cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 16 – Fractal Analysis of Analyte-Receptor Binding and Dissociation Kinetics in Microcantilever Biosensors

Publisher Summary The chapter intends to extend the analysis of diffusion-limited binding (and dissociation) kinetics that is applied to other biosensor systems to microcantilever biosensor systems. There is continuous pressure to increase the performance characteristics, such as sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, regenerability, and response time of these biosensors. A fractal analysis is presented in the chapter to analyze the binding and dissociation of chromium oxide in water to triethyl-12 mercaptododecylammonium bromide self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-coated microcantilever, and hybridization binding and dissociation on microcantilever biosensors. The fractal analysis is applied to three different sets of data available in the literature, and provides a quantitative indication of the state of disorder (fractal dimension) on the microcantilever biosensor surface and the values of the binding and dissociation rate coefficient (where ever it is applicable).
Micromechanical Design Criteria for Tissue-Engineering Biomaterials

Abstract The field of tissue engineering emerged from work striving to develop biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve functions of a tissue or a whole organ in vitro. Artificial tissues are constructed by seeding cells on biomaterials and are conditioned with suitable biochemical and biomechanical factors to promote maturation of the tissues. Since the micromechanical environment is sensed by the cells, and thus may regulate the cell behavior, the mechanical properties of the biomaterial, including bulk elastic modulus and surface topography, need to be carefully designed to guide the development of engineered tissues. In this chapter, we first introduce the concepts of focal adhesions and mechanotransduction to illustrate how cells actively develop binding sites to biomaterials and sense and transduce the mechanical stimulation into changes in biochemistry and gene expression. We show how cells can react to the mechanical environment by altering proliferation, differentiation, alignment, migration and protein secretion. Then we discuss a few important intracellular molecular pathways that can be triggered by various mechanical signals delivered by biomaterials. Equipped with this knowledge, we explain how manipulation of the active and passive mechanical environment can influence cell and tissue development in detail. Finally, we pinpoint a few directions through which the micromechanical properties of future biomaterials could be tailored to guide orderly tissue growth and restore the normal function.
Deep learning applications in pulmonary medical imaging: recent updates and insights on COVID-19

Shortly after deep learning algorithms were applied to Image Analysis, and more importantly to medical imaging, their applications increased significantly to become a trend. Likewise, deep learning applications (DL) on pulmonary medical images emerged to achieve remarkable advances leading to promising clinical trials. Yet, coronavirus can be the real trigger to open the route for fast integration of DL in hospitals and medical centers. This paper reviews the development of deep learning applications in medical image analysis targeting pulmonary imaging and giving insights of contributions to COVID-19. It covers more than 160 contributions and surveys in this field, all issued between February 2017 and May 2020 inclusively, highlighting various deep learning tasks such as classification, segmentation, and detection, as well as different pulmonary pathologies like airway diseases, lung cancer, COVID-19 and other infections. It summarizes and discusses the current state-of-the-art approaches in this research domain, highlighting the challenges, especially with COVID-19 pandemic current situation.
WiFi Sensing System for Monitoring Public Transportation Ridership: A Case Study

