cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Turning foes to allies in cognitive radio networks

We study a class of problems in Cognitive Radio Networks where multiple half-duplex unlicensed (secondary) users can eavesdrop and jam the communications of licensed (primary) users unless granted access to communicate over the same spectrum band. The problem is to characterize the optimal rule for the primary system that grants spectrum access to selected secondary users and the optimal resource allocation for the secondary users. We model the problem as a Stackelberg game with the primary system as the leader. The equilibrium analysis shows that it is not always optimal to grant access to the strongest eavesdroppers. In addition, it is shown that transmitting secondary users can limit the eavesdropping capabilities of other secondary users, possibly leading to improved primary secure transmission data rate. Thus, interestingly, the outcome reveals a recruiting process that turns selected eavesdroppers into helping jammers under certain conditions. Finally, we propose a low complexity algorithm to select a subset of secondary users for transmission and evaluate the performance of the primary system when different number of secondary users are granted access through simulations.
Advances in Label-Free Screening Approaches for Studying Histone Acetyltransferases

Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) catalyze the transfer of an acetyl group from an acetyl-coenzyme A donor molecule to specific lysine residues within proteins. The acetylation state of proteins, particularly histones, is known to modulate their intermolecular binding properties and control various cellular processes, most notably transcriptional activation. In addition, deregulation of HAT activity has been linked to the development of a number of cancers; therefore, compounds that affect these enzymes have strong potential as therapeutic agents. The research presented here demonstrates three label-free HAT screening approaches, all based on the fast and direct measurement of one or more substrate-product pairs by high-throughput mass spectrometry techniques. The first approach involves monitoring all possible acetylation states of a peptide concurrently to measure HAT activity. The second approach measures acetylation reactions, on both peptides and whole protein substrates, via direct detection of the acetyl-coenzyme A cosubstrate and coenzyme A coproduct. Lastly, the authors demonstrate the ability to monitor directly the acetylation state of whole histone proteins in the same high-throughput manner using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The generation of compound-mediated inhibition data using each of these techniques establishes mass spectrometry as a versatile, label-free, and biologically relevant screening approach to this challenging target class.
The molecular biology of metal ion transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

▪ Abstract Transition metals such as iron, copper, manganese, and zinc are essential nutrients. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an ideal organism for deciphering the mechanism and regulation of metal ion transport. Recent studies of yeast have shown that accumulation of any single metal ion is mediated by two or more substrate-specific transport systems. High-affinity systems are active in metal-limited cells, whereas low-affinity systems play the predominant roles when the substrate is more abundant. Metal ion uptake systems of cells are tightly controlled, and both transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms have been identified. Most importantly, studies of S. cerevisiae have identified a large number of genes that function in metal ion transport and have illuminated the existence and importance of gene families that play related roles in these processes in mammals.
Functional Requirement of Plant Farnesyltransferase during Development in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis era1 was identified as an abscisic acid–hypersensitive mutant caused by disruptions or deletions of the gene for the β subunit (AtFTB) of farnesyltransferase (FTase). The heterodimeric enzyme catalyzes the covalent attachment of the 15-carbon farnesyl diphosphate to the C terminus of regulatory proteins and is essential for growth in yeast. The first disruption of FTB in a multicellular context revealed several developmental and growth regulatory processes that require the function of FTase. The lack of FTase activity in the Arabidopsis era1-2 FTB deletion mutant resulted in enlarged meristems and organs, supernumerary organs in floral whorls, arrested development of axillary meristems, late flowering, and homeotic transformations of flowers. Complementation of era1-2 with LeFTB, the tomato gene for the β subunit of FTase, restored a normal phenotype and confirmed that the lesion is in AtFTB alone. The effect of this lesion on control of meristem size and on developmental processes suggests the involvement of regulatory proteins that require farnesylation for their function. At least three distinct processes that require the function of FTase were identified: regulation of cellular differentiation in the meristems, meristem maintenance, and regulation of flower development. Together, these results provide a basis for future studies on the involvement of FTase in specific developmental processes and for structure–function analysis of FTase in vivo.
Zn2+-dependent deoxyribozymes that form natural and unnatural RNA linkages.

We report Zn2+-dependent deoxyribozymes that ligate RNA. The DNA enzymes were identified by in vitro selection and ligate RNA with kobs up to 0.5 min-1 at 1 mM Zn2+ and 23 °C, pH 7.9, which is substantially faster than our previously reported Mg2+-dependent deoxyribozymes. Each new Zn2+-dependent deoxyribozyme mediates the reaction of a specific nucleophile on one RNA substrate with a 2‘,3‘-cyclic phosphate on a second RNA substrate. Some of the Zn2+-dependent deoxyribozymes create native 3‘−5‘ RNA linkages (with kobs up to 0.02 min-1), whereas all of our previous Mg2+-dependent deoxyribozymes that use a 2‘,3‘-cyclic phosphate create non-native 2‘−5‘ RNA linkages. On this basis, Zn2+-dependent deoxyribozymes have promise for synthesis of native 3‘−5‘-linked RNA using 2‘,3‘-cyclic phosphate RNA substrates, although these particular Zn2+-dependent deoxyribozymes are likely not useful for this practical application. Some of the new Zn2+-dependent deoxyribozymes instead create non-native 2‘−5‘ linkages, just ...
Mycorrhizal fungi and reproduction of field populations of Abutilon theophrasti Medic. (Malvaceae)

