cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Energy-Efficient MAC-Layer Transmission Algorithm Considering Fading Channels for Cluster-Based Sensor Networks

Most of the existing MAC-layer protocols for sensor networks consider the status of wireless channel as time invariant. This assumption leads to reduced energy efficiency due to repeated transmissions particularly in nodes that experience deep channel fading. Multiple factors can be responsible for fading channels including other wireless activity in the surroundings, mobility, and geographic landscape. In this paper, we study the effect of fading channel for intra-cluster data transmission in cluster-based sensor networks that employ TDMA based channel access protocols. We propose an efficient MAC layer algorithm where the cluster head broadcasts a short message at the beginning of each frame. Each node within the cluster will transmit data in its assigned data slot when the detected received power of this broadcast message is above a certain threshold. By restraining a node from transmitting data in its assigned slot when its channel is in deep fading, the packet error rate is reduced and energy efficiency is greatly improved. By choosing the optimal threshold to maximize energy efficiency, our simulation results show that energy efficiency can be improved up to 400% considering the fading status of channel in different test scenarios. The proposed algorithm can be easily extended to contention based MAC protocols.
Will Public Schools Benefit from Urban Redevelopment

"Urban Redevelopment," often seen as a cure-allfor cities, may not remedy the cities' schools.
Beliefs about the risks of guns in the home: analysis of a national survey.

Objectives —While epidemiological evidence suggests homes with guns are more likely to be the site of a suicide or homicide than homes without guns, the public9s perception of these risks remains unknown. This study assesses the prevalence of the belief that homes with guns are safer than homes without guns, and factors associated with this belief. Methods —Telephone interviews were conducted with a random sample of 4138 registered voters in urban areas in the US. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess correlates of beliefs about the safety of keeping a gun in the home. Results —Twenty nine per cent of respondents believed keeping a gun in the home makes the home more safe, 40% said less safe, 23% said it depends, and 9% were unsure. The belief that a home is more safe with a gun was associated with being male, young, completing 12 years or fewer of education, having no children living at home, Republican party affiliation, and low levels of trust in the police for protection. Prior exposure to violence and fear of victimization were not associated with the outcome. Conclusions —Findings may increase understanding about the public9s perception of the risk in keeping guns in the home and assist educational efforts to decrease the risk of these injuries.
Quantum fluctuations of radiation pressure

Quantum fluctuations of electromagnetic radiation pressure are discussed. We use an approach based on the quantum stress tensor to calculate the fluctuations in velocity and position of a mirror subjected to electromagnetic radiation. Our approach reveals that radiation pressure fluctuations in the case of a coherent state are due to a cross term between vacuum and state dependent terms in a stress tensor operator product. Thus observation of these fluctuations would entail experimental confirmation of this cross term. We first analyze the pressure fluctuations on a single, perfectly reflecting mirror, and then study the case of an interferometer. This involves a study of the effects of multiple bounces in one arm, as well as the correlations of the pressure fluctuations between arms of the interferometer. In all cases, our results are consistent with those previously obtained by Caves using different methods. We argue that the agreement between the different methods supports the reality of the cross term and justifies the methods used in its evaluation.
Reliable sensor networks for planet exploration

Wireless sensor networks will play a critical role in space and planet exploration, allowing remote monitoring of non-easily accessible areas in preparation of human or robotic missions. Sensors, however, are fragile and can fail, reporting erroneous measurements, for example. Decisions derived from flawed sensor measurements can adversely impact the correctness of the overall sensor network findings and may jeopardize the success of the mission. Unfortunately, failed sensors in space cannot be easily diagnosed and replaced. To improve the reliability of decisions and minimize the impact of faulty sensor measurements, the preferred approach is to exploit data redundancy. In this paper, we present confidence weighted voting (CWV), a distributed technique that can greatly improve the data reliability and fault tolerance of sensor network applications. We evaluate CWV against traditional approaches (e.g., majority voting (MV) and distance weighted voting (DWV)), in the presence of flawed sensors. The results show that CWV consistently outperforms the other schemes by providing as much as 49% more resiliency.
Arachidonic acid- and prostaglandin E2-induced cerebral vasodilation is mediated by carbon monoxide, independent of reactive oxygen species in piglets

