cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the pH effects on the formation of methylated thio-arsenicals, and the effects of pH and temperature on their stability

Thio-arsenicals have been discovered in both food and biological samples. During analysis, the potential exists for interconversion between the oxide and sulfide forms, raising questions regarding analytical factors which may influence the observed speciation. Within this context, the conversion of trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) to their respective sulfide forms, in the presence of sulfide (Na2S) was investigated with respect to pH. All three arsenic oxides produced very little conversion to the corresponding sulfide above pH 8 while conversion to the sulfide form was observed at every pH ≤ 7. Less than 10% of the initial TMAO remained at every pH below eight, with the sulfide form trimethylarsine sulfide (TMAS) accounting for more than 90%. Likewise, the mono- and di-thiolated forms of DMA (dimethylthioarsinic acid (DMTA) and dimethyldithioarsinic acid (DMDTA) respectively) formed over the pH range 5–7, leaving less than 8% of the initial DMA in solution. In the pH range 5–7, MMA was converted to monomethylthioarsonic acid (MMTA), with more than half of the MMA converted to an unidentified peak. This peak is thought to be monomethyldithioarsonic acid (MMDTA) but a positive identification was not possible due to lack of a synthetic standard. The primary species detected at pH 3 were the mono-thiolated forms MMTA and DMTA. Given the range of extraction and separation procedures (specifically pH and temperatures) associated with speciation analysis, the stability of TMAS, DMTA and MMTA under such conditions is another area of concern. Room temperature sulfide to oxide conversion rates from 0.3% to 2.2% per week were observed in basic (pH 10), neutral (pH 7) and acidic (pH 3) solutions, demonstrating very little pH-induced instability for all three thio-arsenicals. Elevated temperature accelerated the sulfide to oxide conversion rates to ∼10% per week for all three thio-arsenicals, while refrigeration retarded it to <0.4% per week.
Prostatorectal fistula 14 years following brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

A 60-year-old white man was referred to us for evaluation of a unilobar induration noted on prostate examination in 1985. A transrectal prostate biopsy revealed well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Repeat histopathological examination 14 years later by a uropathologist assigned a Gleason 313. Serum acid phosphatase was 0.3 units per l. (normal less than 0.8) and radioimmunoassay was 1.4 ng./ml. (normal less than 3.9). Bone scan was negative for malignancy. Assigned clinical stage was B2 (cT2b). The patient underwent brachytherapy with 26.5 mCi. 125 I via open retropubic insertion. Lymph node histopathology was negative. Convalescence was uneventful. At 5-year followup prostate specific antigen (PSA) biochemical failure occurred, and at 11-year followup bone scan was positive. The patient was treated with combined androgen deprivation, which resulted in an undetectable PSA. Combined androgen deprivation was discontinued 14 months later as part of an intermittent androgen deprivation regimen. The patient returned 3 months later with gross blood per rectum, and an ulcer of the anterior rectal mucosa near the prostate was palpated. PSA remained less than 0.1 ng./ml. Biopsy revealed changes consistent with radiation. Watery diarrhea, hematuria and fecaluria developed 2 years later. Cystoscopic examination revealed a prostatorectal fistula, and the patient underwent diversion with a suprapubic tube. Reconstruction was contraindicated due to multiple medical problems, including severe atherosclerotic vascular disease and diabetes. DISCUSSION
Chronology of polyphase extension in the Windermere Hills, northeast Nevada

Fission-track and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating and chemical correlation of volcanic strata exposed in the Windermere Hills and northern Pequop Mountains, northeast Nevada, indicate a protracted, polyphase history of Tertiary (late Eocene‐late Miocene) extension along the northern margin of a major Cordilleran metamorphic core complex. Early extension is recorded by a west-tilted half graben filled with early Oligocene (34.79 ± 0.18‐39.18 ± 0.12 Ma) sedimentary rocks in the eastern Windermere Hills above the lowangle Black Mountain detachment fault. The early Oligocene half graben conformably overlies a widespread suite of late Eocene (39.18 ± 0.12‐ 40.38 ± 0.06 Ma) calc-alkaline volcanic rocks, reflecting a temporal link between early extension at a high structural level and the end of the ignimbrite flare-up. These strata are cut by east-west‐striking normal faults, which are exposed along, and parallel to, the northern margin of the metamorphic complex. Available age data (e.g., between 14.93 ± 0.08 and 34.79 ± 0.18 Ma) permit the interpretation that the east-west‐ striking faults formed at the same time as, or after, large-magnitude unroofing of highgrade rocks. We interpret the east-west‐ striking faults to accommodate differential uplift of greenschist-grade metamorphic rocks in the upper crust, above a lateral ramp in a west-northwest‐directed mylonitic shear zone. Subsequent extension in the Windermere Hills is defined by deep, rapidly filled half grabens of middle Miocene (<7.42 ± 2.0 to 14.93 ± 0.08 Ma) age that unconformably overlie older faults and synextensional deposits. These are the youngest half grabens in the region and are inferred to be initiated by extensional stresses imparted to the base of the lithosphere by a laterally spreading mantle plume (e.g., the Yellowstone hotspot) located in southeastern Oregon at this time.
Separation, Motivation, and Depression: Neonatal Isolation Reduces Food-Rewarded Operant Responding in Rats

