cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complete integrable particle methods and the recurrence of initial states for a nonlinear shallow-water wave equation

We propose an algorithm for an asymptotic model of shallow-water wave dynamics in a periodic domain. The algorithm is based on the Hamiltonian structure of the equation and corresponds to a completely integrable particle lattice. In particular, "periodic particles" are introduced in the algorithm for waves travelling through the domain. Each periodic particle in this method travels along a characteristic curve of the shallow-water wave model, determined by solving a system of nonlinear integro-differential equations. We introduce a fast summation algorithm to reduce the computational cost from O ( N 2 ) to O ( N ) , where N is the number of particles. With the aim of providing a test of the algorithms, we scale the shallow-water wave equation to make it asymptotically equivalent to the KdV equation in the form studied by Zabusky and Kruskal in their seminal 1965 paper, thereby also testing the equivalence of the two models derived under similar asymptotic approximations of shallow-water wave dynamics. By using the fast summation algorithm and the asymptotic scaling analysis, we further test this equivalence by investigating the interaction of solitons and recurrence of initial states for the shallow-water wave equation in periodic domains. Finally, to illustrate the hyperbolic nature of the dynamics of the shallow-water wave model, we introduce a particle algorithm and its integral counterpart for the initial-boundary value problem with homogeneous boundary conditions on finite intervals.
Sex Determination of Adult Black Terns by DNA and Morphometrics: Tests of Sample Size, Temporal Stability and Geographic Specificity in the Classification Accuracy of Discriminant Function Models

Abstract We used DNA markers to determine the sexes of 449 breeding adult Black Terns (Chlidonias niger) captured and measured in southeastern Wisconsin from 2000 to 2005. Various morphometric discriminant functions were then generated to classify the sexes of these birds. Other objectives were to examine the effect of sample size on the predictive ability of discriminant function analysis (DFA), to evaluate the temporal stability in the accuracy of DFA for a specific population, and to test the geographic specificity of DFA by comparing separate breeding colonies in southeastern Wisconsin and also by applying a discriminant function, derived from an Oregon population, to terns in Wisconsin. The best discriminant function included head-plus-bill length and body mass, and correctly classified 81% of the birds in the complete sample. Within-pair comparisons increased the classification accuracy to 87%, because males usually were larger than their mates with respect to head-plus-bill length. Sample-size anal...
The Middle Style/Late Style Dialectic: Problematizing Adorno’s Theory of Beethoven

In this essay, I aim both to elucidate and to problematize Adorno’s reading of Beethoven’s middle and late styles as essentially dichotomous. Specifically, Adorno holds that the middle-style works express the utter interdependency of the subjective and objective spheres in their emphasis upon organic wholeness and totality. By contrast, the late-style works express the alienation of subject from object in isolating and laying bare musical conventions. Yet middle Beethoven, as Adorno himself intimates, often calls organic unity into question, especially with respect to the recapitulation and coda in a sonata-form piece. Moreover, although Adorno does not seem to acknowledge it, the middle style exhibits fragmentation both in partitioning the sonata principle into subprinciples and, more concretely, in partitioning a theme into various subcomponents. Conversely, using Schenkerian techniques, one can expose sub-thematic unity underlying foreground fragmentation in the late works (as demonstrated by Daniel Chua and Kevin Korsyn). Drawing on Schenker’s reading, I use Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in A, op. 101 as a case study. In the second half of the essay I confront the political connotations of Adorno’s argument, again problematizing particular stylistic binarisms with respect to issues of freedom, solidarity, and hope.
A Bayesian framework for modeling confidence in perceptual decision making

The degree of confidence in one's choice or decision is a critical aspect of perceptual decision making. Attempts to quantify a decision maker's confidence by measuring accuracy in a task have yielded limited success because confidence and accuracy are typically not equal. In this paper, we introduce a Bayesian framework to model confidence in perceptual decision making. We show that this model, based on partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs), is able to predict confidence of a decision maker based only on the data available to the experimenter. We test our model on two experiments on confidence-based decision making involving the well-known random dots motion discrimination task. In both experiments, we show that our model's predictions closely match experimental data. Additionally, our model is also consistent with other phenomena such as the hard-easy effect in perceptual decision making.
SIMULATIONS OF EVOLUTIONARY RADIATIONS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO UNDERSTANDING THE PROBABILITY OF A CAMBRIAN EXPLOSION