SUMMARY The effects of inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus amendment on reproduction of Abutilon theophrasti Medic, were documented over two years in the field. In Year 1 all plots were thinned to a common and relatively low density (12 plants m−2). Mycorrhizal infection significantly increased capsule and seed production. Phosphorus amendment had little effect on these characters, possibly due to low soil moisture content. In Year 2 following natural recruitment, inoculated (M) plots were much more dense than uninoculated (NM) plots. In contrast with the results from Year 1, however, individual plains in M plots produced fewer capsules than those in NM plots in Year 2 because capsule production in Year 2 was density-dependent. Based on these results and others, we suggest that in monospecific stands of Abutilon, mycorrhizal infections have the greatest effects on fecundity at low densities. At higher densities, density-dependent forces may reduce the importance of mycorrhizal infections to reproductive effort of a single plant. Our results highlight the necessity of examining the effects of mycorrhizal fungi in natural populations and communities.
Four-dimensional views of 3D scalar fields

Scalar functions of three variables, w=f(x, y, z), are common in many types of scientific and medical applications. Such 3D scalar fields can be understood as elevation maps in four dimensions, with three independent variables (x, y, z) and a fourth, dependent, variable w that corresponds to the elevations. It is shown how techniques developed originally for the display of 3-manifolds in 4D Euclidean space can be adapted to visualize 3D scalar fields in a variety of ways. >
An arbitrarily high sampling rate DLMS adaptive filter

The authors propose a new scheme for implementing gradient based transversal adaptive filters at speeds which are theoretically independent of both filter order and hardware speed. The design is based on an order recursive variant of the delayed least mean squares (DLMS) algorithm. The order recursive nature of this algorithm allows the use of pipelining techniques to design high speed adaptive filters whose sampling rates are independent of the filter order. It is shown that this algorithm can be vectorized so that an arbitrary number of outputs can be computed simultaneously using parallel hardware. The proposed system is shown to be capable of implementing transversal adaptive filters at sampling rates which are theoretically without bound. The performance of the proposed system is analyzed and simulation results are presented to verify the convergence properties of the algorithm. >
Non-parametric Estimation of Mixture Model Order

Mixture models are among the most popular and effective techniques for image segmentation. While Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) are a reasonable choice, the number of components is not easy to determine. A non-parametric technique, based on the transformation and analysis of the D(R) (distortion- rate) curve is proposed for model order identification purposes. This curve is estimated via the popular K- means clustering algorithm. To achieve repeatability and efficiency, various centroid initialization and image down sampling methods are proposed and tested. This technique also provides good starting points for inferring the GMM parameters via the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm, which effectively reduces the segmentation time and the chances of getting trapped in local optima.
Effective Induction of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific Systemic and Mucosal Immune Responses in Primates by Vaccination with Proviral DNA Producing Intact but Noninfectious Virions

We report a pilot evaluation of a DNA vaccine producing genetically inactivated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) particles in primates, with a focus on eliciting mucosal immunity. Our results demonstrate that DNA vaccines can be used to stimulate strong virus-specific mucosal immune responses in primates. The levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) detected in rectal secretions of macaques that received the DNA vaccine intradermally and at the rectal mucosa were the most striking of all measured immune responses and were higher than usually achieved through natural infection. However, cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses were generally low and sporadically present in different animals. Upon rectal challenge with cloned SIVmac239, resistance to infection was observed, but some animals with high SIV-specific IgA levels in rectal secretions became infected. Our results suggest that high levels of IgA alone are not sufficient to prevent the establishment of chronic infection, although mucosal IgA responses may have a role in reducing the infectivity of the initial viral inoculum.
Low-voltage Gilbert current-gain cell

A modified Gilbert current gain cell works with a single supply voltage as low as 1.5 V (2V/sub BE/) and reduced power consumption. The circuit inherits most features of the original cell, including the ability to be cascaded without increasing the supply voltage. No special technological features are required to implement the circuit. The design has been verified experimentally using CA 3046 and CA 3096 transistor arrays.
Carotenoid Action on the Immune Response