One symptom of depression is loss of motivation, which can be defined as responsiveness to response-eliciting stimuli and quantified as reward-related behavioral output. Long-term changes in reward-related behavior have been shown to follow early life stress. Most rodent studies investigating the effects of postnatal separation, an early stress, on reward-related behavior have used drug rewards and few have used natural rewards. Given that separation has been implicated in depression in humans, who may experience impaired motivation without drug experience, it is important to understand how separation affects motivation for natural reward. We hypothesized that neonatal isolation would slow the acquisition of and reduce levels of food-rewarded operant responding, a measure of motivation, in rats. Eight male Long-Evans rats were individually isolated from dams and littermates for 1 hr on postnatal days 2 through 9 while the dam stayed with remaining pups. Seven male siblings were handled to the same extent but without the isolation. When tested as adults on a lever pressing task under fixed and progressive ratio schedules of food reward, isolated rats acquired the operant response significantly more slowly than handled siblings and showed significantly lower levels of responding under all schedules. These results indicate that early separation causes a reduction in motivation, which may be one mechanism of human depression.
Prevalence of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children With Refractory Aerodigestive Symptoms

Importance Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly important diagnosis for children; it has a remarkable impact on their quality of life and can present with aerodigestive symptoms commonly evaluated by otolaryngologists. Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of EoE in children presenting to a pediatric aerodigestive clinic, to describe their presentation, and to review the role of subsequent food allergy evaluation and treatment. Design Review of a prospective database. Setting Tertiary pediatric multispecialty aerodigestive center. Patients Children with aerodigestive symptoms refractory to medical treatment who underwent direct laryngoscopy with rigid or flexible bronchoscopy and esophagoscopy with or without pH probe study. Main Outcomes and Measures Diagnosis of EoE. Results Between 2003 and 2012, 376 of 1540 children seen in the center (mean [range] age, 4.54 [0-18.6] years; male to female ratio, 1.72:1) remained symptomatic despite medical therapy and thus underwent triple endoscopic evaluation. Of the 376 children, 14 (3.7%) were eventually diagnosed as having EoE, as defined by 15 or more eosinophils per high-power field on esophageal biopsy and either a negative pH study result or nonresponse to a trial of high-dose proton pump inhibitors. The subpopulation with EoE presented with airway symptoms and diagnoses, most commonly cough (n = 6; 42.9%). Inflammatory subglottic stenosis due to EoE was identified in 1 patient. Of the 14 children with EoE, 6 presented with gastrointestinal symptomatology, most commonly choking or gagging. Subsequent treatment including food allergy challenge and elimination diet resulted in a clinical improvement in half of the cases identified. Conclusions and Relevance This represents the largest multispecialty clinic epidemiologic study evaluating the prevalence of EoE in children presenting not strictly with gastrointestinal symptoms but rather with aerodigestive symptoms that are frequently evaluated by pediatric otolaryngologists. Although the prevalence is low, EoE should be considered for children with appropriate symptoms in whom other medical therapies fail.
A method for determining concentrations of retinol, tocopherol, and five carotenoids in human plasma and tissue samples

To explore the relation between plasma and tissue concentrations of seven fat-soluble micronutrients (retinol, alpha-tocopherol, lutein, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene), we developed methods for clarifying plasma and tissue samples and quantitating these seven analytes simultaneously by using HPLC with ultraviolet detection. Clarification of tissue samples was performed by using enzymatic digestion followed by mechanical homogenization; saponification was avoided and tocopherol nicotinate was used as an internal standard. Precision and sensitivity for small samples of plasma and solid tissues were determined. Accuracy for plasma samples was assessed by comparing results obtained by using this method with those obtained by using older, standardized methods. Results from application of this method to patient samples of plasma and various tissues are presented. This method will be of interest to investigators seeking to quantitate these seven micronutrients in solid tissue samples, but desiring to avoid the usual saponification step required in most other reported techniques.
The impact of birth weight on cardiovascular disease risk in the Women's Health Initiative.