Arachidonic acid (AA) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 stimulate carbon monoxide (CO) production, and AA metabolism is known to be associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study was conducted to address the hypothesis that CO and/or ROS mediate cerebrovascular dilation in newborn pigs. Experiments were performed on anesthetized newborn pigs with closed cranial windows. Different concentrations of AA (10−8-10−6 M), PGE2 (10−8-10−6 M), iloprost (10−8-10−6 M), and their vehicle (artificial cerebrospinal fluid) were given. Piglets with PGE2 and iloprost received indomethacin (5 mg/kg iv) to inhibit cyclooxygenase. AA, PGE2, and iloprost caused concentration-dependent increases in pial arteriolar diameter. The effects of both AA and PGE2 in producing cerebral vascular dilation and associated CO production were blocked by the heme oxygenase inhibitor chromium mesoporphyrin (2 × 10−5 M), but not by the prostacyclin analog, iloprost. ROS inhibitor tempol (SOD mimetic) (1 × 10−5 M) and the H2O2 scavenger catalase (1,000 U/ml) also do not block these vasodilator effects of AA and PGE2. Heme-l-lysinate-induced cerebrovascular dilation and CO production was blocked by chromium mesoporphyrin. Hypoxanthine plus xanthine oxidase, a combination that is known to generate ROS, caused pial arteriolar dilation and CO production that was inhibited by tempol and catalase. These data suggest that AA- and PGE2-induced cerebral vascular dilation is mediated by CO, independent of ROS.
Endophytic fungal entomopathogens with activity against plant pathogens: ecology and evolution

Dual biological control, of both insect pests and plant pathogens, has been reported for the fungal entomopathogens, Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and Lecanicillium spp. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales). However, the primary mechanisms of plant disease suppression are different for these fungi. Beauveria spp. produce an array of bioactive metabolites, and have been reported to limit growth of fungal plant pathogens in vitro. In plant assays, B. bassiana has been reported to reduce diseases caused by soilborne plant pathogens, such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. Evidence has accumulated that B. bassiana can endophytically colonize a wide array of plant species, both monocots and dicots. B. bassiana also induced systemic resistance when endophytically colonized cotton seedlings were challenged with a bacterial plant pathogen on foliage. Species of Lecanicillium are known to reduce disease caused by powdery mildew as well as various rust fungi. Endophytic colonization has been reported for Lecanicillium spp., and it has been suggested that induced systemic resistance may be active against powdery mildew. However, mycoparasitism is the primary mechanism employed by Lecanicillium spp. against plant pathogens. Comparisons of Beauveria and Lecanicillium are made with Trichoderma, a fungus used for biological control of plant pathogens and insects. For T. harzianum Rifai (Ascomycota: Hypocreales), it has been shown that some fungal traits that are important for insect pathogenicity are also involved in biocontrol of phytopathogens.
Losing jobs and lighting up: Employment experiences and smoking in the Great Recession.

Abstract The Great Recession produced the highest rates of unemployment observed in decades, in part due to particularly high rates of people losing work involuntarily. The impact of these job losses on health is unknown, due to the length of time required for most disease development, concerns about reverse causation, and limited data that covers this time period. We examine associations between job loss, employment status and smoking, the leading preventable cause of death, among 13,571 individuals participating in the 2001–2011 waves of the U.S.-based Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Results indicate that recent involuntary job loss is associated with an average 1.1 percentage point increase in smoking probability. This risk is strongest when people have returned to work, and appears reversed when they leave the labor market altogether. Although some job loss is associated with changes in household income and psychological distress levels, we find no evidence that these changes explain smoking behavior modifications. Smoking prevention programs and policies targeted at displaced workers or the newly employed may alleviate some negative health effects produced by joblessness during the Great Recession.
Environmental Change: Federal Courts and the EPA

Figures and Tables Preface Abbreviations 1. Setting the Stage 2. In Search of Clean Water 3. Controlling Pesticides 4. Regulating Toxic Substances 5. In Search of Clean Air 6. Diffusing Hazardous Wastes 7. Out of the Sample and Into the Universe Abbreviations for Notes and Bibliography Notes Bibliography General Index Index of Cases
Free surface propulsion by electrowetting-assisted ‘Cheerios effect’

This paper presents how “Cheerios effect” is combined with EWOD (electrowetting on dielectric) in order to propel floating objects. Cheerios effect is a common phenomenon in which small floating objects are either attracted or repelled by the sidewall. This behavior is known to be highly dependent on the hydrophobicity of the walls. By electrically controlling the hydrophobicity (contact angle) of the sidewalls in the canal and thus distorting the adjacent interfaces, cheerios effect can be electrically controlled to manipulate floating objects. This work first verifies EWOD-assisted cheerios effect on propulsion. Using this effect, a linear propulsion of millimeter-sized floating objects in a canal is achieved. By sequentially applying a voltage to the arrayed EWOD electrodes on the sidewalls and by carefully controlling the time interval between electrode switching, floating objects can be propelled continuously along the mini canals. In addition, the similar propulsion is achieved in an even smaller canal whose dimension is comparable to the capillary length. Finally, circular rotation of floating objects is realized by arranging EWOD electrodes along a circular path and applying electrical signal sequentially.
Female and male differences in AIDS diagnosis rates among people who inject drugs in large U.S. metro areas from 1993 to 2007.