Early studies demonstrating the ability of dietary carotenes to prevent infections have left open the possibility that the action of these carotenoids may be through their prior conversion to vitamin A. Subsequent studies to demonstrate the specific action of dietary carotenoids have used carotenoids without provitamin A activity such as lutein, canthaxanthin, lycopene and astaxanthin. In fact, these nonprovitamin A carotenoids were as active, and at times more active, than beta-carotene in enhancing cell-mediated and humoral immune response in animals and humans. Another approach to study the possible specific role of dietary carotenoids has used animals that are inefficient converters of carotenoids to vitamin A, for example the domestic cat. Results have similarly shown immuno-enhancement by nonprovitamin A carotenoids, based either on the relative activity or on the type of immune response affected compared to beta-carotene. Certain carotenoids, acting as antioxidants, can potentially reduce the toxic effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS, and therefore carotenoids, have been implicated in the etiology of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Recent studies on the role of carotenoids in gene regulation, apoptosis and angiogenesis have advanced our knowledge on the possible mechanism by which carotenoids regulate immune function and cancer.
Efficacy of Amphotericin B or Itraconazole in a Murine Model of Central Nervous System Aspergillus Infection

Given the greater than 90% lethality of clinical central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis despite current therapies, there is a need for an animal model to study therapeutic strategies. We previously established a model of CNS aspergillosis by intracerebral infection and report here the results of treatment with the two therapies with the greatest clinical experience, i.e., treatments with amphotericin B (AMB) and itraconazole (ITZ). Mice were given cyclophosphamide to produce pancytopenia. AMB was given intraperitoneally (i.p.; 3 mg/kg of body weight) or intravenously (i.v.; 0.8 mg/kg) once daily. ITZ in cyclodextrin was given by gavage once daily at a dose of 100 mg/kg or twice daily at 50 mg/kg. Treatments were started at day 1 postinfection and given for 10 days. At day 15, survivors were euthanatized. Ninety percent of the mice given no treatment died by day 6, and 100% died by day 10. Mice treated with AMB either i.p. or i.v. had 40% survival. Mice treated with ITZ either once or twice per day had a median survival time of 10 days, compared with 4 days for control animals, but a survival rate of only 10%. AMB and ITZ prolonged survival (P, <0.0001 to <0.05) compared with controls. Brains from surviving mice had CFU of Aspergillus fumigatus. This model can be used to compare newer antifungals and to study combination therapy or immunotherapy to find better therapeutic alternatives.
Three-Catheter Technique for Ablation of Left-Sided Accessory Pathways in Wolff-Parkinson-White is Less Expensive and Equally Successful When Compared to a Five-Catheter Technique.

Purpose To compare the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of a three-catheter approach with a conventional five-catheter approach for the mapping and ablation of supraventricular tachycardia in pediatric patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) and concealed accessory pathways (APs). Methods A retrospective review from 2008 to 2012 of patients less than 21 years with WPW who underwent a three-catheter radiofrequency (RF) ablation of a left-sided AP (ablation, right ventricular [RV] apical, and coronary sinus [CS] decapolar catheters) was performed. The three-catheter group was compared to a control group who underwent a standard five-catheter (ablation, RV apical, CS decapolar, His catheter, and right atrial catheter) ablation for the treatment of left-sided WPW or concealed AP. Demographics, ablation outcomes, and costs were compared between groups. Results Twenty-eight patients met inclusion criteria with 28 control patients. The groups did not differ in gender, age, weight, or body surface area. Locations of the AP on the mitral annulus were similar between the groups. All patients were ablated via transseptal approach. Note that 28 of 28 in the three-catheter group (100%) and 27 of 28 (96%) controls were acutely successfully ablated (P = 0.31). No complications were encountered. There was no difference in procedural time, time to loss of AP conduction, or number of RF applications. Use of the three-catheter technique resulted in a total savings of $2,465/case, which includes the $680 savings from using fewer catheters as well as the savings from a shortened procedure time. Conclusions Ablation in patients with WPW and a left-sided AP can be performed using three catheters with similar efficacy and safety while offering significant cost savings compared to a conventional five-catheter approach.
Electric-field-controlled diffraction in photorefractive strontium barium niobate.

The readout diffraction efficiency of a photorefractive hologram stored in single-crystal strontium barium niobate (SBN) is shown to depend strongly on a uniform electric field applied along the c axis. The effect is observed in the vicinity of the diffuse ferroelectric phase transition that occurs near room temperature for SBN:75. Measurements of the nonlinear electro-optic and dielectric properties of SBN verify a simple model describing the origin of the field-dependent diffraction.
A novel test method to measure the fracture toughness of ceramic balls used in bearings

T A novel mechanical test has been developed to measure the fracture toughness of the silicon-nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) balls used in modern hybrid bearings. The ball is compressed diametrally between two hemispherical conforming dies, which causes the ball's equator to bulge, generating a tensile hoop stress. Under applied load, a precrack placed at the equator grows. To calculate the ball's fracture toughness at crack instability, finite-element calculations of the applied stress field and an analytical solution for the stress intensity factor are used in the 'two point plus semiellipse' method. Tests of 16 Si 3 N 4 balls and three soda-lime glass balls gave fracture toughness measurements in good agreement with accepted published values. The new technique appears to be more accurate than the indentation technique used to measure the toughness of ceramics. As future work, the test can be extended to measure fatigue and stress corrosion properties for Si 3 N 4 balls.
The use of epidemiology for establishing hazards and risk