Abstract Background and aims Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional risk factors predict 75–80% of an individual's risk of incident CVD. However, the role of early life experiences in future disease risk is gaining attention. The Barker hypothesis proposes fetal origins of adult disease, with consistent evidence demonstrating the deleterious consequences of birth weight outside the normal range. In this study, we investigate the role of birth weight in CVD risk prediction. Methods and results The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) represents a large national cohort of post-menopausal women with 63,815 participants included in this analysis. Univariable proportional hazards regression analyses evaluated the association of 4 self-reported birth weight categories against 3 CVD outcome definitions, which included indicators of coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization, carotid artery disease and peripheral arterial disease. The role of birth weight was also evaluated for prediction of CVD events in the presence of traditional risk factors using 3 existing CVD risk prediction equations: one body mass index (BMI)-based and two laboratory-based models. Low birth weight (LBW) ( Conclusion LBW (
The Annual Performance Review As A Positive Source For Employee Motivation

Few places in management literature offer a greater divide between theory and practice than in the Annual Performance Review. Yes, academics have thoroughly researched what the ideal review should look like, yet these authors would argue, as educators and consultants, that we know little on how to really develop and effectively conduct a performance review that serves as a positive source for employee motivation. The purpose of this paper is to call for relevance—a challenge to move from theory to actual practice. Eighty-one practicing managers representing some 23 companies were asked to both assess their ongoing annual assessment and to evaluate a new model of assessment introduced in the present paper. The findings suggest that in the first decade of the 21 st century, considerable skepticism remains over almost any model used in the performance review, and this includes skepticism concerning the newly introduced model. The paper concludes with the following three implications of the present study: 1. The harsh realities of the new workplace bring new challenges to employee appraisals. 2. The strength of the employee-supervisor relationship is far more important than the ‘correct’ assessment method. 3. Any effective motivating performance review must be conducted in a positive work environment marked by the application of best practices.
Network on chip based hardware accelerators for Computational Biology

The focus of this thesis is the design and performance evaluation of Network on Chip (NoC) based multi-core hardware accelerators for computational biology. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction are the two problems in this domain which have been addressed here. The basic characteristic of sequence analysis is that it is data intensive in nature whereas the kernel operation in phylogenetic reconstruction is compute intensive. Due to exponentially growing sequence databases, computing sequence alignment at a large-scale is becoming expensive. An effective approach to speed up this operation is to integrate a very high number of processing elements in a single chip so that the massive scales of fine-grain parallelism inherent in this application can be exploited efficiently. Network-on-Chip (NoC) is a very efficient method to achieve such large scale integration. The phylogenetic reconstruction application involves solving the breakpoint median problem which reduces to solving multiple instances of the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). Specifically, we (i) propose optimized NoC architectures for different sequence alignment algorithms that were originally designed for distributed memory parallel computers, (ii) a custom NoC architecture for solving the breakpoint phylogeny problem (iii) provide a thorough comparative evaluation of their respective performance and energy dissipation. While accelerators using other hardware architectures such as FPGA, General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and the Cell Broadband Engine (CBE) have been previously designed for biocomputing applications, the NoC paradigm enables integration of a much larger number of processing elements on a single chip and also offers a higher degree of flexibility in placing them along the die to suit the underlying algorithm. The results show that our NoC-based implementations can provide above 102-10 3-fold speedup over other existing solutions. This is significant because it will drastically reduce the time required to perform the millions of alignment operations that are typical in large-scale bioinformatics projects.
Stability of traffic flow networks with a polytree topology

We consider global stability of a flow network model for vehicular traffic. Standard approaches which rely on monotonicity of flow networks for stability analysis do not immediately apply to traffic networks with diverging junctions. In this paper, we show that the network model nonetheless exhibits a mixed monotonicity property. Mixed monotonicity allows us to prove global asymptotic stability by embedding the system in a larger system that is monotone.
The immediate postcoital test.

A series of 47 immediate postcoital tests were performed at the fertile period on ovulatory women with normal cervices to determine the time and process of penetration of the cervical mucus by the spermatozoa. Virtually immediate penetration of the spermatozoa into the cervical canal was observed. The conclusions of the tests would indicate that 2 hypotheses for explaining the rapid penetration into the cervical mucus are untenable: 1) direct insemination into the cervical canal and 2) sucking in of semen of the cervix. It is believed that the penetration of the spermatozoa into the cervical mucus and canal is a phenomenon for which only the motion of the sperm is responsible. The movement of the cervical mucus during intercourse ejaculation and for a brief period after ejaculation may facilitate contact between sperm and mucus and account for the rapidity (90 seconds to 3 minutes) of sperm penetration.
The Profit-Maximizing Firm as Exporter

This technical note provides a microeconomic framework of monopolistic competition to think about firms, and in particular, exporting firms. At the same time, the note discusses some of the stylized facts from the recent empirical literature that uses firm-level data.
Septo-Optic Dysplasia in a Newborn Presenting with Bilateral Dilated and Fixed Pupils.