Abstract Purpose We estimated female and male incident AIDS diagnosis rates (IARs) among people who inject drugs (PWID) in U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) over time to assess whether declines in IARs varied by sex after combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) dissemination. Methods We compared IARs and 95% confidence intervals for female and male PWID in 95 of the most populous MSAs. To stabilize estimates, we aggregated data across three-year periods, selecting a period immediately preceding cART (1993–1995) and the most recent after the introduction of cART for which data were available (2005–2007). We assessed disparities by comparing IAR 95% confidence intervals for overlap, female-to-male risk ratios, and disparity change scores. Results IARs declined an average of 58% for female PWID and 67% for male PWID between the pre-cART and cART periods. Among female PWID, IARs were significantly lower in the later period relative to the pre-cART period in 48% of MSAs. Among male PWID, IARs were significantly lower over time in 86% of MSAs. Conclusions IARs among female PWID in large U.S. MSAs have declined more slowly than among male PWID. This suggests a need for increased targeting of prevention and treatment programs and for research on MSA level conditions that may drive differences in declining AIDS rates among female and male PWID.
The "crowding effect" in tapeworm infections.

size of the worms is, roughly speaking, inversely proportional to the number of worms in the given infection. This has been called the "crowding effect." Woodland (1924), Shorb (1933), and Hunninen (1935) demonstrated this phenomenon in rats and mice infected with Hymenolepis nana. Chandler (1939) and Hager (1941) reported this effect in studies on Hymenolepis diminuta. Reid (1942) obtained similar results with Raillietina cesticillus. Reid's data may be somewhat more accurate from a quantitative standpoint since he used weight as a measure of size, whereas previous workers relied on linear measurements as criteria. Wardle and Green (1941), studying the rate of growth of Diphyllobothrium latum, used the weight-length ratio as an index of average cross sectional area. This seems to be a valid approach to problems of this type. In connection with other studies on the metabolism of Hymenolepis diminuta the writer has gathered considerable data on the mean wet weights of worms from infections varying in size from one to one hundred worms. In selecting data for study particular care was taken to be certain that the worms were of similar age (38 to 44 days after infection) and that the host rats were males of similar size (190 to 208 grams). The wet weights of 1694 worms were available for consideration after imposing the restrictions indicated above.
Noninvasive Detection of Complement Activation Through Radiologic Imaging

A wealth of experimental and clinical data demonstrates that the complement system is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory diseases. Complement activation contributes to injury in disorders that involve nearly every tissue in the body. Concerted effort has been expended in recent years to develop therapeutic complement inhibitors. Eculizumab, an inhibitory antibody to C5, was recently approved for the treatment of several diseases, and many other complement inhibitors are in clinical development. As these drugs are developed, the need for improved methods of detecting and monitoring complement activation within particular tissues will be increasingly important. We have developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based method for noninvasive detection of complement activation. This method utilizes iron-oxide nanoparticles that are targeted to sites of complement activation with a recombinant protein that contains the C3d-binding region of complement receptor (CR) 2. Iron-oxide nanoparticles darken (negatively enhance) images obtained by T2-weighted MRI. We have demonstrated that the CR2-targeted nanoparticles bind within the kidneys of mice with lupus-like kidney disease (MRL/lpr mice), causing a decrease in the T2 signal within the kidneys. This method discriminates diseased kidneys from healthy controls, and the magnitude of the negative enhancement in the cortex of MRL/lpr mice correlates with their disease severity. This method may be useful for idenepsying those patients most likely to benefit from complement inhibitors and for monitoring the response of these patients to treatment. These results may open up new avenues to develop tools for the monitoring of disease progression in complement-dependent diseases.
Taxonomy of Janetiella thymi (Kieffer) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and of the Species Formerly in Janetiella that Feed on Vitis (Vitaceae)

The poorly known European species Janetiella thymi (Kieffer), type species of Janetiella Kieffer (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is redescribed. Gall makers on grape that were formerly placed in Janetiella are shown to be distinct from that genus and transferred to Vitisiella Fedotova & Kovalev, a genus recently erected for a species on grape in Siberia. Among the distinguishing traits of Vitisiella, more fully characterized here than previously, are the closed costal vein at its juncture with R5, the deeply divided male hypoproct, and the conspicuous dorsolateral sclerites of the ovipositor. Janetiella brevicauda Felt, also redescribed, and Cecidomyia oenephila Haimhoffen, both previously placed in Janetiella, are newly combined with Vitisiella.
Use of esmolol after failure of standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation to treat patients with refractory ventricular fibrillation