Public transportation system as an essential mode of travel has been investigated by local governments and transportation agencies to capture passengers’ travel behaviors. Despite their efforts, agencies especially in small to medium sized cities could not afford to collect such behaviors data due to significant costs associated with the data collection system. In this study, we presented a WiFi sensing system which makes such data collection feasible with low-cost devices. We demonstrated the WiFi sensing system’s applicability in estimating passengers’ origin-destination (O/D) travel and passengers’ bus stop waiting times via video validation. In addition, WiFi signal strength was analyzed to further improve accuracy of the system. To this end, sliding window algorithm was adopted to mitigate the randomness of mobile devices’ signals. Our small-scale proof of concept experiment was conducted at four bus stops along the main transit corridor in Charlottesville, Virginia. Results indicated that the system was able to re-identify 91% of bus passengers and passengers bus stop waiting time error was as small as 7 seconds. It is expected that the system can be a viable low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) solution for monitoring public transit system performance.
Normal Respiratory Flora as a Cause of Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background Intensive studies have failed to identify an etiologic agent in >50% cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Bacterial pneumonia follows aspiration of recognized bacterial pathogens (RBPs) such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus after they have colonize the nasopharynx. We hypothesized that aspiration of normal respiratory flora (NRF) might also cause CAP. Methods We studied 120 patients hospitalized for CAP who provided a high-quality sputum specimen at, or soon after admission, using Gram stain, quantitative sputum culture, bacterial speciation by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight, and viral polymerase chain reaction. Thresholds for diagnosis of bacterial infection were ≥105 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL sputum for RBPs and ≥106 cfu for NRF. Results Recognized bacterial pathogens were found in 68 of 120 (56.7%) patients; 14 (20.1%) of these had a coinfecting respiratory virus. Normal respiratory flora were found in 31 (25.8%) patients; 10 (32.2%) had a coinfecting respiratory virus. Infection by ≥2 RBPs occurred in 10 cases and by NRF together with RBPs in 13 cases. Among NRF, organisms identified as Streptococcus mitis, which share many genetic features of S pneumoniae, predominated. A respiratory virus alone was found in 16 of 120 (13.3%) patients. Overall, an etiologic diagnosis was established in 95.8% of cases. Conclusions Normal respiratory flora, with or without viral coinfection, appear to have caused one quarter of cases of CAP and may have played a contributory role in an additional 10.8% of cases caused by RBPs. An etiology for CAP was identified in >95% of patients who provided a high-quality sputum at, or soon after, the time of admission.
Isotope effects in x-ray absorption spectra of liquid water

The isotope effects in x-ray absorption spectra of liquid water are studied by a many-body approach within electron-hole excitation theory. The molecular structures of both light and heavy water are modeled by path-integral molecular dynamics based on the advanced deep-learning technique. The neural network is trained on ab initio data obtained with SCAN density functional theory. The experimentally observed isotope effect in x-ray absorption spectra is reproduced semiquantitatively in theory. Compared to the spectrum in normal water, the blueshifted and less pronounced pre- and main-edge in heavy water reflect that the heavy water is more structured at short- and intermediate-range of the hydrogen-bond network. In contrast, the isotope effect on the spectrum is negligible at post-edge, which is consistent with the identical long-range ordering in both liquids as observed in the diffraction experiment.
3d Object Detection For Autonomous Driving Using Temporal Lidar Data

3D object detection is a fundamental problem in the space of autonomous driving, and pedestrians are some of the most important objects to detect. The recently introduced PointPillars architecture has been shown to be effective in object detection. It voxelizes 3D LiDAR point clouds to produce a 2D pseudo-image to be used for object detection. In this work, we modify PointPillars to become a recurrent network, using fewer LiDAR frames per forward pass. Specifically, as compared to the original PointPillars model which uses 10 LiDAR frames per forward pass, our recurrent model uses 3 frames and recurrent memory. With this modification, we observe an 8% increase in pedestrian detection and a slight decline in performance on vehicle detection in a coarsely voxelized setting. Furthermore, when given 3 frames of data as input to both models, our recurrent architecture outperforms PointPillars by 21% and 1% in pedestrian and vehicle detection, respectively.
Demonstration of Two-Dimensional Extreme Skin Depth Engineering in CMOS Photonics Foundry

We implement extreme skin depth engineering (e-skid) in two dimensions to suppress or enhance evanescent coupling on-demand. This is demonstrated experimentally with a large gap, bendless directional coupler exhibiting a broad bandwidth (≥ 40 nm).
Does Publication History Predict Future Publication Output in Orthopaedics