The strategies by which epidemiology addresses potential health effects are described and contrasted with experimental laboratory assessments of health and safety. The role of epidemiology in establishing regulatory standards is discussed. This approach is illustrated by the study of residential 60 Hz magnetic field exposure in relation to childhood cancer. It is concluded that although the difficulties in quantifying exposure, threat of bias, and frequent inconsistency of results place limitations on epidemiology, it should and probably will continue to play a key role in the developing of exposure standards. >
Managing Inventories - Reorder Point Systems

This note introduces students to the replenishment-inventory management framework, concepts, and tools. Excerpt UVA-OM-0936 MANAGING INVENTORIES—REORDER POINT SYSTEMS Inventories account for a significant percentage of the current assets of companies in industries ranging from hospitals and restaurants to manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing firms. So, managing inventories is often the key aspect of improving a firm's working capital position and its return on assets. An inventory-management system is a set of procedures for managing the items in inventory. The focus in this note is on one such system—the Reorder Point System. Other inventory management systems and concepts have been addressed in separate technical notes. The selection of a system for an item or group of items depends, in part, on the type of demand experienced by the item. There are two basic types of demand, forecast demand and scheduled requirements demand. Forecast Demand Orders may arrive at unpredictable intervals and call for quantities whose magnitude cannot be precisely predicted ahead of time. Examples of such orders include service parts orders, distributor orders placed upon a factory warehouse, or customer demand at a retail facility. When the arrival time and quantity required for each order are unknown, stocks must be held in anticipation of demand. The principal management concern is to maintain the proper quantity of each item held—given that too much stock absorbs a disproportionate share of the firm's assets, and too little stock reduces customer service. Forecasts are thus necessary and must be based on historical order rates and anticipated changes in future usage. . . .
Abstract 3443: No Exacerbation of Perihematomal Edema or Ventricular Volume with Intraventricular Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Patients with Spontaneous Intraventricular Hemorrhage

Introduction: In severe spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), intraventricular (IVR) administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) results in more rapid clearing of blood from the ventricles than with external ventricular drainage (EVD) alone. However, experimental studies suggest tPA may be neurotoxic in compromised brain tissue and may exacerbate perihematomal edema. Methods: We used computerized volumetrics to assess change in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), IVH, ventricular and peri-ICH edema (PHE) volumes at 2-5 (T1) and 5-9 (T2) days following diagnostic CT scans (T0) of 20 patients (10 tPA treated; 10 controls) with IVH requiring EVD. Control patients from a hospital database treated with EVD alone were matched by IVH and ICH volume to tPA-treated patients. Treated patients came from two multicenter trials involving 100 patients with IVH, and spontaneous ICH volume Results: There were no significant differences between matched pairs in terms of age, admission Glasgow Coma Score, Graeb IVH score, PHE volume, total ventricular volume, or ICH volume. Median IVH volume was larger in the tPA-treated group (26.2 cc iqr10.2 vs. 23.1 cc iqr9.2; P=0.02). IVR tPA resulted in more rapid clearance of IVH as determined by T2-T0 decrease in Graeb score and median IVH volume (tPA: -18.7 (10.8) cc; control:-7.6 (3.2) cc; P=0.005). Ratios of PHE to ICH volume were non-significantly higher in control vs. tPA treated patients at T1 and T2 [control:tPA = 0.82:0.77 (T1);P=0.44 and 0.64:0.56 (T2);P=0.48]. Total ventricular volume was significantly larger in the control group at T2 (median: 41.7 (36.9) cc vs. tPA: 24.5 (11.9) cc; P=0.02) and cumulative median cerebrospinal fluid drainage was non-significantly higher (control: 1079 (463) cc vs. tPA: 639 (428) cc; P=0.08). Ventriculitis was more frequent in the control group (4 vs. 2 episodes; P=0.08) as was shunt dependence (4 vs. 0 cases; P=0.04). Conclusions: For case matched large IVH with small ICH volume, IVR tPA enhances lysis of intraventricular blood clots, accelerates resolution of post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus and has no significant impact on perihematomal edema.
The Tocks Island Project: A Case Study of Participation and Interaction Patterns in an Intergovernmental Decision-Making System

The growth of metropolitan America has seriously affected the governmental institutions of this nation. The urban setting overflows traditional city, town and county boundaries to such an extent that a vocabulary has been created to deal with this horizontal and vertical growth in government. The Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) incorporates cities, towns, counties, special districts and interstate agencies in a single regional area. Even more dynamic than the growth of the SMSA is the economic and political interlocking of communities all along the eastern seaboard, from Boston to Washington, D.C.
Cigarette smoking and secondhand smoking exposure among adolescents in Jiangsu Province