a b s t r a c t Introduction: We compare the outcomes for patients who received esmolol to those who did not receive esmolol during refractory ventricular fibrillation (RVF) in the emergency department (ED). Methods: A retrospective investigation in an urban academic ED of patients between January 2011 and January 2014 of patients with out-of-hospital or ED cardiac arrest (CA) with an initial rhythm of ventri- cular fibrillation (VF) or ventricular tachycardia (VT) who received at least three defibrillation attempts, 300 mg of amiodarone, and 3 mg of adrenaline, and who remained in CA upon ED arrival. Patients who received esmolol during CA were compared to those who did not. Results: 90 patients had CA with an initial rhythm of VF or VT; 65 patients were excluded, leaving 25 for analysis. Six patients received esmolol during cardiac arrest, and nineteen did not. All patients had ventricular dysrhythmias refractory to many defibrillation attempts, including defibrillation after admin- istration of standard ACLS medications. Most received high doses of adrenaline, amiodarone, and sodium bicarbonate. Comparing the patients that received esmolol to those that did not: 67% and 42% had tem- porary return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC); 67% and 32% had sustained ROSC; 66% and 32% survived to intensive care unit admission; 50% and 16% survived to hospital discharge; and 50% and 11% survived to discharge with a favorable neurologic outcome, respectively. Conclusion: Beta-blockade should be considered in patients with RVF in the ED prior to cessation of resuscitative efforts.
Analyzing Multiple Dimensions of Web-based Courses: The Development and Piloting of a Coding System

This study undertook the development and piloting of a coding system for the evaluation of asynchronous Web-based instruction and learning. Processes were guided by four prominent educational perspectives and the extended examination of, and survey data from, seventeen archived Web-based courses. These served as the bases for the development and application of the coding system. Data from the pilot application of the coding system indicate that there are particular features of courses favored by learners. Features such as content richness, instructor's constructive and probing questions and responses, amount and quality of learner participation in discussions, and links to students' own experiences are integral to those courses learners deem supportive of their learning and achievement.
Amines as Extractants

Both study and use of extractions with high molecular weight amines (including quaternary ammoniums) in organic solution are increasing extensively. While equilibria were measured in extraction of an increasing range of acids and metal ions, a difficulty remains unresolved in that the amine concentiation power- dependence of extraction often indicates a different complex stoichiometry than do limiting loading and other considerations. Nevertheless, amine extraction serves as a useful tool in studying aqueous complex systems. Process applications progressed especially in nitrate and chloride systems, in addition to the sulfate systems first emphasized. Systematic surveys together with information accruing from process development extended the ranges of extractions that can be correlated in usefully generalized patterns, which in turn should accelerate the development of new applications. However, many more areas remain to be surveyed before the many pertinent variables are covered. New amines of all classes have become available at commercial, development, researchsample levels, while a few previously promising amines. have become less available. Descriptions and current sources are reviewed. (auth)
QuickFOIL: scalable inductive logic programming

Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) is a classic machine learning technique that learns first-order rules from relational-structured data. However, to-date most ILP systems can only be applied to small datasets (tens of thousands of examples). A long-standing challenge in the field is to scale ILP methods to larger data sets. This paper presents a method called QuickFOIL that addresses this limitation. QuickFOIL employs a new scoring function and a novel pruning strategy that enables the algorithm to find high-quality rules. QuickFOIL can also be implemented as an in-RDBMS algorithm. Such an implementation presents a host of query processing and optimization challenges that we address in this paper. Our empirical evaluation shows that QuickFOIL can scale to large datasets consisting of hundreds of millions tuples, and is often more than order of magnitude more efficient than other existing approaches.
Student Debt in American Medicine: I Am Not a Loan!

For most students, medical training began as a labor of love. The further I advance, however, the more keenly aware I become of the financial “hole” from which I will eventually need to extract myself. When I pause to survey my progress, I realize I am 32 years old, with an additional year of
BINDING OF A CYTOPATHIC OR AN INVASIVE STRAIN OF P. AERUGINOSA TO CYTOSKELETAL, BASEMENT MEMBRANE, OR MATRIX PROTEINS OF WOUNDED CORNEA IS SIMILAR AND DOES NOT RELY ON INTERACTION WITH ACTIN FILAMENTS

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a typically opportunistic bacterium. Although it is widely distributed in human biology and produces numerous virulence-associated factors, P. aeruginosa does not infect human tissues unless the normal host defense mechanisms have been impaired. The bacteria does not exhibit tissue specificity, shown by many human pathogens; it infects tissues of diverse origins but only ones that have been damaged in some way. Why the affinity for damaged tissues by this organism remains unanswered. In this regard, several studies have examined P. aeruginosa adherence to unmasked extracellular matrix (ECM) following tissue damage in both human1,2 and experimental3 systems. Tissue damage may result in exposure of the basement membrane, which consists mainly of collagen (Type IV) and glycoproteins such as fibronectin (FN), laminin (LN), and heparan sulfate proteoglycan. P. aeruginosa has been shown to bind to soluble FN, but not to polymerized cellular or plasma FN,4 and to laminin.5 But simply being able to adhere or even being able to enter a host cell is not sufficient, and pathogenicity usually exhibits a multifactoral phenotype.6 Pili are the major adhesin by which P. aeruginosa interacts with mammalian host tissue,7 but studies have shown that pilusdeficient mutants of P. aeruginosa bind to respiratory mucus8 and to corneal epithelium9 as well as to other non-epithelial cell types.10 Binding to laminin, for example, may involve a noo-pilus adhesion from the bacterial outer membrane.5 It also has been shown that bacterial elastase and alkaline protease cleave soluble laminin,11 providing for tissue invasion and hemorrhagic tissue necrosis, as well as exposure of lipase-sensitive receptors, allowing enhanced bacterial bingiding to the corneal epithelium.12
Regional wall motion and strain analysis across stages of Fontan reconstruction by magnetic resonance tagging