A molecular survey of animal phylogeny (Wray et al., 1996) recovered the presumed correct temporal order of the phylogenetic splits Protostomata-Deuterostomata, Echinodermata-Chordata, and Agnatha-Gnathostomata in studies of six of seven gene sequences. This result raised the question of how this order could be recovered if all of the phyla had appeared in a Cambrian “explosion” of less than 10 m.y., given the expected erratic nature of the molecular “clock.” We simulated trees, and molecular sequence evolution along the trees, under different evolutionary radiation scenarios, with different periods of radiation, relative to times of subsequent evolution. Simulations and phylogenetic analyses of sequences derived from a simulated “Cambrian explosion” of 10–35 million years did not allow the successful recovery of the correct tree, using neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood, or parsimony methods. Success in recovering phylogenies under a Cambrian divergence scenario (520 million years ago) did not exceed 80 percent without an extended divergence time interval of at least 100 m.y. An increased substitution rate during the initial radiation improved the ability to recover correct phylogenies, especially when the rate was 8–10 times the rate following the radiation. Our results militate against the likelihood of an Early Cambrian or slightly longer explosion of the animal phyla, as apparently supported by the fossil record. Some limitations to these conclusions are discussed.
Epigenetic Modulation by Vidaza™ induces Apoptosis and Overcomes In Vitro Drug Resistance in Human Multiple Myeloma Cells.

Methylation of DNA is an epigenetic modification that plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression in mammalian cells. Although DNA methylation is required for normal cell development and function, aberrant methylation and the resulting aberrant expression of genes, such as tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, contribute to the development of malignancies. Interestingly, aberrant DNA methylation has recently emerged as one of the most frequent molecular alterations in hematologic malignancies, providing a powerful rationale to use inhibitors of DNA methylation as a novel means of targeting hematologic malignancies. Vidaza™ [Pharmion Corporation] (5-azacytidine), an FDA approved drug for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes, is an inhibitor of DNA methylation. Multiple myeloma (MM) is currently an incurable hematological malignancy despite all the conventional and novel therapies, and we here examined the biological effects using Vidaza™ on human MM cells. We demonstrate here that Vidaza™ has significant cytotoxicity in both conventional therapy sensitive (MM1S, RPMI-8226) and resistant (MM1R, RPMI-Dox40, RPMI-LR5) MM cell lines, as well as freshly isolated patient MM tumor cells, with an IC50 of 1.25–4 mM at 72 hours in vitro . Importantly, no cytotoxic effects of Vidaza™ were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) obtained from healthy volunteers at ≤20 mM, suggesting a therapeutic index. Moreover, Vidaza™ overcame the survival and growth advantages conferred by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), or by adherence of MM cells to bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). Vidaza™ induced apoptosis in MM cells, as determined by flow cytometric analysis using PI and Annexin V staining. Vidaza™-induced apoptosis was associated with PARP, caspase 8 and caspase 9 cleavage. Importantly, pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk, significantly, but only partially, inhibited apoptosis induced by Vidaza™, suggesting the involvement of both caspase dependent and independent pathways. Taken together, our studies therefore demonstrate that Vidaza™ induces apoptosis and overcomes in vitro drug resistance in MM cells. Ongoing studies are delineating the mechanism of action of Vidaza™ against MM cells to further provide the preclinical rationale for clinical evaluation of Vidaza™, alone or in combination with other agents, to improve patient outcome in MM.
Spatial Alignment of Rotational and Static Tilt Responses of Vestibulospinal Neurons in the Cat

The responses of vestibulospinal neurons to 0.5-Hz, whole-body rotations in three-dimensional space and static tilts of whole-body position were studied in decerebrate and alert cats. The neurons’ ...
1008 Opportunity Costs in Paediatrics: the Specialist Registrar Experience

Background and Aims Recently, the pursuit of a career in Paediatrics has gradually suffered a decline. This observation prompted an evaluation of Specialist Paediatric Registrars’ (SPR) perceptions of their training programme and its impact on them. Methods Utilising an online questionnaire, all trainees in 2011 were surveyed through the RCPI database. Data sought included demographics, perceptions of career progression, work effectiveness, social impact of hospital-based training and potential career costs in paediatrics. Likert scoring (cuing at 1 not at all, cuing at 6 extremely), binary questions (scored as yes, no or unsure) and narrative options were used. Results Fifty-three (71%) responses were obtained, with representation from each year of training. The mean Likert score was 3.8 for career progression, 4.6 for functional efficiency at work and 3.3 for attainment of a work-life balance. The value of log-books and end-of-year assessments showed positive skewing (Likert 5/6) in 8(15%) and 7(13%) respectively. Narrative responses indicated the most challenging aspect of training was time for academic pursuits 28(53%). Other concerns included relocation for 8(15%) and career uncertainty for 7(13%). SPRs cited exercise for 29(43.4%) and discussion for 19 (35.8%) as coping strategies. Thirty nine (73.6%) SPR’s incurred personal costs in training with compromised family cited by half. Mean Likert score for cost acceptability was 2.8 and perceived preparedness for consultancy, post-training, scored 3.7. Conclusion SPRs feel there is a need for change within their scheme and that paediatric training incurs significant opportunity costs, with ultimate career uncertainty.
Probing methane hydrate nucleation through the forward flux sampling method.