Introduction We describe a newborn female infant with septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) presenting with bilateral dilated and fixed pupils. Conclusion Our report is unique because the incidental finding of bilateral dilated and fixed pupils on the newborn exam was the only clinical finding which led to a prompt work-up and eventual diagnosis of SOD.
Linking cortical network synchrony and excitability

Theoretical approaches based on dynamical systems theory can provide useful frameworks to guide experiments and analysis techniques when investigating cortical network activity. The notion of phase transitions between qualitatively different kinds of network dynamics has been such a framework inspiring novel approaches to neurophysiological data analysis over the recent years. One particular intriguing hypothesis has been that cortical networks reside in the vicinity of a phase transition. Although the final verdict on this hypothesis is still out, trying to understand cortex dynamics from this viewpoint has recently led to interesting insights on cortical network function with relevance for clinical practice.
Wide-field Imaging of Pathology Slides using Lensfree On-chip Microscopy

Three-dimensional lensfree imaging of pathology slides over a large field-of-view is achieved using multi-height phase recovery that incorporates transport-of-intensity equation and rotational field transformations to overcome stagnation in iterative image reconstruction.
Comparative Sensitivities of Radioimmunoassay, Crossoverelectrophoresis, and Agar Gel Immunodiffusion for HBAg Detection

The relative sensitivities of radioimmunoassay, crossoverelectrophoresis, and agar gel immunodiffusion for detecting HBAg in unconcentrated versus concentrated serum samples are compared and discussed. The sensitivities of the various immunologic methods were enhanced severalfold in concentrated serum samples. This is a fundamental consideration in designing a screening program for detecting HBAg and anti-HBAg antibody in hospital patients and donors. The authors propose that serum samples that have marginal reactions or low counts (RIA) be concentrated with Lyphogel or MiniconTM-125 concentrator and retested before test results are reported. Specificity of positive results was studied by neutralization tests with human serum containing antibodies to HBAg.
GENERATION DEPTHS FROM WATER WAVE DATA

It is shown that by determining wave group back tracks for recorded data it is possible to determine whether the waves were generated in deep, intermediate, or shallow water depths. The general movement of a storm can be tracked if a storm moves through water of intermediate depths. For the examples shown reasonable results were obtained by approximating the geometric group velocity by the conventional group velocity.
Simulation, Design, Fabrication, and Testing of a MEMS Resettable Circuit Breaker

We describe a novel concept for a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resettable circuit breaker. The concept involves fabricating the circuit breaker and the reset switch using a single microcantilever. The MEMS resettable circuit breaker consists of a microcantilever that is pulled toward the bottom electrode by electrostatic actuation. The MEMS cantilever also has a thermal heater, and when a current passes through the heater, it overcomes the electrostatic actuation force thereby disconnecting the circuit. A detailed finite element analysis using thermal-electric-structural multiphysics phenomena was studied. Electrostatic-structural coupled-field analysis shows the circuit breaker switch has a pull-in voltage of about 31 V for a singlecrystal Si cantilever with a thickness of 2 μm, a length of 1000 μm, and a width of 500 μm. Thermal-electric coupledfield analysis shows the switch maximum temperature is 80.5 °C at a 50-mA current flow. Thermal-electric-structural sequential analysis shows the cantilever tip has a maximum upward displacement of 0.3 μm, which is just enough to open the switch. The impact of the initial film stress in the SiO 2 insulation layer was also simulated, and the results show that the film stress has a significant impact on the initial cantilever position after release. Fabrication of the chips was done using two wafers, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer, and a double-side polished silicon wafer. The SOI wafer device silicon layer was selected as cantilever material. Platinum was selected as heater material and chrome-gold was selected for bonding, trace, and electrostatic electrodes. Electrical testing results confirmed the proposed and simulated operation principle of the MEMS resettable circuit breaker. The results showed that the switch achieved good contact at an electrostatic switch-ON voltage of about 55 V. The measured circuit breaker current threshold is in the range of 45-55 mA.
Synthesis and photophysics of dibenz[a,c]phenazine derivatives.

The synthesis of dipolar dibenz[a,c]phenazine (DBP) derivatives is described. The compounds possess little electronic communication between donor and acceptor units in the ground state regardless of the pattern of substitution. The dipolar derivatives deactivate mostly via electron transfer (eT) under polar conditions. Intersystem crossing is likely to compete for S1 relaxation.
Neonatal hyperoxia increases airway reactivity and inflammation in adult mice

Summary Background Supplemental O2 to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants, is a major risk factor producing alteration in lung function, airway reactivity, and predisposition to respiratory infections. This study explores inflammatory and airway responses following neonatal hyperoxia in adult mice. Methods Newborn mouse litters were randomized to 85% O2 or room air (RA) on P3 for 12 days; mice were sacrificed either on P15 or at 15 weeks following recovery in RA. Airway hyper reactivity (AHR) was assessed in vivo (8 and 12 weeks) and in vitro (15 weeks) with methacholine; Lung and BAL were assayed for inflammatory mediators, cell counts, CD3 immunohistochemistry, and histopathology. Results Hyperoxic mice had increased airway reactivity at baseline and following methacholine challenge in vivo (8 and 12 weeks); isolated tracheal rings had a significantly higher constriction response to methacholine in vitro compared to RA group. Inflammatory markers were higher at 2 weeks (MCP-1, IL-12, INF-γ) and at 15 weeks (LTB4, VEGF); Lipoxin-A4 was lower in the hyperoxia group at both time points. Increased airway smooth muscle thickness and angiogenesis in the lung was seen at 15 weeks. Hyperoxic lungs exhibited alveolar simplification at 2 and 15 weeks. Absolute lymphocyte count was higher in lavage fluid with an increased CD3 cell count at 15 weeks suggesting persistent inflammation in adult mice following neonatal hyperoxia. Conclusions Exposure to hyperoxia in newborn mice increases long-term airway reactivity with persistent lung inflammation associated with a marked increase in lymphocytes, suggesting long-term consequences in adults. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis on clinical symptoms and diagnostic rate in female reproductive tract tuberculosis