Background The number of publications is widely used as a measure of academic productivity in the field of orthopaedics. How "productive" a physician is has a great influence on consideration for employment, compensation, and promotions. Predictors of potential high-output researchers would be of value to the orthopaedic department and university leadership for new faculty evaluation. Methods The study population included orthopaedic faculty from the top 10 orthopaedic institutions in the United States. Their names and the number of publications at each point in their training (medical school, residency, and fellowship) and early career (first five and 10 years following fellowship) along with a total number of publications to date were collected by using PubMed. Results Strong correlations were seen between publications during total training and publications output in the first five years following fellowship (rs =0.717, P<0.0001). However, no significant correlations were found comparing publications during each stage of training and the first 10 years following fellowship. A moderate positive correlation was found when comparing publications during medical school and residency output (rs =0.401, P<0.0001). Conclusions The data presented here may be utilized by department chairs during the evaluation of faculty and candidates to not interpret the number of publications during training and early career as a gauge of research interest and potential for future publications. Program directors may also use the only moderate correlation between publications in medical school and residency when evaluating applications as support of a more holistic review of applicants to determine research interest.
Linear approximability of two-layer neural networks: A comprehensive analysis based on spectral decay.

In this paper, we present a spectral-based approach to study the linear approximation of two-layer neural networks. We first consider the case of single neuron and show that the linear approximability, quantified by the Kolmogorov width, is controlled by the eigenvalue decay of an associate kernel. Then, we show that similar results also hold for two-layer neural networks. This spectral-based approach allows us to obtain upper bounds, lower bounds, and explicit hard examples in a united manner. In particular, these bounds imply that for networks activated by smooth functions, restricting the norms of inner-layer weights may significantly impair the expressiveness. By contrast, for non-smooth activation functions, such as ReLU, the network expressiveness is independent of the inner-layer weight norms. In addition, we prove that for a family of non-smooth activation functions, including ReLU, approximating any single neuron with random features suffers from the \emph{curse of dimensionality}. This provides an explicit separation of expressiveness between neural networks and random feature models.
Food in Global History

Acknowledgments -- 1 Food and Global History / Raymond Grew -- Part 1 -- The History of Food in Global Perspectives -- 2 cIrcles of Growing and Eating. The Political Ecology of Food and Agriculture / Harriet Friedmann -- 3 The Impact of New World Food Crops on the Diet and Economy of China and India, 1600-1900 / Sucheta Mazurndar -- 4 All the World's a Restaurant: On the Global Gastronomics of Tourism and Travel / Rebecca L. Spang -- 5 On "cabbages and Kings": The Politics of Jewish Identity in Post-Colonial French Society and Cuisine / Joelle Iahloul -- Part 2 -- Public Policy and Global Science -- 6 Food Policies, Nutrition Policies, and their Influence on Processes of Change: European Examples, Elisabct Hclsing -- 7 Food Policy Research in a Global context: The West African Sahel / Della McMillan and Thomas Reardon -- 8 Childhood Nutrition in Developing Countries and Its Policy Consequences / Noel W Solornons, M.D. -- Part 3 -- Global Systems and Human Diet -- 9 Food System Globalization, Eating Transformations, and Nutrition Transitions / Jeffrey Sohal -- 10 Fat and Sugar in the Global Diet: Dietary Diversity in the Nutrition Transition / Adam Drcwnowski -- 11 The `Mad Cow' Crisis.' A Global Perspective / Claude Fischler -- Part 4 -- Eating Together Globally -- 12 The Family Meal and Its Significance in Global Times / Alex Mcintosh -- 13 We Eat Each Other's Food to Nourish our Body: The Global and the Local as Mutually Constituent Forces / Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney -- 14 Food and the Counterculture: A Story of Bread and Politics / Warren Belasco -- List of Contributors.
Immunocytochemical analysis of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthase in Alcaligenes eutrophus H16: localization of the synthase enzyme at the surface of PHB granules.

Abstract Antibodies raised against the Alcaligenes eutrophus poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthase polypeptide were used for immunocytochemical localization of the synthase enzyme in whole cells and purified PHB granules. The data presented demonstrate for the first time that the synthase enzyme is located on the surface of the PHB granule rather than being incorporated inside the granule during its formation. From these basic observations and data from the recent literature, a model of granule assembly is proposed.
Reduced TIGR/myocilin protein in the monkey ciliary muscle after topical prostaglandin F(2alpha) treatment.