Understanding the nucleation of hydrate is the key to developing effective strategies for controlling methane hydrate formation. Here we present a computational study of methane hydrate nucleation, by combining the forward flux sampling (FFS) method and the coarse-grained water model mW. To facilitate the application of FFS in studying the formation of methane hydrate, we developed an effective order parameter λ on the basis of the topological analysis of the tetrahedral network. The order parameter capitalizes the signature of hydrate structure, i.e., polyhedral cages, and is capable of efficiently distinguishing hydrate from ice and liquid water while allowing the formation of different hydrate phases, i.e., sI, sII, and amorphous. Integration of the order parameter λ with FFS allows explicitly computing hydrate nucleation rates and obtaining an ensemble of nucleation trajectories under conditions where spontaneous hydrate nucleation becomes too slow to occur in direct simulation. The convergence of the...
Inheritance of Economic Traits in the Regional Cornell Control Population

Abstract KNOWLEDGE of genetic parameters is useful in designing efficient breeding systems. Estimation of genetic parameters raises the problem of suitable material as a source of data. Until recently, genetic parameters in poultry populations have been estimated from data collected from inbred lines or selected populations. Estimates obtained from inbred lines have required correction factors in order to compensate for changes in genetic variance due to inbreeding. In addition, few of these inbred lines were developed without considerable natural and/or artificial selection. Estimates obtained from non-inbred populations under artificial selection have ignored, for the most part, the bias which may result from the use of selected parents in the typical variance components analysis. Correction for the reduction of genetic variance in selected parents by the use of adjustment factors is very difficult or even not feasible with the accuracy one desires. Even when selection is for only one or a few…
A comparison of endoscopic suspension of the vesical neck with suprapubic vesicourethropexy for treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

AbstractTo compare the efficacy of the Stamey endoscopic vesical neck suspension with the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz vesicourethropexy in the correction of stress urinary incontinence, we studied retrospectively 127 consecutive patients who underwent either procedure during a defined interval at our institution. Of 95 women for whom adequate data were available 41 (group 1) underwent the Stamey and 54 (group 2) underwent the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedures. Characteristics of the 2 groups were similar. A cure was obtained 21 to 118 months postoperatively in 61 per cent of the patients in group 1 and in 57 per cent in group 2. Cured and improved rates for the 2 groups were 78 and 80 per cent, respectively. Cure rates decreased with time in both groups. Complications occurred in 37.5 per cent of the patients in group 1 and in 18.5 per cent in group 2. Risk factors implicated in the pathogenesis of primary or recurrent stress urinary incontinence did not predispose to failure in either group. Adequate in...
Fluxless Bonding Process Using Thermo-Compression Micro-Scrub for 61 µm Pitch SnAg Solder 3-D Interconnections

In this research study, we evaluated the use of a micro-scrub bonding process as a potential method to eliminate the use of flux, and its associated cleaning, during flip chip thermo-compression bonding. Additionally, this process requires no plasma pre-treatment to eliminate tin oxide and contaminants from the micro-bump surface. This evaluation used a test vehicle with 20-µm/15-µm thick Cu/SnAg micro-bumps and Ni/Au pads at 61 µm pitch. The top die has more than 170,000 micro-bumps and both the top die and bottom die were larger than 600 mm2. The top die and bottom die were bonded with parameters developed for a micro-scrub bonding process. After each die makes contact with precise alignment, micro-scrub is applied under a specific force, temperature, and atmosphere during the bonding process. The mechanical micro-scrub action breaks up the native tin oxide film and improves the wettability of the solder. X-ray images confirmed there was no solder bump bridging across the full die area. Neither voids nor cracks were observed at the solder joints by SEM cross sectional analysis. CSAM results indicated there were no voids in the underfill.
Anesthetic Neurotoxicity: Is Anesthesia Toxic to the Developing Brain? Should I Cancel My Baby’s Surgery?

A 4-month-old boy with congenital sensorineural hearing loss presents for bilateral cochlear implant placement under general anesthesia. The child was born full term with no problems in the perinatal period. The mother did an Internet search for “anesthesia for children” and was shocked at what she found: Papers that claimed that anesthesia in growing children can impact cognitive development. While she was not familiar with the language of scientific reporting, she was more than proficient to determine that anesthesia in the growing neuroplastic brain could be a danger for her child (Hansen in Pediatr Anesth 25:65–72, 2015). In addition, her child was already falling behind in reaching developmental milestones due to hearing loss. The mother’s concern grew, as her child had multiple anesthetics to evaluate for hearing loss since the child’s first month of life. At the pre-surgical testing clinic, the parents asked the anesthesiologist how exposing their child to another anesthetic could affect his future development.
Reward Sensitivity Enhances Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex Activation during Free Choice.