Objective:To explore the clinical features of the female reproductive tract tuberculosis and to provide the basis for its diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The clinical data of 1 119 female patients from 2002 to 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Among 1 119 cases,144 cases were diagnosed as tuberculosis(12.9%).The TB diagnosis rate was significantly higher in infertility cases(74/479,15.4%) and pelvic mass/ascites/abdominal pain cases(57/450,12.7%) than in amenorrhea/menstrual disorders cases(11/163,6.7%) and fatigue/fever cases(2/27,7.4%).The TB diagnosis rate was higher in cases with primary infertility(59/264,22.3%) than in cases with secondary infertility(15/215,7.0%).The TB diagnosis rate was higher in cases with ascites(33/62,53.2%) than in cases with pelvic masses(19/236,8.1%) and cases with abdominal pain.The TB diagnosis rates of non-physiological amenorrhea cases(8/85,9.4%),dysmenorrhea cases(12/325,3.7%) and menstrual disorder cases(3/78,3.8%) had no significant difference.Conclusion:Female infertility,abdominal pain,ascites and pelvic mass,especially primary infertility and ascites,highly suggest TB infection.
Alpha and theta band dynamics related to sentential constraint and word expectancy.

Funding This work was supported by the NIH under Grant number AG026308 to K.D.F.; and by a James S. McDonnell Foundation Scholar Award to K.D.F.
Understanding school burnout: Does self-control matter?

Abstract Three studies examined school burnout and self-control. Study 1 investigated their association in two independent undergraduate samples (N = 243, N = 126) and documented a consistent, negative relationship between dispositional self-control and school burnout when controlling for affective symptomology. Study 2 (N = 428) examined whether dispositional self-control moderated the relationship between school burnout and important academic outcomes (grade point average, absenteeism). A school burnout by dispositional self-control interaction emerged such that poorer academic outcomes occurred at higher levels of school burnout when levels of self-control were lower. Using an experimental design, Study 3 (N = 477) evaluated the casual relationship between school burnout and state self-control. Individuals induced to experience low rather than high state self-control demonstrated a stronger association between school burnout and arithmetic performance. These findings highlight the critical role of dispositional and state self-control in moderating school burnout. Directions for future research are discussed.
Synthesis of a Phosphino Triple Helical Collagen Mimic

Introduction Collagenase is a triple-helical enzyme belonging to the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family. This family is mechanistically involved in a variety of diseases such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, and tumor cell metastasis. Several laboratories have investigated phosphorus-based mimics for MMPs and found that phosphinate peptide mimics are effective inhibitors of MMPs [1-3]. To better mimic the natural substrate of MMPs, we have prepared phosphinate containing triple helical peptides. An Fmoc protected phosphino Gly-Val dipeptide mimic has been synthesized and incorporated into the triple helical collagen mimic sequence shown below (Fig. 1).
Quaternary Geoscience in Archaeology

The Quaternary is the most recent period of the geologic time scale, spanning roughly the past 2 million years. It is the coolest period of the Cenozoic era and is characterized by dramatic and repeated cycles of global climatic changes, resulting in, among other things, the repeated growth and decay of glaciers worldwide. Of particular interest in archaeology, the Quaternary spans much of human evolution, including the development of the genus Homo, the appearance of fully modern human beings, and the evolution of modern cultures and societies. Quaternary environments and environmental changes provided the backdrop for these processes and for most of human prehistory. Moreover, given the impact of Quaternary climate changes on plant and animal communities, on sea level, on rivers, on lakes, and on all other components of the environment, human prehistory must be inextricably linked to Quaternary environmental changes, although the degree and nature of the linkages are hotly debated (e.g., Bell and Walker, 1992; Feibel, 1997; Potts, 1996; Sikes and Wood, 1996; Vrba et al., 1995). Coping with or even (more recently) distancing ourselves from Quaternary environments and environmental changes is arguably a key aspect of human prehistory and evolution. Archaeology is thus one of the Quaternary sciences and, therefore, understanding the record of the Quaternary and some basic principles of the Quaternary geosciences is an important part of archaeology and geoarchaeology in both research and teaching.
Activity-based implicit authentication for wearable devices: Ph.D. forum abstract

Recent hardware advances have led to the development and consumerization of wearable computing devices ranging from exercise and sleep tracking bracelets, vital signs (e.g. heart rate and blood pressure) monitoring devices to augmented reality glasses. Building on top of these wearable devices, many personalized applications have been developed for providing easy-to-use service and convenient user experience. These new technologies open enormously vast opportunities in sensing user context and health, as well as providing plethora of new services. While enabling a spectrum of new applications, they also introduce unexplored paradigms in security and privacy.
Cognitive Functioning in Aging Women