Objective To investigate cigarette smoking and secondhand smoking exposure among adolescents in Jiangsu Province.Methods Multistage stratified clustering random sampling was used,a total 5 697 middle school students were selected from 14 surveillance areas with questionnaires survey.Weight analysis was used to estimate prevalence(95% CI)of cigarette smoking and secondhand smoking exposure.Results The prevalence of experimental and current cigarette smoking among adolescent was 9.2%(7.3%-11.5%)and 1.0%(0.6%-1.7%),respectively.The prevalence of secondhand smoking exposure in home,indoor and outdoor places among adolescent students were 40.0%(34.7%-45.6%),50.7%(45.0%-56.4%)and 52.6%(45.9%-59.2%),respectively.In the previous 30 days,40.7%(35.8%-45.8%)students reported that someone smoked indoor and outdoor places at school.The proportion of awareness of "secondhand smoking definitely harming health" was 76.2%(73.5%-78.8%).The proportion of supporting smoke-free indoor and outdoor public places was62.6%(60.2%-64.9%)and 64.5%(62.7%-66.2%),respectively.Conclusion There are adolescents with experimental and current cigarette smoking.Secondhand smoking exposure is high.So,comprehensive tobacco control intervention should be carried out urgently.
Electrophysiological study of micturition reflexes in rats

Electrophysiological techniques were used to examine the asynchronous and evoked activity on postganglionic nerves to the urinary bladder in the urethananesthetized rat. Distension of the bladder (0.4-0.6 ml) evoked reflex contractions of the bladder (mean intravesical pressure 28 cmH2O) and efferent firing on postganglionic nerves. Electrical stimulation of afferent and efferent axons in the pelvic nerve elicited short-latency (0.3-11 ms) responses and long-latency (45-170 ms) reflexes on the nerves. The short-latency responses consisted of nonsynaptic axonal volleys with conduction velocities ranging from 0.5 to 11 m/s and synaptic responses with latencies of 6-11 ms. Stimulation of the pelvic nerve elicited late supraspinal reflexes (mean latency 122 +/- 28 ms) in 60% of normal rats and an early reflex (mean latency 56 +/- 5 ms) in 25% of those animals in which a late reflex was also identified. Early reflexes (mean latency 50 +/- 9 ms) were elicited in 100% of chronic spinal animals. The conduction time for the afferent and efferent limbs of the reflexes was calculated to be 7 and 58 ms, respectively, with a central delay of 57 ms for the late and less than 5 ms for the early reflex. It is concluded that sacral parasympathetic input to the urinary bladder of the rat is mediated by supraspinal and spinal reflex pathways. It is likely that in normal animals the late-occurring supraspinal reflex mediates micturition. The significance of the spinal reflex in the normal animals is uncertain; however, this reflex is essential for the generation of automatic micturition in chronic spinal preparations.
An Introduction to Personal Network Analysis and Tie Churn Statistics Using E-NET

In this article we review foundational aspects of personal network analysis (also called ego network analysis) and introduce ENET (Borgatti 2006), a computer program designed specifically for personal network analysis. We present the basic steps for personal network data collection and use E-NET to review key measures of personal network analysis such as size, composition and structure. We close by introducing longitudinal measures of personal network change, including tie churn, brokerage elasticity, and triad change. We argue that these measures can help reveal change patterns consistent with tie formation strategies that would otherwise be missed using more traditional analytic approaches. Authors Daniel S. Halgin is Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Kentucky and a member of the Links Center for Social Network Analysis. He received his Ph.D. in Management from Boston College. His research interests include social network theory and methodology, identity dynamics, and career trajectories. Stephen P. Borgatti holds the Paul Chellgren Chair of Management at the LINKS Center for Social Network Analysis, Gatton College of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky. He received his Ph.D. in 1989 from the University of California, Irvine. His research interests include social network theory and methodology, knowledge management, and social cognition.
Length scales of the electron sheath and presheath

Provided a sufficiently small electrode, it is possible to bias it above the plasma potential. This results in an electron sheath, common to Langmuir probes in electron saturation. The traditional understanding of electron sheaths has been that they are isolated from the bulk plasma and result in a truncation of the electron velocity distribution at the sheath edge [1]. Recent results reveal that the electron sheath is adjoined by an electron presheath which drives a significant flow of electrons, excites instabilities, and extends far into the bulk plasma [2]. The extent of the electron presheath is predicted to scale with the electron collision rate which may be determined by one of several potential mechanisms. This work examines the length scales of the electron sheath and presheath in PIC simulations as a function of neutral pressure. It is found that at high gas pressures electron-neutral collisions suppress the formation of streaming instabilities and are responsible for determining the presheath length scale. Conversely, low pressures result in the electron presheath length being determined by the effective collisions of streaming instabilities.
The synthesis of novel polycyclic heterocyclic ring systems via photocyclization. 4 . Benzo[f]thieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]quinoline and Benzo[h]thieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]quinoline and the total assignment of their 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra†