Expressing one’s preference via choice can be rewarding, particularly when decisions are voluntarily made as opposed to being forced. An open question is whether engaging in choices involving rewards recruits distinct neural systems as a function of sensitivity to reward. Reward sensitivity is a trait partly influenced by the mesolimbic dopamine system, which impacts individuals’ neural and behavioral responses to reward cues. Here, we investigated how reward sensitivity contributes to neural activity associated with free and forced choices. Participants underwent a simple decision-making task, which presented free- or forced-choice trials in the scanner. Each trial presented two cues that were predictive of rewards with different attributes (points or information). Participants could earn points or information by making a choice in each trial to obtain a monetary reward at the end of the experiment. In free-choice trials, participants were offered the opportunity to choose between different reward cues (i.e., points or information), whereas forced-choice trials forced individuals to choose within a given reward cue (i.e., information or information). We found enhanced VLPFC activation during free choice compared to forced choice in individuals with high reward sensitivity scores. Next, using the VLPFC as a seed, we conducted a PPI analysis to identify brain regions that enhance connectivity with the VLPFC during free choice. Our PPI analyses on free vs. forced choice revealed increased VLPFC connectivity with the posterior cingulate and precentral gyrus in reward sensitive individuals. These findings suggest reward sensitivity may recruit attentional control processes during free choice potentially supporting goal-directed behavior and action selection.
Isotopic ecology of coyotes from scat and road kill carcasses: A complementary approach to feeding experiments.

Scat is frequently used to study animal diets because it is easy to find and collect, but one concern is that gross fecal analysis (GFA) techniques exaggerate the importance of small-bodied prey to mammalian mesopredator diets. To capitalize on the benefits of scat, we suggest the analysis of scat carbon and nitrogen isotope values (δ13C and δ15N). This technique offers researchers a non-invasive method to gather short-term dietary information. We conducted three interrelated studies to validate the use of isotopic values from coyote scat: 1) we determined tissue-to-tissue apparent C and N isotope enrichment factors (e13* and e15*) for coyotes from road kill animals (n = 4); 2) we derived diet-to-scat isotope discrimination factors for coyotes; and 3) we used field collected coyote scats (n = 12) to compare estimates of coyote dietary proportions from stable isotope mixing models with estimates from two GFA techniques. Scat consistently had the lowest δ13C and δ15N values among the tissues sampled. We derived a diet-to-scat Δ13C value of -1.5‰ ± 1.6‰ and Δ15N value of 2.3‰ ± 1.3‰ for coyotes. Coyote scat δ13C and δ15N values adjusted for discrimination consistently plot within the isotopic mixing space created by known dietary items. In comparison with GFA results, we found that mixing model estimates of coyote dietary proportions de-emphasize the importance of small-bodied prey. Coyote scat δ13C and δ15N values therefore offer a relatively quick and non-invasive way to gain accurate dietary information.
Plant biology: An immunity boost combats crop disease.

Plants precisely express some immune regulators by controlling the translation of messenger RNA into protein. This insight enabled a disease-resistant rice to be engineered without compromised productivity. See Letters p.487 & p.491 It is well established that plants elicit immune responses by reprogramming their transcriptional response. Through global translatome analysis, Xinnian Dong and colleagues observe that plants also modify their translational output independently of the changes in the transcriptional output to establish pathogen-triggered immunity. They thus uncover new regulators of plant immune responses and identify the molecular signature of the messenger RNAs that undergo changes in translational efficiency in this context. This knowledge has implications for generating disease-resistant plants, as the authors demonstrate in an accompanying paper published in this issue. In both laboratory and field studies, they show that engineering translational control into Arabidopsis and rice to promote production of immune mediators confers disease resistance without compromising plant fitness. It is well established that plants elicit immune responses by reprogramming their transcriptional response. Controlling this for agricultural purposes without reducing the plant's fitness has been a challenge. Xinnian Dong and colleagues have engineered translational control into Arabidopsis and rice to promote production of immune mediators and show, in laboratory and field studies, that this confers disease resistance without compromising plant fitness. This was achieved using insights from a related paper published in this issue, in which Xinnian Dong and colleagues uncover new regulators of plant immune responses. Through global translatome analysis, they observe that plants modify their translational output independently of the changes in the transcriptional output to establish pathogen-triggered immunity.
Three-wave scattering in magnetized plasmas: from cold fluid to quantized Lagrangian

Large amplitude waves in magnetized plasmas, generated either by external pumps or internal instabilities, can scatter via three-wave interactions. While three-wave scattering is well known in collimated geometry, what happens when waves propagate at angles with one another in magnetized plasmas remains largely unknown, mainly due to the analytical difficulty of this problem. In this paper, we overcome this analytical difficulty and find a convenient formula for three-wave coupling coefficient in cold, uniform, magnetized, and collisionless plasmas in the most general geometry. This is achieved by systematically solving the fluid-Maxwell model to second order using a multiscale perturbative expansion. The general formula for the coupling coefficient becomes transparent when we reformulate it as the scattering matrix element of a quantized Lagrangian. Using the quantized Lagrangian, it is possible to bypass the perturbative solution and directly obtain the nonlinear coupling coefficient from the linear response of the plasma. To illustrate how to evaluate the cold coupling coefficient, we give a set of examples where the participating waves are either quasitransverse or quasilongitudinal. In these examples, we determine the angular dependence of three-wave scattering, and demonstrate that backscattering is not necessarily the strongest scattering channel in magnetized plasmas, in contrast to what happens in unmagnetized plasmas. Our approach gives a more complete picture, beyond the simple collimated geometry, of how injected waves can decay in magnetic confinement devices, as well as how lasers can be scattered in magnetized plasma targets.
An arbitrary-order, fully implicit, hybrid kinetic solver for linear radiative transport using integral deferred correction