As the prevalence of dementia triples over the next 40 years, the hope is that new interventions aimed at either delaying the onset or interfering with disease progression will become available. Early identification of individuals who are at greater risk or most likely to benefit from treatment is becoming increasingly important. Here we review the literature on potentially modifiable factors related to the risk for cognitive impairment and dementia with emphasis on the implications these factors may have for women’s health given that women 1) have been largely understudied until recently, 2) have lower mortality rates and outlive men by almost a decade, and 3) bear the majority of dementia burden. We include a discussion on the putative protective role of estrogen against cognitive decline and dementia given that, with increased life expectancy, many women live out a third of their lives beyond the cessation of their ovarian function.
Mapping Connectivity of Network Bursting Neurons

Synchronized neuronal activity is an emergent phenomenon found in many neural systems. In cultured neurons, this phenomenon is known as network bursting and involves the simultaneous firing of hundreds of neurons. Bursting occurs only after the network is sufficiently mature (typically 8-12 days in vitro). Afterwards, bursting activity increases both in intensity and frequency (usually 2-4 bursts per minute). Using a technique developed in our lab, we mapped the connectivity structure of neuronal cultures before and after the onset of network bursting. From the measured connectivity maps, we determined various network properties, such as topology, clustering, and efficiency; and show how these properties correlate with busting onset.
Real-space observation of magnetic excitations and avalanche behavior in artificial quasicrystal lattices

Artificial spin ice lattices have emerged as model systems for studying magnetic frustration in recent years. Most work to date has looked at periodic artificial spin ice lattices. In this paper, we observe frustration effects in quasicrystal artificial spin ice lattices that lack translational symmetry and contain vertices with different numbers of interacting elements. We find that as the lattice state changes following demagnetizing and annealing, specific vertex motifs retain low-energy configurations, which excites other motifs into higher energy configurations. Additionally, we find that unlike the magnetization reversal process for periodic artificial spin ice lattices, which occurs through 1D avalanches, quasicrystal lattices undergo reversal through a dendritic 2D avalanche mechanism.
Performance of 3-D position sensitive CdZnTe detectors for gamma-ray energies above 1 MeV

A 3-dimensional position-sensitive CdZnTe gamma-ray detector employs a pixellated anode (11×11 pixels) and a planar cathode on a 15×15×10 mm3 or 20×20×15 mm3 CdZnTe single crystal. The signals from the 121 pixels and the cathode read out by Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) are used to reconstruct the energy depositions and 3-D coordinates of multiple gamma-ray interactions inside the detector. The best energy resolution of a given detector can be achieved by using the 3-D position sensitivity to correct the signal variations due to charge trapping and material non-uniformity. We have demonstrated excellent energy resolution of better than 1% FWHM at 662 keV in a dozen CdZnTe detectors ranging from 2.25 cm3 to 6 cm3 in size. In this study, the energy resolution of four 6 cm3 3-D position sensitive CdZnTe detectors at gamma-ray energies higher than 1 MeV (up to 2.6 MeV of 228Th) are reported. Various challenges in events calibration/reconstruction at high gamma-ray energies and possible solutions are discussed.
Association of Perivascular Localization of Aquaporin-4 With Cognition and Alzheimer Disease in Aging Brains.

Importance Cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer disease (AD), are common within the aging population, yet the factors that render the aging brain vulnerable to these processes are unknown. Perivascular localization of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) facilitates the clearance of interstitial solutes, including amyloid-β, through the brainwide network of perivascular pathways termed the glymphatic system , which may be compromised in the aging brain. Objectives To determine whether alterations in AQP4 expression or loss of perivascular AQP4 localization are features of the aging human brain and to define their association with AD pathology. Design, Setting, and Participants Expression of AQP4 was analyzed in postmortem frontal cortex of cognitively healthy and histopathologically confirmed individuals with AD by Western blot or immunofluorescence for AQP4, amyloid-β 1-42, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Postmortem tissue and clinical data were provided by the Oregon Health and Science University Layton Aging and Alzheimer Disease Center and Oregon Brain Bank. Postmortem tissue from 79 individuals was evaluated, including cognitively intact “young” individuals aged younger than 60 years (range, 33-57 years), cognitively intact “aged” individuals aged older than 60 years (range, 61-96 years) with no known neurological disease, and individuals older than 60 years (range, 61-105 years) of age with a clinical history of AD confirmed by histopathological evaluation. Forty-eight patient samples (10 young, 20 aged, and 18 with AD) underwent histological analysis. Sixty patient samples underwent Western blot analysis (15 young, 24 aged, and 21 with AD). Main Outcomes and Measures Expression of AQP4 protein, AQP4 immunoreactivity, and perivascular AQP4 localization in the frontal cortex were evaluated. Results Expression of AQP4 was associated with advancing age among all individuals ( R2 = 0.17; P = .003). Perivascular AQP4 localization was significantly associated with AD status independent of age (OR, 11.7 per 10% increase in localization; z = −2.89; P = .004) and was preserved among eldest individuals older than 85 years of age who remained cognitively intact. When controlling for age, loss of perivascular AQP4 localization was associated with increased amyloid-β burden ( R2 = 0.15; P = .003) and increasing Braak stage ( R2 = 0.14; P = .006). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, altered AQP4 expression was associated with aging brains. Loss of perivascular AQP4 localization may be a factor that renders the aging brain vulnerable to the misaggregation of proteins, such as amyloid-β, in neurodegenerative conditions such as AD.
Breeding for specific amino acids.