The synthesis of two novel polycyclic heterocyclic ring systems via photocyclization are reported. These are benzo[f]thieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]quinoline and benzo[A]thieno-[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[2,3-c]quinoline. The total assignment of their 1H- and 13C-nmr spectra was determined by utilizing two-dimensional nmr spectroscopic methods.
A novel automated method for doing registration and 3D reconstruction from multi-modal RGB/IR image sequences

ABSTRACT In recent years, the use o f mu lti-modal camera rigs consisting of an RGB sensor and an infrared (IR) senso r have become increasingly popular for use in surveillance and robotics app lications. The advantages of using multi-modal camera rigs include improved foreground/background segmentation, wider range of lighting conditions under which the system works, and richer information (e.g. visible light and heat signature) for target identification. However, the traditional computer visio n method of mapping pairs o f images using pixel intensities or image features is often no t possible with an RGB/IR imag e pair. We introduce a novel method to overcome the lack of common features in RGB/IR image pairs by using a variational methods optimization algorithm to map the optical flow fields computed from different wavelength images. This results in the alignment of the flo w fields, whic h in turn pro duce correspo ndences similar to those found in a stereo RGB/RGB camera rig using pixel intensities or image features. In addition to aligning the different wavelength images, these correspondences are used to generate dense disparity and depth maps. We obtain accuracies similar to other multi-modal image alignment methodologies as long as the scene contains sufficient depth variations, although a direct comparison is n ot possible because o f the lack of st andard image sets from moving multi-modal camera rigs. We test our method on synthetic optical flow fields and on real image sequences that we created with a multi-modal binocular stereo RGB/IR camera rig. We determine our method's accuracy by comparin g against a ground truth. Keywords: infrared, multi-modal, variatio nal methods, optical flow, 3D, reconstru ction, surveillance, binocular stereo
Cascading Resilience: Leverage Points in Promoting Parent and Child Well-Being

While negative cascades have been well studied, little has been written on the promotion of upward spirals. We propose a conceptual model that situates parenting interventions as a leverage point in promoting positive cascades. We integrate broaden-and-build theory and social capital theory into the model to explain micro- and macro-level patterns of change in longitudinal prevention studies, acknowledging that when socioeconomic resources are scarce, investment in parenting may be challenging. Parenting prevention programs provide evidence of improvements in effective parenting behaviors, promote increased confidence and a belief in parenting abilities, and over time may activate positive cascades that affect other domains in parents' lives, such as health and peer support. Resulting positive emotions are hypothesized to broaden coping and build long-term resources that promote resilience. Social resources may then spill over to benefit individual, family, and community systems. Research methods for testing developmental cascades and practical applications are also considered.
How Do We Measure Success in Introductory College Chemistry

A focus on graduation rates and simple numerical measures appears to be a new, national trend. Providing and measuring quality in chemical education is discussed.
Body waves as normal and leaking modes—leaking modes of Love waves

abstract Dispersion curves of leaking modes of Love waves are computed for a one-layer crust-mantle model. The frequency and wave number are complex, but the group velocity is purely real. Group velocities well below the Airy phase of normal modes are found; waves with group velocities between 1.0 and 3.8 km/sec attenuate the least, but even these decay too much ever to be detected. There are no phase velocities between the velocity of the half-space and that corresponding to the Brewster angle.
Impact of vitamin D on the hospitalization rate of Crohn's disease patients seen at a tertiary care center.

Impact of vitamin D on the hospitalization rate of Crohn's disease patients seen at a tertiary care center
Macroscopically visible quantum interference due to strong interactions in colliding BECs

We use a non-perturbative many-body theory to explore macroscopic quantum interference in strongly interacting, colliding Bose-Einstein condensates.
Broadband terahertz detection trough plasmonic photoconductive nano-antenna arrays

We present a high-performance photoconductive terahertz detector based on plasmonic terahertz nano-antenna arrays. We demonstrate terahertz detection with record-high signal-to-noise ratio levels as high as 107 dB over a 5 THz detection bandwidth.
Bandit strategies for blindly attacking networks

Can we optimally attack networks (in terms of disrupting the ability of the nodes in the network from communicating) when the network topology is unknown? In this paper, we show that it is not always possible to do so when the network topology is unknown a priori. Specifically, we develop multi armed bandit-based techniques that enable the attacker to learn the best network attack strategies and also discuss the potential limitations that the attacker faces in such blind scenarios.
Bound states in the continuum lasers (Conference Presentation)