Abstract In this work, we describe the implementation of an arbitrarily high-order hybrid solver for linear, kinetic, radiative transport equations. The hybrid method is derived from a splitting of the radiative flux into free-streaming and collisional components to which high- and low-resolution discrete ordinates methods are applied, respectively. Arbitrarily high orders of accuracy with respect to time and space are attained by combining an integral deferred correction (IDC) time integration scheme constructed with implicit Euler substepping on Radau II (right biased) nodes with an upwind discontinuous Galerkin (DG) spatial discretization on uniform Cartesian meshes. Numerical experiments are used to demonstrate that the aforementioned IDC methods can be constructed such that they are unconditionally stable ( L -stable) to within machine precision. Asymptotic analysis is used to show that such IDC methods also preserve the diffusion limit of the underlying transport equation on the semi-discrete level, in the sense that the semi-discrete transport system under an implicit IDC discretization recovers the same IDC discretization of the limiting diffusion equation. Convergence results in one spatial dimension are provided, and it is found that while the hybrid method exhibits convergence stagnation and order reduction in certain scenarios, the overall accuracy of the hybrid approximation is comparable to a standard discrete ordinates approximation in many cases. Numerical results for two test problems in two spatial dimensions are given to compare the computational efficiency of the hybrid method against a standard discrete ordinates method, and to compare the efficiency of space–time discretizations of different orders of accuracy. The results indicate that a properly chosen hybrid discrete ordinates method can be more efficient than a standard discrete ordinates method by a factor of between 2 and 8 when IDC timestepping methods are used. Further, among the first-, third-, and fifth-order space–time discretizations considered here, the first-order method is the least efficient and the third-order method is the most efficient.
High-Level Simulation for Spiking Neuromorphic Computing Systems

Neuromorphic computing systems are alternatives to conventional microprocessors, often built from unconventional hardware. Designing and evaluating these systems requires multiple levels of simulation, from the device level to the circuit level to the system level. In this paper, we describe the system level simulator of a neuromorphic computing system based on memristors. We compare it to a circuit level simulator of the same system, both verifying its accuracy and demonstrating its performance improvement. We argue that system level simulation is an essential part of the design process of neuromorphic systems.
Membrane dynamics and the metastasis of cancer

Although in much cancer research focus has traditionally been on the demonstration of hard and fast differences between normal and malignant cells, this concept is static and limited. From the viewpoint of understanding metastasis, more dynamic concepts are required in which the repertoire of change in cancer cells in response to both local and general changes in the host must be considered.
Case History: F-16 Fuel Vent-Hole Repairs

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the designing and installation of an adhesively bonded boron/epoxy repair to repair fatigue cracks in the vicinity of the F-16 fuel vent hole. This repair is compared with a mechanically fastened alternative. Although both repairs succeed in slowing crack growth and extending the aircraft life, the bonded repair has significant advantages. The F-16 fuel vent hole bonded repairs are considered highly successful since no crack growth or disbonds have been detected since the patches were applied in 1993. Because of the limited life extension obtained using the aluminum patch, a bonded boron/epoxy repair is evaluated and designed. The advantages for the bonded fuel vent-hole repair include lighter patch with lower external moldline profile and more efficient load transfer capability. In addition to their effectiveness in preventing crack growth, the patches are much easier and therefore less costly to install and inspect and much less damaging to the parent structure than mechanically fastened alternates.
On the anomalous composition dependence of viscosity and surface tension in refrigerant blends