The demonstration that single-gene substitutions can result in marked increases in the content of the limiting essential amino acids for nutrition of humans or monogastric animals has been made for maize (6,12) and barley (9). It is then naturally a question of the extent of our ability to manipulate the amino acid content of economically important plants. Could one enhance the content of any desired amino acid in any plant tissue? The answer to this question clearly is negative, and the reasons for so concluding are the subject of this chapter. They constitute an essential background for any investigator interested in the improvement of plant protein quality. Understanding the severe restrictions on the system allows a reasonable estimation of the probability of success. The restrictions to which I refer take this form: The primary sequence (the order of amino acids) of a polypeptide chain is specified by the structural gene for that polypeptide in the DNA codescript. Decoding takes place through transcription into an RNA intermediate and translation into a polypeptide chain via ribosome-based protein synthesis. Because the sequence is specified, polypeptide chains synthesized on the same RNA message are identical, barring the occurrence of relatively infrequent mistakes in translation.
Common terms for rare epilepsies: Synonyms, associated terms, and links to structured vocabularies

Identifying individuals with rare epilepsy syndromes in electronic data sources is difficult, in part because of missing codes in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system. Our objectives were the following: (1) to describe the representation of rare epilepsies in other medical vocabularies, to identify gaps; and (2) to compile synonyms and associated terms for rare epilepsies, to facilitate text and natural language processing tools for cohort identification and population-based surveillance. We describe the representation of 33 epilepsies in 3 vocabularies: Orphanet, SNOMED-CT, and UMLS-Metathesaurus. We compiled terms via 2 surveys, correspondence with parent advocates, and review of web resources and standard vocabularies. UMLS-Metathesaurus had entries for all 33 epilepsies, Orphanet 32, and SNOMED-CT 25. The vocabularies had redundancies and missing phenotypes. Emerging epilepsies (SCN2A-, SCN8A-, KCNQ2-, SLC13A5-, and SYNGAP-related epilepsies) were underrepresented. Survey and correspondence respondents included 160 providers, 375 caregivers, and 11 advocacy group leaders. Each epilepsy syndrome had a median of 15 (range 6-28) synonyms. Nineteen had associated terms, with a median of 4 (range 1-41). We conclude that medical vocabularies should fill gaps in representation of rare epilepsies to improve their value for epilepsy research. We encourage epilepsy researchers to use this resource to develop tools to identify individuals with rare epilepsies in electronic data sources.
The unfolding landscape of the congenital myasthenic syndromes

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are heterogeneous disorders in which the safety margin of neuromuscular transmission is impaired by one or more specific mechanisms. Since the advent of next-generation sequencing methods, the discovery of novel CMS targets and phenotypes has proceeded at an accelerated rate. Here, we review the current classification of CMS and describe our findings in five of these targets identified and investigated in our laboratory in the past 5 years. Defects in LRP4 hinder synaptic development and maintenance; the defects in PREPL are predicted to diminish filling of the synaptic vesicle with acetylcholine; and defects in SNAP25, Munc13-1, and synaptotbrevin-1 impede synaptic vesicle exocytosis.
Spatiotemporal Phenomena in Multimode Fibers

New phenomena observed recently in multimode optical fibers will be reviewed, and their relevance to applications will be discussed.
Ubiquitin-mediated processes in erythroid cell maturation.

The terminal differentiation of erythroblasts during erythrocyte maturation entails significant cellular remodeling. In avian cells this is accomplished in part by marked attenuation of nuclear transcription and in mammalian cells by the physical extrusion of the nucleus. Thus lacking the ability to replace all but those proteins required for maintenance of the mature erythrocyte, the normal complement of cellular constituents is subsequently modified by a highly active degradative mechanism(s) to yield a sub-population of proteins stable to such proteolysis. During this time many metabolic pathways are shunted by selective turnover of key enzymes. The enhanced degradation essential to erythroid cell maturation is assumed to involve the same ATP, ubiquitin-dependent multi-enzyme pathway responsible for cytosolic protein turnover within all eukaryotes. The mechanism(s) required to commit erythroblasts to enhanced degradation and to direct the resulting selective degradation of key enzymes provides a tractable model for the less acute regulation observed within nucleated cells. Characterization of the ATP, ubiquitin-dependent pathway in erythroid cells and recent observations in other cells and tissues subject to enhanced degradation in response to various experimental manipulations provides some understanding of the dynamics exhibited by this system during terminal differentiation.
Advocates and Allies: The Succession of a Good Idea or What’s in a Meme? (Dispatch)