PURPOSE. Mutations in the trabecular meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response (TIGR) gene, also known as myocilin, have recently been linked to some forms of glaucoma. Recent studies have shown that TIGR protein also is expressed in the ciliary muscle. Because uveoscleral outflow, which traverses the ciliary muscle, is increased by prostaglandins (PGs), the present study assessed whether topical PGs alter the amount of TIGR protein within the ciliary muscle. METHODS. Vehicle was topically applied to one eye, and 2 mg PGF2a-isopropyl ester (PGF2a-IE) was applied to the other eye of cynomolgus monkeys twice daily for 5 days. Pressure reductions of 5 mm Hg in the PGF2a-IE‐treated eyes were confirmed. The eyes were then fixed and paraffin sections were cut from each eye. The distribution of TIGR protein in the ciliary muscle was determined by confocal scanning laser microscopy. Additional sections were immunostained with a polyclonal antibody to recombinant TIGR protein or with a polyclonal antibody to a synthetic peptide corresponding to the leucine zipper region within the TIGR protein. Staining intensity in the ciliary muscle was assessed by measuring optical density (OD) along two line segments overlying the ciliary muscle, by using a high-resolution imaging densitometer. RESULTS. TIGR protein immunoreactivity was observed in ciliary muscle fibers throughout the ciliary muscle. Extracellular TIGR immunoreactivity colocalized with collagen type IV immunoreactivity. Intracellular staining also was present. Immunoreactivity was less intense in the sections from the PGF2aIE‐treated eyes compared with the vehicle-treated eyes. This was reflected in the reduction of mean OD scores in each monkey. Overall, the reduction of mean OD scores in the treated eyes was 42.1% 6 9.9% (P , 0.005) with the antirecombinant TIGR antibody and 27.3% 6 10.4% with the anti-TIGR peptide antibody (P , 0.005). CONCLUSIONS. TIGR protein immunoreactivity was present both intracellularly and extracellularly in the ciliary muscle of the cynomolgus monkey. This suggests that extracellular TIGR protein is in contact with aqueous humor in the uveoscleral outflow pathway. Moreover, IOP-lowering topical PGF2a-IE treatment decreases the amount of TIGR protein in the ciliary muscle. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001;42:1781‐1786)
Student Affairs Connection: Promoting the Library through Co-Curricular Activities

Librarians at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) University Libraries developed the “Student Affairs Connection” program in order to market the Libraries to students in co-curricular settings and to collaborate more closely with the Student Affairs Division. The program also provides the opportunity to seek student input on Libraries’ services and resources and to communicate directly with them in a variety of ways. The program has multiple facets: a liaison program where librarians are assigned to specific student organizations and services such as Student Government and Residence Life, a Student Libraries Advisory Council (SLAC) representing diverse groups of students that meets with librarians several times a year, staffing a Libraries’ table and providing information and giveaways at information fairs, and sponsoring special events such as Game Night each semester.
Bayesian model of Hamilton Depression Rating Score (HDRS) with memantine augmentation in bipolar depression

Aim Presynaptic and post-synaptic glutamatergic modulation is associated with antidepressant activity that takes several weeks to reach a maximal full effect. Limiting mood elevating effects after single drug administration may be the result of compensatory synaptic processes. Therefore, using augmentation treatment with agents having presynaptic and post-synaptic effects on the glutamatergic system, this study aims to evaluate the effect of augmentation therapy on the rate of change in mood elevation in patients with bipolar depression. Methods In a pilot study, 29 outpatients with bipolar depression on a stable lamotrigine dose regimen received placebo or memantine pills daily (titrated up by 5 mg week–1 to 20 mg) in a randomized, double-blind, parallel group, 8 week study. Patients were evaluated weekly using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Score (HDRS) and all data were analyzed simultaneously. Linear, exponential, maximal effect, Gompertz and inverse Bateman functions were evaluated using a Bayesian approach population pharmacodynamic model framework. In these models, differences in parameters were examined across the memantine and placebo augmentation groups. Results A Gompertz function with a treatment switch on the parameter describing the speed of HDRS decline (γ, 95% confidence interval [CI]) best described the data (γmemantine = 1.8, 95% CI 0.9, 3.6), γplacebo = 1.2, 95% CI 0.5, 3.5)). Between subject variability was identified on baseline HDRS (2.9, 95% CI 1.5, 4.4) and amplitude of score improvement (4.3, 95% CI 2.7, 6.5). Conclusions This pharmacodynamic approach identified an increased speed of response after memantine augmentation, compared with placebo augmentation in bipolar depression patients.
Host-Controlled Modification and Restriction of Bacteriophage T7 by Escherichia coli B