Abstract The Polar PC-SAFT equation of state coupled with DGT and excess entropy scaling was applied to predict the phase, interfacial and transport properties of refrigerant blends. Results show the presence of several thermophysical anomalies in systems under consideration. The literature has always linked aneotropic behavior at the interface (extrema in surface tension) to azeotropic behavior (extrema in vapor pressure) at the bulk. However, a minimum in surface tension as a function of composition was predicted in this work for R-32 + R-1234yf zeotropic mixture. The system also exhibits a significant positive excess volume in comparison to other R-32 binary mixtures. The latter phenomena indicate the presence of excessively weak intermolecular interactions between both species. Furthermore, a minimum in viscosity as a function of composition was predicted for R-32 + R-143a binary mixture. This was attributed to the homogenous distribution of charges found in both symmetrical molecules which leads to molecular repulsion and structure breaking. On contrary, a maximum in viscosity as a function of composition was predicted for R-32 + R-125 binary mixture. This was attributed to strong charge-charge interactions between the highly fluorinated R-125 molecule and R-32. The latter promotes structure making as evidenced by the system's negative excess volume. A maximum in the viscosity was also predicted for R-152a + R-1234ze(E) binary mixture. Aggregate formation is promoted in this system due to the strong charge-charge interaction between the unshielded fluorine atom in R-1234ze(E) and the undisturbed methyl group in R-152a.
Blood eosinophil count thresholds and exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background Eosinophilic airway inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with exacerbations and responsivity to steroids, suggesting potential shared mechanisms with eosinophilic asthma. However, there is no consistent blood eosinophil count that has been used to define the increased exacerbation risk. Objective We sought to investigate blood eosinophil counts associated with exacerbation risk in patients with COPD. Methods Blood eosinophil counts and exacerbation risk were analyzed in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD by using 2 independent studies of former and current smokers with longitudinal data. The Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) study was analyzed for discovery (n = 1,553), and the Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints (ECLIPSE) study was analyzed for validation (n = 1,895). A subset of the ECLIPSE study subjects were used to assess the stability of blood eosinophil counts over time. Results COPD exacerbation risk increased with higher eosinophil counts. An eosinophil count threshold of 300 cells/μL or greater showed adjusted incidence rate ratios for exacerbations of 1.32 in the COPDGene study (95% CI, 1.10-1.63). The cutoff of 300 cells/μL or greater was validated for prospective risk of exacerbation in the ECLIPSE study, with adjusted incidence rate ratios of 1.22 (95% CI, 1.06-1.41) using 3-year follow-up data. Stratified analysis confirmed that the increased exacerbation risk associated with an eosinophil count of 300 cells/μL or greater was driven by subjects with a history of frequent exacerbations in both the COPDGene and ECLIPSE studies. Conclusions Patients with moderate-to-severe COPD and blood eosinophil counts of 300 cells/μL or greater had an increased risk exacerbations in the COPDGene study, which was prospectively validated in the ECLIPSE study.
Women, Land and Eco-Justice

This chapter seeks to contribute to the eco-feminist dialogue concerning the still present need for global advances in the status of both women and nature. Beginning with a cross-cultural (East-West) comparative analysis of ancient myth, I propose to revive a dynamic “biophilic” ethics of interconnectedness and eco-justice. An examination of modern relationships between women and land leads us to conclude that our institutions and practices are woefully destructive. This situation is symptomatic of the fundamental oppression inherent to the dominant patriarchal paradigm. Practices imbedded and deeply rooted within societal customs, traditions and attitudes frequently prevent women from equal access to land and deny women the right of being recognized as producers. By reclaiming our ancient goddess myths and indigenous sense of sacredness, we can heal some of the schisms of planetary oppression. Respecting women’s rights to land and their relationships with the earth, and encouraging women’s ownership of land, is a pragmatic, double-pronged step towards changing destructive thinking patterns about women and our planet. Women’s access and title tenure to land is a solution towards empowering women, adjusting ideologies and promoting global and ecological sustainability.
Poly(ionic liquid) augmented membranes for π electron induced separation/fractionation of aromatics

Abstract Novel polyionic liquid augmented membranes were fabricated using pressure assisted self-assembly and employed for π- electron cloud mediated separation of aromatics from their aliphatic homologues, which are otherwise difficult to achieve by conventional size exclusion basedmembrane filtration. The electron withdrawing/electron donating substituents on aromatic ring, which can lead to an overall change in the π cloud density on aromatic ring, can be employed in fractionating such aromatics such as benzene, toluene, p-xylene, nitrobenzene. High π electron could density due to extended conjugation over more than one aromatic ring was also utilized in fractionation of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene. The most interestingly, these PIL augmented membranes were demonstrated to have preferential separation of one stereoisomer over other. The preferential separation of trans-stilbene over cis-stilbene was attributed to stereo-chemical arrangement assisted deviating from planarity of aromatic moieties of the later resulting deterioration of overall extended conjugation and π electron cloud delocalization. These PIL membranes also exhibited the preferential separation of regioisomers of bipyridine. These PIL augmented membranes were found to stable in presence of mainly non-polar organic diluents due to the π- stacking interaction between the aromatic phenylic moieties of the polyimide support and aromatic pyridinium moieties of the poly (ionic liquid) polymers.
Robust Frame Boundary Synchronization for In-Band Full-Duplex OFDM System

