This letter presents a 28-GHz switchless, SiGe bidirectional amplifier (BDA) using a neutralized differential common-emitter amplifier core. On-chip transformer-based input–output baluns are included in the design for single-ended measurement and characterization. The BDA was implemented using GlobalFoundries 8HP 0.13- $\mu \text{m}$ SiGe BiCMOS technology. The forward and backward gains are 10 and 8.6 dB, with noise figure of 3.9 and 4.2 dB, respectively, at 28 GHz. The input-referred 1-dB compression point at 28 GHz for forward and backward operations is −2.4 and −0.4 dBm, respectively. The BDA consumes 26.9 mW of power with a 1.6-V $V_{\mathbf {CC}}$ at a $V_{\mathbf {BE}}$ bias of 0.86 V. The circuit has dimensions of $0.71\times0.90$ mm2 including bondpads.
Components of change and the evolution of learning in theory and experiment

Theoretical treatments of the evolution of learning have a long and rich history, and although many aspects remain unresolved, the consensus is that the predictability and timescale of environmental change play a crucial role in when learning evolves. Directly testing these ideas has proven difficult because comparative experiments must assume many often unknowable aspects of an evolutionary past. Even within the present, identifying and accurately quantifying the relevant types of change can be problematic. Controlling or manipulating change can be difficult in many taxa. Within the theory, what is meant by change can markedly vary between models. Here, we present a targeted comparison of models to show this variation, and argue that standardizing measures of change can add tractability to models. We first review how change is emphasized in models of learning evolution and then describe the still small literature that directly tests the evolution of learning via digital evolution and experimental evolution. We then give an example of how to tie specific natural history to larger theory on learning evolution using the flag model of reliability and certainty and foraging in bumblebees. Learning, by its nature, is of fundamental importance to many fields. Theoretical treatments of learning evolution have been growing at a rapid pace, often with limited empirical applicability to natural systems and little congruence on what is meant by change across models. By explicitly defining change and tying models to natural systems, we can greatly increase our ability to not only understand when learning should evolve, but also when learning does evolve.
94 : Interleukin-22 mediates protection during a murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease characterized by ulcerating skin lesions that are normally self-healing. However some patients develop more severe disease that fails to resolve. While parasite control by the immune response has been well studied, the mechanisms of how lesions resolve, or in some cases fail to resolve, is not well understood. IL-22, a member in the IL-10 family of cytokines, has been shown to contribute to the wound healing process through maintenance of the epithelial barrier. In this study, we investigated whether IL-22 contributed to lesion resolution during Leishmania infection. We infected IL-22 deficient mice in the ear with L. major and found that these mice developed more severe disease compared with C57BL/6 control mice. The lesions of the IL-22 deficient mice had significantly more inflammation, which resulted in tissue loss at the site of infection. However, we found that parasite burdens were similar in the wild-type and IL-22 deficient mice, suggesting that the increased inflammation was not due to an increased parasite burden. Instead, the lesions from the IL-22 deficient mice expressed significantly higher levels of IL-1 α , IL-1 β , and S100A8/S100A9, molecules associated with tissue damage, increased epithelial cell death, and delayed wound healing. These studies suggest that during L. major infection, IL-22 plays a previously unappreciated role in controlling Leishmania-induced inflammation, presumably by protecting epithelial cells from cell death and maintaining the epithelial barrier for an efficient wound healing response.