Abstract T7 phage resists Escherichia coli B host-controlled modification and restriction in vivo, but its DNA carries roughly five sites which are susceptible to the purified enzymes.
Critical Care Ultrasonography Differentiates ARDS, Pulmonary Edema, and Other Causes in the Early Course of Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure

BACKGROUND Pathogenic causes of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) can be difficult to identify at early clinical presentation. We evaluated the diagnostic utility of combined cardiac and thoracic critical care ultrasonography (CCUS). METHODS Adult patients in the ICU were prospectively enrolled from January through September 2010 with a Pao 2 /F IO2 ratio RESULTS One hundred thirty-four patients were enrolled (median Pao 2 /F IO2 ratio, 191; interquartile range, 122-253). Fifty-nine patients (44%) received a diagnosis of CPE; 42 (31%), ARDS; and 33 (25%), miscellaneous cause. Analysis of CCUS findings showed that a low B-line ratio (proportion of chest zones with positive B-lines relative to all zones examined) was predictive of miscellaneous cause vs CPE or ARDS (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve [AUC], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75-0.88). For further differentiation of CPE from ARDS, left-sided pleural effusion (> 20 mm), moderately or severely decreased left ventricular function, and a large inferior vena cava minimal diameter (> 23 mm) were predictive of CPE (AUC, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.87). CONCLUSIONS Combined cardiac and thoracic CCUS assists in early bedside differential diagnosis of ARDS, CPE, and other causes of AHRF.
Inverted pendulum: an experiment for control laboratory

This paper describes the setup and case study of the rotating base inverted pendulum. The inverted pendulum is a classical control system problem because of its nonlinear characteristics and unstable behavior. The rotating inverted pendulum is an excellent test bed for nonlinear control theory. This paper describes the hardware and software used and the different control schemes that were implemented and the results are presented.
Introduction of beikost.

I found the recent article, "Recommendations for feeding normal infants" by Fomon et al (Pediatrics 63:52, 1979) helpful and informative. However, I disagree with their conclusion that early feeding of beikost to help infants sleep through the night is undesirable. With more than 30% of mothers with children under the age of 3 working outside the home, and with the ever increasing number of single parent families, factors that enable a parent to cope with raising a child under these circumstances must be advanced.
The homotopy continuation method to approach voltage collapse of electric power systems

The voltage collapse phenomena in a power system has been attributed to a lack of sufficient reactive power reserve when the power system experiences a heavy load or severe contingencies. A homotopy continuation method is presented to approach the voltage collapse point by tracing the system operating condition even near or at the system bifurcation point when some system parameters vary. The model employed includes the internal and the terminal buses of the generator and the IEEE type-1 excitation system. The phenomena of voltage collapse are analyzed on a three-bus power system which is augmented by an IEEE type-1 excitation system. >
Linking landscape‐level change to habitat quality: an evaluation of restoration actions on the freshwater habitat of spring‐run Chinook salmon