To determine whether systolic regional wall deformation and motion, which may be used as an index of mechanical function, change with surgical intervention in patients with a functional single ventricle, a noninvasive magnetic resonance tagging technique was used to examine 33 such patients at all stages of Fontan reconstruction. The systolic motion of the intersection points was tracked to determine regional twist and radial shortening. Finite strain analysis was applied to the grid lines, and principal E1 strains were derived. The results were as follows. 1) Fontan and prebidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis (hemiFontan) groups had the highest compressive strains, and regional heterogeneity of strain was least in the Fontan group. 2) Fontan patients had endocardial/epicardial strain different from the other surgical subgroups as well as the normal left ventricle, while the pre- and post-hemiFontan groups had basal/apical short-axis strain different from Fontan patients and normal subjects. 3) Functional single left ventricles had a different strain distribution across wall regions and surgical subgroup from functional single right ventricles. 4) Contrary to the normal human adult studied by the same method, which twists uniformly counterclockwise, 31 of 33 single ventricles, regardless of ventricular morphology or surgical subgroup, twisted counterclockwise in one region, clockwise in another, and met at a "transition zone" of no twist, which had the highest strains of all regions. 5) Radial contraction was greatest in the superior walls and least at the inferior walls of single-ventricle patients regardless of morphology. In the Fontan group, the inferior walls moved paradoxically. In conclusion, markedly different strain characteristics are noted at each stage of Fontan reconstruction, across various wall regions, and between ventricular morphological groups. Differences in regional wall motion were demonstrated in functional single ventricles throughout Fontan reconstruction regardless of morphology, and differences in associated strains and radial contraction were noted across various wall regions and surgical subgroups. These may play an important role in the energetics of the heart and the long-term viability of the single ventricle.
Egg Weight Loss and Nest Humidity during Incubation in Two Alaskan Gulls

Although weight loss of eggs during natural incubation has long been recognized, little is known about the mechanism by which water vapor is conveyed from the eggs to the atmosphere surrounding the nest. It has been suggested that this occurs in two steps: (1) molecular diffusion from the egg across the gas-filled pores of the shell to the microclimate of the nest, (2) convection from the microclimate of the nest to the ambient environment (Rahn et al. 1976, 1977). To evaluate these processes, one must not only measure the flux of water from the egg but also estimate or measure the vapor pressure of water in the egg, the nest and the ambient atmosphere. We attempted this in the Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) and the Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens) when they were nesting on Gull Island, Kachemak Bay near Homer, Alaska, during June 1974. In this study we have determined the rate of water loss from the egg during natural incubation, the egg temperature, the water vapor conductance and physical dimensions of the egg, and calculated the water vapor pressure of the egg, the microclimate of the nest and the nest ventilation.
Cast-brace treatment for fractures of the distal part of the femur. A prospective controlled study of one hundred and fifty patients.

1. A total-contact, lower-extremity plaster device incorporating brace-joints at the knee has been described for the early ambulatory care of healing fractures in the distal part of the femur. 2. Prospective study of consecutive cases has demonstrated no non-unions or refractures in 150 patients treated with traction followed by early mobilization in a cast-brace and a mean healing time of 14.5 weeks. In a similar but smaller group of fractures treated in the traditional manner by preliminary traction and then immobilized in a spica cast, there were three non-unions, and three refractures occurred after longer periods of immobilization. 3. The factor considered most important for rapid and efficient fracture healing is an environment of function for the healing fracture. Ambulatory function is possible with an unfixed healing fracture of the distal part of the femur when appropriate total-contact support to the limb is provided.
Stimulation of fibrinogen synthesis: a possible functional role of fibrinogen degradation products