In this two-part Dispatch we first trace the evolution of three interdependent terms – advocacy, allyship, and accountability – as a means to highlight their changing roles in driving impactful social justice efforts, then explore how this triad is manifested in a gender equity advocacy program fashioned at a Midwestern United States university, the Advocates and Allies (A&A) initiative. In Part 1, we describe a memetic theory of culture to situate the findings of an Internet term search that reveals a mutable progression of meaning(s) for our threesome. This framework provides grounding for discussion in Part 2 of the wider social milieu reflected in the evolution of A&A. We then offer an outline of central features of the initiative along with reflections from the field, and point out resources for learning more about how the program is being utilized. By surveying the succession of A&A within this culture-as-memetic context we intend to acknowledge what’s been done by others whilst furthering the important and unfinished work of gender equity in academia. We close with interpretations and conclusions.
Twelve-Step Asymmetric Synthesis of (−)-Nodulisporic Acid C

A short, enantioselective synthesis of (−)-nodulisporic acid C is described. The route features two highly diastereoselective polycyclizations en route to the terpenoid core and the indenopyran fragment and a highly convergent assembly of a challenging indole moiety. Application of this chemistry allows for a 12-step synthesis of the target indoloterpenoid from commercially available material.
Contributions of symptomatic osteoarthritis and physical function to incident cardiovascular disease.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with worsening physical function and a high prevalence of comorbid health conditions. In particular, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is higher in individuals with OA than the general population. Limitations in physical function may be one pathway to the development of CVD among individuals with OA. This study evaluated associations of symptomatic knee OA (sxKOA), baseline physical function and worsening of function over time with self-reported incident CVD in a community-based cohort. Our sample consisted of individuals from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project who did not report having CVD at baseline. Variables used to evaluate physical function were the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), time to complete 5 chair stands, and the 8-ft walk. Worsening function for these variables was defined based on previous literature and cutoffs from our sample. Logistic regression analyses examined associations of sxKOA, baseline function and worsening of function over time with self-reported incident CVD, unadjusted and adjusted for relevant demographic and clinical characteristics. Among 1709 participants included in these analyses, the mean age was 59.5 ± 9.5 years, 63.6% were women, 15% had sxKOA, and the follow up time was 5.9 ± 1.2 years. About a third of participants reported worsening HAQ score, about two-fifths had worsened chair stand time, half had worsened walking speed during the 8-ft walk, and 16% self-reported incident CVD. In unadjusted analyses, sxKOA, baseline function, and worsening function were all associated with self-reported incident CVD. In multivariable models including all of these variables, sxKOA was not associated with incident CVD, but worsening function was significantly associated with increased CVD risk, for all three functional measures: HAQ odds ratio (OR) = 2.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.90–3.25), chair stands OR = 1.58 (95% CI 1.20–2.08), 8-ft walk OR = 1.53 (95%CI 1.15–2.04). These associations for worsening function remained in models additionally adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics related to CVD risk. The association between symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease risk was explained by measures of physical function. This highlights the importance of physical activity and other strategies to prevent functional loss among individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
Internal electromagnetic waves, energy trapping, and energy release in simple time-domain simulations of single particle scattering.

Abstract During the decay phase of the interaction of a femto-second Gaussian pulse with a single spherical particle, the presence of quasi-periodic short oscillatory bursts of electromagnetic energy at points in the near field outside the particle have been observed in three-dimensional simulations. Analogous behavior can be very easy produced and understood in simple one-dimensional scattering calculations. In two dimensions the situation immediately becomes more complicated and interesting. Here we discuss results from two-dimensional pseudo-spectral time-domain simulations of scattering from circular, elliptical, and hexagonal particles with the real index of refraction m = 1.3. Our focus is on how energy initially trapped within a particle after interaction with an incident Gaussian pulse is released over time, and we show two kinds of events that can result in “bursts” of energy release from the particles: (i) the coalescence of counter-propagating wave-packet-like electromagnetic field structures that have maximum amplitude near the surface of the particle, and (ii) encounters of individual packets with surface regions of high curvature. The coalescence events in the circular case show the dynamical origin of a two-dimensional form of “photonic nanojet.” The two-dimensional simulations make clear the reason for quasi-periodic intermittent bursts at fixed near-field points outside the particle. Examination of field evolution shows that distinct near-surface internal field maxima, ostensibly the “source” of the emission bursts, are in fact inter-connected by caustic-like internal field structures that extend throughout the particle and have complex time evolution. The revealed intricacy of these connections suggests that understanding the origins of pulsed emissions in three dimensions, even for simple particle geometries, may be quite challenging.