Summary 1. Conservation planning is often hampered by the lack of causal quantitative links between landscape characteristics, restoration actions and habitat conditions that impact the status of imperilled species. Here we present a first step toward linking actions on the landscape to the population status of endangered stream-type Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). 2. We developed relationships between land use, landscape characteristics and freshwater habitat of spring Chinook salmon in the Wenatchee River basin. Available data allowed us to find relationships that described water temperatures at several life stages (prespawning, egg incubation and summer rearing) and substratum characteristics, including fine sediments, cobble and embeddedness. Predictors included altitude, gradient, mean annual precipitation, total and riparian forest cover, road density, impervious surface and alluvium. We used a model averaging approach to account for parameter and model selection uncertainty. Key predictors were total forest cover and impervious surface area for prespawning and summer rearing temperatures; precipitation and stream gradients were important predictors of the percent of fine sediments in stream substrata. 3. We estimated habitat conditions using these relationships in three alternative landscape scenarios: historical, no restoration and one that included a set of restoration actions from local conservation planning. We found that prespawning and summer temperatures were estimated to be slightly higher historically relative to current conditions in dry sparsely forested areas, but lower in some important Chinook salmon spawning and rearing areas and lower in those locations under the restoration scenario. Fine sediments were lower in the historical scenario and were reduced as a consequence of restoration actions in two areas currently unoccupied by Chinook salmon that contain reaches with some potential for high quality spawning and rearing. Cobble and embeddedness in general were predicted to be higher historically and changed little as a result of restoration actions relative to current conditions. 4. This modelling framework converts suites of restoration actions into changes in habitat condition, thereby enabling restoration planners to evaluate alternative combinations of proposed actions. It also provides inputs to models linking habitat conditions to population status. This approach represents a first step in estimating impacts of restoration strategies, and can provide key information for conservation managers and planners.
Stress Mitigation to Promote Development of Prosocial Values and School Engagement of Inner‐City Urban African American and Latino Youth

Studies of predictors of development of young men of color have been primarily focused on factors that impede positive development rather than factors that promote it. There are also few examples of longitudinal studies of positive development of this population and few that consider multiple protective factors simultaneously. Little is also known about how such positive outcomes might relate to prediction of problematic functioning. This study tests a developmental-ecological framework of positive and risky development among a sample of young men of color growing up in high-risk urban environments. African American and Latino adolescent males (148 African American, 193 Latino) were followed from early to late adolescence. Stress in early adolescence was related to school engagement and prosocial values as well as depressive symptoms and problems assessed 2 years later. The role of family and individual protective factors as direct effects and as mitigating the stress-outcome relation were also tested. Stress predicted problem outcomes but not positive functioning. Early engagement in prosocial activities and coping skills did predict positive outcomes. In contrast, problem outcomes were predicted directly by stress, with some indication of interaction with some protective factors for both such outcomes. Overall results suggest value in focusing on positive outcomes along with negative outcomes, as they are not the antithesis and have some shared but some different predictors. Implications for supporting positive development are presented.
Nonlinear finite element analysis of beams and arches using parallel processors

Abstract A nonlinear finite element formulation for beams and arches is presented for implementation on a multiple instruction multiple data (MIMD) parallel machine. A twelve degree of freedom arch element is developed using Green strains and 2nd Piola Kirchhoff stresses. Concepts like loop splitting and expression splitting are used to improve the load balancing capability among the processors. Using this developed element, beams and arches that are undergoing large displacements and large rotations are analyzed, and efficiency of the program is compared with a sequential implementation.
Keeping it Between the Buoys: Assessing Self-Reported Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in a Young Adult Population

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) has recently become a topic of significant concern. Employing a sample of 1,082 young adult boaters, we explore demographic characteristics of those who seek various levels of intoxication while boating and apply several of the leading criminological theories to the study of BUI. We evaluate self-report measures of intoxicated boating, buzzed boating, and BUI. Results indicate that social learning theory and low self-control are leading predictors of BUI. We conclude that given the social nature and cultural acceptance of drinking while boating, simply lowering the blood alcohol content legal limit may not solve the BUI problem.
Analysis of thermal conduction in carbon foams