This paper presents a robust frame boundary synchronization technique for In-Band Full-Duplex (IBFD) communication systems, that employ Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). First, we describe the system model of a wireless link consisting of a full-duplex (FD) base station, that is receiving a signal from a remote station while transmitting simultaneously on the same frequency. Received signal impairments such as carrier frequency offset (CFO), sampling time offset (STO), channel response and channel delay are modeled. We then identify two common scenarios that can occur and cause the correlation base frame edge detection to fail. We present a novel and robust frame start detection technique taking into account STO, CFO and channel estimation effects. Performance of the proposed technique is quantified using a simulation framework and confirmed using experimental measurements. The proposed robust synchronization method demonstrated successful frame edge detection with up to 65 ppm carrier frequency offset versus a loss of 40% of the frames without using the proposed method.
Acute Disruption of the Dorsal Hippocampus Impairs the Encoding and Retrieval of Trace Fear Memories

A major function of the hippocampus is to link discontiguous events in memory. This process can be studied in animals using Pavlovian trace conditioning, a procedure where the conditional stimulus (CS) and unconditional stimulus (US) are separated in time. While the majority of studies have found that trace conditioning requires the dorsal segment of the hippocampus, others have not. This variability could be due to the use of lesion and pharmacological techniques, which lack cell specificity and temporal precision. More recent studies using optogenetic tools find that trace fear acquisition is disrupted by decreases in dorsal CA1 (dCA1) activity while increases lead to learning enhancements. However, comparing these results is difficult given that some studies manipulated the activity of CA1 pyramidal neurons directly and others did so indirectly (e.g., via stimulation of entorhinal cortex inputs). The goal of the current experiments, therefore, was to compare the effects of direct CA1 excitation and inhibition on the encoding and expression of trace fear memories. Our data indicates that stimulation of ArchT in dCA1 pyramidal neurons reduces activity and impairs both the acquisition and retrieval of trace fear. Unlike previous work, direct stimulation of CA1 with ChR2 increases activity and produces deficits in trace fear learning and expression. We hypothesize that this is due to the artificial nature of optogenetic stimulation, which could disrupt processing throughout the hippocampus and in downstream structures.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Health Warnings and Purchases: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction Five U.S. states have proposed policies to require health warnings on sugar-sweetened beverages, but warnings’ effects on actual purchase behavior remain uncertain. This study evaluated the impact of sugar-sweetened beverage health warnings on sugar-sweetened beverage purchases. Study design Participants completed one study visit to a life-sized replica of a convenience store in North Carolina. Participants chose six items (two beverages, two foods, and two household products). One item was randomly selected for them to purchase and take home. Participants also completed a questionnaire. Researchers collected data in 2018 and conducted analyses in 2019. Setting/participants Participants were a demographically diverse convenience sample of 400 adult sugar-sweetened beverage consumers (usual consumption ≥12 ounces/week). Intervention Research staff randomly assigned participants to a health warning arm (sugar-sweetened beverages in the store displayed a front-of-package health warning) or a control arm (sugar-sweetened beverages displayed a control label). Main outcome measures The primary trial outcome was sugar-sweetened beverage calories purchased. Secondary outcomes included reactions to trial labels (e.g., negative emotions) and sugar-sweetened beverage perceptions and attitudes (e.g., healthfulness). Results All 400 participants completed the trial and were included in analyses. Health warning arm participants were less likely to be Hispanic and to have overweight/obesity than control arm participants. In intent-to-treat analyses adjusting for Hispanic ethnicity and overweight/obesity, health warnings led to lower sugar-sweetened beverage purchases (adjusted difference, −31.4 calories; 95% CI= −57.9, −5.0). Unadjusted analyses yielded similar results (difference, −32.9 calories; 95% CI= −58.9, −7.0). Compared with the control label, sugar-sweetened beverage health warnings also led to higher intentions to limit sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and elicited more attention, negative emotions, thinking about the harms of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, and anticipated social interactions. Trial arms did not differ on perceptions of sugar-sweetened beverages’ added sugar content, healthfulness, appeal/coolness, or disease risk. Conclusions Brief exposure to health warnings reduced sugar-sweetened beverage purchases in this naturalistic RCT. Sugar-sweetened beverage health warning policies could discourage sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Trial registration This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT03511937.
Cognitive Impairment among Veterans in Outpatient Vision Rehabilitation.