Fibrinogen production, measured by the rate of incorporation of 75Se-selenomethionine into newly synthesized circulating fibrinogen, was determined in rabbits administered urokinase and ancrod to generate degradation products of fibrinogen or fibrin in vivo. Fibrinogen degradation products appeared in elevated titers in metabolically normal animals after receiving infusions of urokinase. Fibrinogen production was increased fourfold to fivefold, while the basal synthesis of nonclottable proteins was unaffected. In rabbits rendered afibrinogenemic by intravenous ancrod, 2 U/kg, fibrinogen production was not accelerated unless 150 mg of homologous fibrinogen were infused slowly into the afibrinogenemic animals at the time of peak generation of degradation products. This technique produced a threefold increase in fibrinogen synthesis. When partial defibrinogenation was accomplished with ancrod, 0.75 U/kg over 1 hr, elevated titers of degradation products were detected and, subsequently, fibrinogen synthesis was enhanced twofold. These data suggest that ancrod at 2 U/kg may convert fibrinogen to fibrin so rapidly that only fibrin degradation products are formed. These probably do not influence fibrinogen synthesis; however, if fibrinogen is available as a substrate for the activated plasminogen-plasmin system, fibrinogen degradation products may be generated and subsequently may mediate the stimulation of fibrinogen synthesis.
Multifaceted Roles of the Viral Cyclin in Gammaherpesvirus Pathogenesis

The gammaherpesviruses (γHVs) are lymphotropic herpesviruses, associated with lymphoproliferation and a range of tumors. Given these properties, intense efforts have focused on understanding pro-proliferative γHV gene products. Many γHVs encode a functional cyclin D homolog, referred to as the viral cyclin. Studies on the γHV viral cyclins (vCyclins) have provided new insights into viral subversion of cell cycle machinery, with vCyclins characterized by expanded activity and reduced susceptibility to host inhibitory mechanisms. Studies from both human and mouse γHVs have shown that the vCyclins have critical roles in promoting chronic γHV infection, including promoting reactivation from latency and promoting tumorigenesis in various immunodeficient hosts. This review emphasizes major themes uncovered through the study of the vCyclins across the γHVs.
Abstract 1101: The role of miR-601 in prostate cancer progression

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer among men worldwide. In order to advance treatment options for these men, it is crucial to understand the molecular underpinning behind this cancer. Previously, our group identified miR-601 as a predictive biomarker in PCa. Few studies to date have functionally validated molecular biomarkers and currently nothing is known about the function of miR-601 in PCa. Based on our previous publication, we hypothesized that miR-601 is playing a role in PCa progression. In order to assess this, in vitro experiments were conducted in three PCa cell lines, DU-145, PC-3, and LNCaP. miR-601 was over-expressed and knocked down in each cell line and assays were performed evaluating cell proliferation, colony formation, and apoptosis. Additionally, to provide more information regarding miR-601-associated pathways, we identified putative gene targets of miR-601 using in silico prediction programs, microrna.org and TargetScan.org and evaluated top gene targets in vitro. The results of our experiments indicate that miR-601 is playing a role of a tumor suppressor. Over-expression of miR-601 in cell lines resulted in a significant reduction in cell viability. This was confirmed both by MTS as well as colony formation assays. We looked into the mechanism behind the reduction in cell viability and found that cells over-expressing miR-601 had reduced levels of full-length caspase-3, signifying that these cells are undergoing apoptosis. Two putative gene targets of miR-601 were identified and investigated in vitro, SIRT1, a histone deacetylase known to be both an oncogene and tumor suppressor, and BCL2L2, an anti-apoptotic gene known to be an oncogene. SIRT1 and BCL2L2 had strong scores on both online prediction programs as likely targets of miR-601. Our in vitro results confirmed this. We saw reduced mRNA and protein expression of these targets in cells over-expressing miR-601. Our data thus far suggest that miR-601 is acting as a tumor suppressor in PCa. Targeted therapies for miR-601 and/or its targets may be promising in the treatment of PCa, however additional work is needed to warrant this. This work was supported by R01CA108633 (To AC), 1RC2CA148190 (To AC) U10CA180850-01 (To AC), 1R01CA169368 (To AC) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Brain Tumor Funders Collaborative Grant (To AC), Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Award (To AC). Citation Format: Jessica L. Fleming, Erica Hlavin Bell, Kathryn Andrews, Arnab Chakravarti. The role of miR-601 in prostate cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1101.
A Breastfeeding Quality Improvement Project in Rural Primary Care

Background:Breastfeeding is the gold standard nutrition for infants, and more than three-fourths of US mother–infant couplets initiate breastfeeding at birth. However, breastfeeding rates plummet after hospital discharge, when mother–infant couplets enter primary care. This quality improvement project examined the effect of a primary care intervention on breastfeeding rates from the newborn visit through the 4-month visit.Objective:The overall aim of this evidence-based quality improvement project was to increase breastfeeding rates by refining the care provided to a diverse patient population with historically low breastfeeding rates.Methods:Two independent groups of mother–infant couplets, a pre-implementation (N = 43) and a post-implementation (N = 45), were longitudinally evaluated on breastfeeding rates at the newborn, 1-month, 2-month, and 4-month well-child visits for exclusive, partial, and any breastfeeding rates. Relationships for the 2 groups were compared using 2-sample t tests, chi-square, an...
USE OF MASTERS AND MAGISTRATES IN COMPLEX LITIGATION