In 1929, von Neumann and Wigner showed that Schrodinger’s equation can have, somewhat surprisingly, bound states above the continuum threshold [1]. These bound states represent the limiting case of quasi-bound states with an infinite lifetime, i.e., resonances that do not decay. It was recently realized that bound states in the continuum (BICs) are intrinsically a wave phenomenon and are thus not restricted to quantum mechanics. Since then, they have been shown to occur in many different fields of wave physics such as acoustics and photonics. In photonics’ terminology, BICs are eigenmodes of an open system with an infinite radiation quality factor, Qrad. To take advantage of this unique property to design high quality resonant cavities, most investigations have focused on dielectric structures that, unlike their plasmonic counterparts, are not limited by their material quality factor, Qmat [3-5]. To investigate the properties of BICs, various platforms have been used such as 1D gratings [3], waveguide arrays [4], and 2D photonic crystal slabs [5]. In this contribution, we have designed a high quality cavity based on a BIC and harnessed its novel properties to achieve a compact low-threshold nanophotonic laser. [1] J. von Neumann and E. Wigner, “On some peculiar discrete eigenvalues” Phys. Z, 465 (1929). [2] C. Linton et al., “Embedded trapped modes in water waves and acoustics” Wave Motion 45, 16 (2007). [3] D. C. Marinica et al., “Bound states in the continuum in photonics” Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 183902 (2008). [4] Y. Plotnik et al., “Experimental observation of optical bound states in the continuum” Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 183901 (2011). [5] C. W. Hsu et al., “Observation of trapped light within the radiation continuum” Nature 499, 188 (2013).
36-P : LUMINEX SINGLE ANTIGEN C1Q NEGATIVE,CDC POSITIVE HLA SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES

Aim Donor directed cytotoxic positive HLA antibodies have been associated with hyperacute rejection in solid organ transplantation. A potentially more sensitive new solid phase luminex single antigen –C1q assay is used as an adjunct to the CDC assay in detecting these cytotoxic antibodies. The aim of our study was to compare the binding of HLA antibodies in several assays: Luminex single antigen (LSA), LSA with diluted sera, C1q, enhanced C1q, and CDC assays to determine their accuracy, significance and relevance to Flow and CDC crossmatches Methods Sera from 39 recipients with multiple HLA class I and /or II antibodies by LSA were tested by LSA-C1q and CDC frozen panel assay. Enhanced LSA-C1Q assay using 4X serum volume and longer incubation time as well as flow and CDC crossmatch assays were performed on 5 samples that were CDC and/or flow positive and LSA-C1q negative. Results 72% of the time, the antibodies detected by the CDC assay was positive by LSA, LSA-dil tests, while 28% were positive by LSA and LSA-dil but negative by C1q. For two sera, negative LSA-C1q results were contributed by high background. The binding increased from negative/low positive by LSA-C1q to moderate/strong binding with enhanced LSA-C1q assay for 5 sera. The detection level of antibodies to DR15, DR16 and DR4 seemed to be problematic and had a low detection level by LSA-C1q assay but increased to positive by enhanced LSA-C1q assay. Conclusions sIn most cases LSA-C1q assay is efficient in identifying CDC+ antibodies. However there appear to be cases where the enhanced LSA-C1q and CDC assay detect antibodies missed by the C1q assay. Several test methods are required to determine the presence and function of HLA antibodies.
Fatalism Toward Past and Future

Richard Taylor has enlivened various fields of analytical philosophy during the past three decades, especially with his ingenious attacks upon commonly held beliefs. I recall being particularly stimulated to reflection by his challenge to one pair of seeming truisms: our certainty that we no longer have any control over what has already happened; and the complementary assumption that some forthcoming events — notably our own deliberate acts — do remain ‘up to us’. Taylor has argued separately for backwards causation, and for a fatalistic view of what is going to occur. Most significantly, he seems able to transform every objection we produce against fatalism into an unwanted rationale for supposing that we can shape bygone events — and vice versa.
Impacts of the 2018 Division of Chemical Education Bylaw Changes on the Division’s Executive Committee Composition and Work

This communication updates our earlier publication pertaining to the Division of Chemical Education Executive Committee and Boards. With the certification of revised bylaws in 2018 by the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Constitution and Bylaws, a new member was added to the Executive Committee, recusal of specific Executive Committee members during discussions of appointments was modified, and the method of appointment for chairs of standing committees was clarified. The revised bylaws also change and clarify the fiduciary responsibilities of the Executive Committee and its Boards. An annual audit of the Division is required, and the communication of signature authority for financial accounts is assigned to the Secretary of the Division. Finally, those serving on the Executive Committee are briefly discussed, and a full listing of members of the Executive Committee and Boards is included in the Supporting Information.
Cognitive Mechanisms in Entrepreneurship as Firm-Level Determinants of Stakeholder Orientation

Freeman and colleagues (2010) recently proposed that stakeholder management, a concept anchored in the creation of value for both the firm and society, is akin to the entrepreneurial process of new...
Zone of Optimal Distinctiveness: Provider Asset Personalization and the Psychological Ownership of Shared Accommodation

In this paper, we conceptually explore how value co-creation in peer-to-peer lodging services is constrained by a fundamental tension between a provider’s personalization and psychological ownership of a shared accommodation and customers’ psychological ownership of it. Our conceptual framework contributes to theory development about the unique nature of service in the sharing economy. Drawing on literature about service-dominant logic, service interactions, the theory of extended self, the experience economy, psychological ownership, and strategic management, we contend that there is a zone of optimal distinctiveness wherein both a provider’s and a customer’s psychological ownership of shared accommodation, as well as the provider’s personalization of this asset, are optimized. It is beneficial for providers of peer-to-peer lodging services to stay within this zone of optimal distinctiveness when personalizing their leveraged assets in the sharing economy. Optimizing the psychological ownership of shared accommodation is desirable because it helps to satisfy the basic human needs of both a customer and a provider involved in a peer-to-peer lodging service, thereby increasing value co-creation in their service relationship. Also, a customer with high psychological ownership of shared accommodation will take better care of this asset, thereby reducing a provider’s risk for property damage.
Polypharmacy and Psychological Distress May Be Associated in African American Adults.