SIGNIFICANCE Outpatient vision rehabilitation improves function in veterans with vision impairment, but the prevalence of cognitive impairment and the degree to which it may affect rehabilitation outcomes in the Veterans Affairs system are unknown. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among veterans receiving outpatient vision rehabilitation in the Veterans Affairs system and compare the benefits of rehabilitation in veterans with and without cognitive impairment. METHODS We conducted cognitive assessments and a nested longitudinal cohort study in veterans with eye disorders at two outpatient rehabilitation sites. Cognition was assessed with the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status administered in person. Eligible veterans and their companions in the longitudinal study responded to questions about the veteran's function at baseline and 90 days later. Visual function was measured with the 48-item Low Vision Visual Function Questionnaire (LV-VFQ-48) and items from the Activity Inventory. RESULTS Of 291 veterans assessed (mean ± standard deviation age, 78.2 ± 12 years), 136 (46.7%) were cognitively intact (Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status scores, ≥33), whereas 58 (19.9%) had borderline scores of 30 to 32, 82 (28.2%) had scores suggesting mild/moderate cognitive impairment (scores of 20 to 29), and 15 (5.2%) had scores suggesting severe cognitive impairment (score of <20). After 90 days, mean LV-VFQ-48 reading scores tended to improve in veterans with (n = 21) and without (n = 28) cognitive impairment. The magnitude of self-reported improvement in LV-VFQ-48 scores was greater among cognitively intact, compared with cognitively impaired, veterans (effect size, 0.56 for reading; 0.71 for visual motor). Veterans and companions reported similar 90-day reduction in difficulty with the veterans' top 3 Activity Inventory goals, regardless of cognitive status. CONCLUSIONS Approximately one in three veterans referred to outpatient vision rehabilitation has detectable cognitive impairment, yet many still experience functional improvements. Future research should determine best practices to accommodate challenges associated with cognitive impairment in vision rehabilitation and to track clinically meaningful outcomes.
Percolation crossing formulae and conformal field theory

Using conformal field theory, we derive several new crossing formulae at the two-dimensional percolation point. High-precision simulation confirms these results. Integrating them gives a unified derivation of Cardy’s formula for
Development and validation of a platform reduced intact mass method for process monitoring of monoclonal antibody glycosylation during routine manufacturing.

N-linked glycosylation is a primary source of heterogeneity associated with recombinant monoclonal antibodies and plays a key role in a myriad of drug properties associated with biological function...
Target sites: cardiovascular

Abstract Cardiovascular toxicology has advanced rapidly recently, with growing understanding of air pollutin health effects and nteractions of cardiovascular and other organ systems in complex diseases. This chapter surveys books, articles, and resources that provide an up-to-date understanding of key principles, research issues, and applications of cardiovascular toxicology.
Sample preparation method for metal(loid) contaminant quantitation in rodent hair collected in Yuma County, Arizona.

Yuma County, Arizona, is a large agricultural hub of the USA located in the southwestern corner of Arizona on the USA-Mexico border. Year-round use of agrichemicals at a massive scale along with the influx of aquatic contaminants in the Colorado River led to significant levels of environmental pollution and hence exposure risks for people and wildlife. Although hair is a recognized biomarker for metal exposure, there is no universal hair preparation protocol. This study evaluated two digestion methods for metal quantitation using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and three methods for mercury quantitation using cold vapor-atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS), both employing certified reference materials. The “overnight” and “heating” digestion methods were suitable for ICP-MS, while only the heating method was suitable for CV-AAS. These validated methods will be useful for a variety of human and wildlife assessments of toxic metal(loid) exposure.
Optimal Diet for Diabetes: Glucose Control, Hemoglobin A1c Reduction, and CV Risk

The choice of the optimal diet for patients with diabetes, the majority of whom will die from cardiovascular diseases, requires a balance between three factors: glycemia, dyslipidemia, and weight gain. The preferred diets for each of these conditions often conflict. In addition, patient acceptance to a very restricted diet requires an individualized approach that might require additional medications to offset non-optimal diets. Dietary responses in each patient are difficult to predict. For that reason, we provide guidance on dietary testing needed to arrive at a diet that is accepted and leads to the best glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factor reduction.
Sub-Riemannian Geometry: General Theory and Examples

Part I. General Theory: 1. Introductory chapter 2. Basic properties 3. Horizontal connectivity 4. Hamilton-Jacobi theory 5. Hamiltonian formalism 6. Lagrangian formalism 7. Connections on sub-Riemannian manifolds 8. Gauss' theory of sub-Riemannian manifolds Part II. Examples and Applications: 9. Heisenberg manifolds 10. Examples of Heisenberg manifolds 11. Grushin manifolds 12. Hormander manifolds Appendix A: local non-solvability Appendix B: fibre bundles.
The Need for Cost-Effective Neurosurgical Innovation—A Global Surgery Initiative

The authors discuss the unmet needs for neurosurgical care around the world and some of the innovative work being done to address this need. The growing demonstration of surgical innovation and cost-effective technology represents an opportunity within neurosurgery to achieve the goal of making surgical care more accessible to the global population.
Economics of Production and Marketing of Milk Products in Cooperative Sector

The study was conducted in Rudrapur and Khatima blocks of the district U.S. Nagar. Ghee and paneer were the two milk products whose study was made in cooperative sector. After apportionment of joint costs, unit cost for ghee and paneer was estimated. The most important cost component of ghee and paneer production was procurement cost. The cooperative milk product producers are skilled at sales and distribution levels, Customer oriented market research and development should be accorded higher attention by the cooperative sector so as to attract consumer preferences. Brand popularity of its products trade named “Anchal” should be enhanced. Qualified and technical persons should be recruited. The product mix should be reoriented as per the changing market environment and superfluous expenses avoided. The co-operative plants should formulate long-term vision and strategy.