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the use of masters and magistrates in complex litigation. Masters and magistrates can be used separately, or in combination to act as case managers, facilitators, mediators, or fact-finders. if a judge has confidence in an individual's ability to handle complex litigation, reference of a case to a master, or magistrate may be warranted. This reference could involve specific pretrial tasks, or overall pretrial supervision. Masters and magistrates have been used to hold hearings concerning privilege, determine the applicability of protective orders, decide the confidentiality of certain documents, and handle jurisdictional, and venue problems. They have also been responsible for handling individual depositions, discovery in foreign countries, interrogatory problems, or specific stipulation procedures. Other pretrial tasks performed by magistrates, or masters include settlement negotiations, accountings, hearings on a broad range of subjects, recommendations concerning class action certification, allocation of damages, and findings on a large range of factual and legal issues.
Blending skin endpoint titration and in vitro methods in clinical practice.

The definitive diagnosis of allergy involves proving the presence of allergen-specific IgE. This has traditionally been accomplished by skin testing, the most precise method being skin endpoint titration. In vitro diagnostic methods offer advantages over skin tests and have become increasingly popular with both patients and physicians. A knowledge of skin testing techniques and interpretation of results is necessary for the physician using in vitro test methods and allows moving back and forth between the two modalities in the preparation of antigen treatment sets and adjustment of immunotherapy dosage.
Spatial Network Big Databases: An Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of Spatial Network Big Database Systems, including concepts related to data modeling, query processing, and storage methods. We begin with a brief description of SNBDS and present the computational challenges.
Optimal Control of a Class of Discrete Event Systems

Abstract We formulate and solve a new optimal control problem for a class of discrete event systems. We assume that the system can be modeled as a finite acyclic directed graph, i.e.. it has a finite set of event trajectories. The optimal control problem explictly considers the cost of control in the objective function. In general terms, this problem involves a tradeoff between the cost of system evolution, which is quantified in terms of a path cost on the event trajectories generated by the system, and the cost of impacting on the external environment, which is quantified as a dynamic cost on control. An algorithm based on dynamic programming is developed for the solution of this problem. T his algorithm is based on a graph-theoretic formulation of the problem. The use of dynamic programming allows for the efficient construction of an “optimal subgraph” (i.e., optimal supervisor) of the given graph (i.e., discrete event system) with respect to the cost structure imposed.
Velvet Revolutions: An Oral History of Czech Society. By Miroslav Vaněk and Pavel Mücke

Velvet Revolutions is the first book of oral history interpretation in English by the groundbreaking research team of Miroslav Vaněk and Pavel Mucke at the Oral History Center of the Institute for ...
Vertical Funds: New Forms of Multilateralism

The United Nations and other multilateral organizations have always been prominent in the health field. UN agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), however, have come increasingly under the influence of major individual donors which provide earmarked funding. Since 2000, two major vertical funds in the health field – the Global Fund and the GAVI Alliance – provide new models of multilateralism and their funding patterns, together with those of WHO, are examined in some detail. We review the extent to which the two new funds and WHO conform to traditional definitions of multilateralism by reference to several test areas: degrees of concentration of funding sources; the influence of individual funders; sustainability; and transparency. We also draw lessons from the analysis for the UN development organizations.
Comparison of Residual Stress Characterization Techniques Using an Interference Fit Sample

Residual stress in an engineering component induced from processing is pervasive and can impact the component’s performance significantly. There are numerous destructive and non-destructive techniques that are available to determine the residual stresses in a component. In this work, an interference fit sample was manufactured from a titanium alloy. The sample was equipped with a set of strain gauges to measure the strains induced by the interference process used for sample assembly. Energy dispersive diffraction experiment using synchrotron radiation was conducted to measure the lattice strains in the interference fit sample. Hole drilling measurements were also conducted on the sample. The non-destructive X-ray result is compared with strain gauge measurements, and found to be in good agreement when appropriately averaged.
EVIDENCE FOR AN OLFACTORY SEARCH IMAGE OR REPRESENTATION IN THE EEG OF CONDITIONED CATS AND RABBITS

Publisher Summary Physiologists share beliefs that the processes of sensory reception carried out by physical mechanisms in the peripheral nervous system are subject to electrochemical observation and that likewise the processes of sensory perception performed by physical mechanisms in the brain are in principle subject to-the same kind of experimental analysis. At present, the understanding about the neural mechanisms of reception is well advanced; however, little is known about those of perception and the study is still largely in the hands of cognitive psychologists. This chapter focuses on the consideration of the neural bases for the study of perceptual mechanisms, with emphasis on three essential aspects: behavioral control and analysis; mathematical description of the neural dynamics underlying perception; and the anatomical study of the structures that perform these integrative and interactive operations.
Examination of the role of obesity in the association between childhood trauma and inflammation during pregnancy.