Background: Compared to Whites, African Americans are at a higher risk of multiple chronic conditions, which places them at a higher risk of polypharmacy. Few national studies, however, have tested whether polypharmacy is associated with psychological distress—the net of socioeconomic status, health status, and stress—in African Americans. Aims: In a national sample of African Americans in the US, this study investigated the association between polypharmacy and psychological distress. Methods: The National Survey of American Life (NSAL, 2003) included 3570 African American adults who were 18 years or over. This number was composed of 2299 women and 1271 men. Polypharmacy (using ≥ 5 medications) and hyper-polypharmacy (using ≥ 10 medications) were the independent variables. Psychological distress was the dependent variable. Age, gender, socioeconomic status (education attainment, income, employment, and marital status), health care access (insurance status and usual place of care), and health status (multimorbidity and psychiatric disorders) were the covariates. Linear multivariable regression was applied to perform the data analysis. Results: Both polypharmacy and hyper-polypharmacy were associated with psychological distress. This association was significant after controlling for all the covariates. Conclusions: African Americans with polypharmacy, particularly those with hyper-polypharmacy, are experiencing higher levels of psychological distress, which itself is a known risk factor for poor adherence to medications. There is a need for a comprehensive evaluation of medications as well as screening for psychopathology in African Americans with multiple medical conditions.
Diabetes Alters pH Control in Rat Retina.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ability of the rat retina to control its pH is affected by diabetes. Methods Double-barreled H+-selective microelectrodes were used to measure extracellular [H+] in the dark-adapted retina of intact control and diabetic Long-Evans rats 1 to 6 months after intraperitoneal injection of vehicle or streptozotocin, respectively. Two manipulations-increasing of blood glucose and intravenous injection of the carbonic anhydrase blocker dorzolamide (DZM)-were used to examine their effects on retinal pH regulation. Results An increase of retinal acidity was correlated with the diabetes-related increase in blood glucose, but only between 1 and 3 months of diabetes, not earlier or later. Adding intravenous glucose had no noticeable effect on the retinal acidity of control animals. In contrast, similar injections of glucose in diabetic rats significantly increased the acidity of the retina. Again, the largest increase of retinal acidity due to artificially elevated blood glucose was observed at 1 to 3 months of diabetes. Suppression of carbonic anhydrase by DZM dramatically increased the retinal acidity in both control and diabetic retinas to a similar degree. However, in controls, the strongest effect of DZM was recorded within 10 minutes after the injection, but in diabetics, the effect tended to increase with time and after 2 hours could be two to three times larger than at the beginning. Conclusions During development of diabetes in rats, the control over retinal pH is partly compromised so that conditions that perturb retinal pH lead to larger and/or more sustained changes than in control animals.
Patient-reported Outcomes Following Surgical Intervention for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study design This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. Objective This study aims to perform a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis of patient-reported outcome measures after spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Summary of background data Radiographic correction of scoliosis is extensively reported in the literature but there is a need to study the impact of spinal fusion on patient-reported outcome measures. Prior reviews lacked homogeneity in outcome measures, did not perform quantitative meta-analysis of pooled effect size, or interpret the results in light of minimally clinically important difference thresholds. Materials and methods A systematic review of medical databases identified all studies that prospectively reported Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 questionnaire data after spinal fusion for AIS. We screened 2314 studies for eligibility. Studies were included that reported preoperative and postoperative data at 24- or >60-month follow-up. Studies were excluded that failed to report means and SDs which were needed to calculate Cohen d effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals in estimating the magnitude and precision of the effect. Results A total of 7 studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion in quantitative meta-analysis of effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Patients report large improvements in total score, self-image, and satisfaction; and moderate improvements in pain, function and mental health at 2 and 5 years after spinal fusion for AIS. All domains showed statistically significant improvement at all times except function at >60 months. All domains surpassed the minimally clinically important difference at all times except mental health. Conclusions Moderate evidence suggests that spinal fusion improves quality of life for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis in medium and long-term follow-up. Our results may help inform patient expectations regarding surgery. Ocemb level of evidence Level I-systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.
Six-packed antibodies punch better.

In this issue of the Journal, Oostindie et al . investigate CD37-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) engineered to undergo hexamerization.[1][1] Efficient hexamer formation is induced by a single amino acid substitution, E430G, in the IgG1 constant domain previously described by the same group.[2][