Objective Childhood trauma is associated with negative perinatal health outcomes including mood disorders and shorter gestation. However, effects of early life exposures on maternal biology are poorly delineated. This study examined associations between childhood trauma and inflammation, as well as the mediating role of obesity in this relationship. Method This study examined a racially diverse sample of 77 pregnant women assessed in early, mid, and late pregnancy. Assessments included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, serum CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α, and prepregnancy BMI. Results Per linear mixed models, while no direct relationships were observed between childhood trauma with IL-6 or TNF-α, physical (95% CI: 0.007, 0.080) and emotional (95% CI: 0.005, 0.046) abuse as well as emotional neglect (95% CI: 0.010, 0.051) predicted elevated CRP. Effects remained after adjustment for race, income, education, smoking status, medical conditions, and depressive symptoms. PROCESS analyses showed BMI mediated the relationship between physical abuse and both serum CRP (95% CI: 0.014, 0.062) and IL-6 (95% CI: 0.009, 0.034). Conclusions Exposure to childhood trauma, particularly emotional abuse, physical abuse, and emotional neglect, is associated with inflammation in pregnant women. Obesity served as 1 pathway by which physical abuse contributed to elevations in serum CRP and IL-6. Interventions targeting maternal obesity prior to pregnancy may help mitigate the effects of childhood trauma on perinatal health. These findings have relevance for understanding biological and behavioral pathways by which early life exposures contribute to maternal health. (PsycINFO Database Record
Impact of Timing of Adjuvant Chemoradiation for Glioblastoma in a Large Hospital Database

Background Although the standard of care for glioblastoma remains maximal safe resection followed by chemoradiation, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the importance of the time interval between these 2 treatments. Objective To assess whether differences in the duration between surgery and initiation of chemoradiation for glioblastoma had an impact on overall survival (OS) in a large hospital-based database. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried to identify patients diagnosed with glioblastoma between 2010 and 2012 treated with surgery followed by chemoradiation. Patients who received biopsy only were excluded. The time from surgery to initiation of radiation therapy was divided into 4 equal quartiles of ≤24, 25 to 30, 31 to 37, and >37 d. Patient characteristics were compared between groups using Pearson Chi Square and Fisher's Exact test. OS was analyzed via the Kaplan-Meier method and compared via the log-rank test. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were performed to assess for impact of covariables on OS. Results A total of 11 652 patients were included in the analysis. Median duration from surgery to radiation was 30 d. On multivariable regression, black race, larger tumor, gross-total resection, methyguanine-methyl transferase (MGMT+), and treatment at an academic facility were associated with a duration >30 d. On multivariable analysis, there were no significant differences when comparing start within 24 d to 25 to 30 d (hazard ratio [HR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90-1.01, P = .13) or > 37 d (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91-1.03, P = .26), although a small OS improvement was seen if initiated within 31 to 37 d (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.99, P = .02). Conclusion There was no clear association between duration from surgery to initiation of chemoradiation on OS.
What's hot, what's new: Report from the American Transplant Congress 2017

Significant advances in clinical practice as well as basic and translational science were presented at the American Transplant Congress this year. Topics included innovative clinical trials to recent advances in our basic understanding of the scientific underpinnings of transplant immunology. Key areas of interest included the following: clinical trials utilizing hepatitis C virus-positive (HCV+ ) donors for HCV- recipients, the impact of the new allocation policies, normothermic perfusion, novel treatments for desensitization, attempts at precision medicine, advances in xenotransplantation, the role of mitochondria and exosomes in rejection, nanomedicine, and the impact of the microbiota on transplant outcomes. This review highlights some of the most interesting and noteworthy presentations from the meeting.
The Mechanism of Subunit Interaction as a Key to the Understanding of Ribosome Function

The most intriguing feature of the ribosome is its highly asymmetrical construction of two unequal subunits that, in the case of prokaryotic organisms, are described by their 30 S and 50 S sedimentation values. Although the pioneering work of Tissieres and Watson [1] established that Mg2+ ions were essential to maintain the associated state and hinted at the existence of a dynamic equilibrium, a rather static view of ribosome structure dominated the thinking for nearly a decade. Perhaps consonant with the prevailing mores of the time, it was taken for granted that the union between the two subunits was a marriage for life. This vision seemed to satisfy an inner need, for how else could it be explained that the scientists would suppress their natural curiosity and refrain from a closer scrutiny of the relationship between the subunits ? However, the less reverent and more open climate of the sexual revolution and women’s lib was not going to bypass the ribosome, and soon representatives of the younger generation [2] boldly proclaimed that ribosomes not engaged in protein synthesis normally existed as free subunits that would enter a temporary union only for the purpose of creating a new polypeptide chain. Although this radical view subsequently turned out to be untenable, by removing an old taboo it led to fresh experiments and marked the beginning of a more dynamic view of the ribosome.