Abstract Carbon foams are a new class of porous organic materials that are being developed for use as insulation, heat spreaders, and compact heat exchanger cores. The thermal conductivity of carbon foams is difficult to determine analytically, particularly for the case of high porosity, graphitic foams that show moderate to high bulk conductivity. Models that predict thermal conductivity of foams often use an empirical parameter to account for the effect of pore shape and material microstructure on the conduction process. A finite element (FEM) analysis has been developed to calculate the thermal conductivity of carbon foams for the complete range of porosity. The results are interpreted in terms of analytical and semi-empirical solutions. It is shown that the FEM solution matches the theoretical solution that is valid for low porosity, but differs significantly from semi-empirical solutions of high porosity foams.
A topological twist on materials science

The primary objective of this article is twofold: to address the key concept of topology that impacts materials science in a major way and to convey the excitement to the materials community of recent significant advances in our understanding of the important topological notions in a wide class of materials with potential technological applications. A paradigm of topology/geometry → property → functionality is emerging that goes beyond the traditional microscopic structure → property → functionality relationship. The new approach delineates the active roles of topology and geometry in design, fabrication, characterization, and predictive modeling of novel materials properties and multifunctionalities. After introducing the essentials of topology and geometry, we elucidate these concepts through a gamut of nanocarbon allotropes of de novo carbons, hierarchical self-assembled soft- and biomaterials, supramolecular assemblies, and nanoporous materials. Applications of these topological materials range from sensing, energy storage/conversion, and catalysis to nanomedicine.
Visual field defects detected in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: Preliminary report

The presence of visual field anomalies was measured using Goldmann kinetic perimetry in twelve patients, age 7 to 39 with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Refraction to the cupola was carefully controlled.
Variables and potential models for the bleaching of luminescence signals in fluvial environments

Abstract Luminescence dating of fluvial sediments rests on the assumption that sufficient sunlight is available to remove a previously obtained signal in a process deemed bleaching. However, luminescence signals obtained from sediment in the active channels of rivers often contain residual signals. This paper explores and attempts to build theoretical models for the bleaching of luminescence signals in fluvial settings. We present two models, one for sediment transported in an episodic manner, such as flood-driven washes in arid environments, and one for sediment transported in a continuous manner, such as in large continental scale rivers. The episodic flow model assumes that the majority of sediment is bleached while exposed to sunlight at the near surface between flood events and predicts a power-law decay in luminescence signal with downstream transport distance. The continuous flow model is developed by combining the Beer–Lambert law for the attenuation of light through a water column with a general-order kinetics equation to produce an equation with the form of a double negative exponential. The inflection point of this equation is compared with the sediment concentration from a Rouse profile to derive a non-dimensional number capable of assessing the likely extent of bleaching for a given set of luminescence and fluvial parameters. Although these models are theoretically based and not yet necessarily applicable to real-world fluvial systems, we introduce these ideas to stimulate discussion and encourage the development of comprehensive bleaching models with predictive power.
Specificity of parental bonding and rumination in depressive and anxious emotional distress

Abstract We examined how different dimensions of rumination may mediate the impact of parental bonding (lack of care and overprotectiveness) on negative emotional symptomatology (anxiety and depression). Survey data from participants were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that brooding rumination fully mediated the relationship between maternal care and depressive and anxious symptomatology. These findings suggest that to the extent that maternal caregivers are low in warmth and support, offspring are more likely to develop a brooding style of ruminative thinking associated with heightened emotional distress. This research supports the growing body of evidence suggesting that cognitive variables form a pathway between troublesome parent/child interactions and psychopathology.
A HOMOZYGOUS TRANSLOCATION IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

Five cases of translocation involving the third and the fourth chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster have been found in the progeny of flies treated by x-rays. The flies carrying a given translocation seem to be perfectly normal in their appearance, but, when tested genetically, they show linkage of genes belonging to the third with genes belonging to the fourth linkage group.
Effect of Duration of Packed Red Blood Cell Storage on Morbidity and Mortality in Dogs After Transfusion: 3,095 cases (2001–2010)

Background Accumulating evidence suggests that transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) stored for >14 days is associated with increased rates of sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction, and mortality in human patients. Objective To determine if duration of PRBC storage has an effect on morbidity and mortality in dogs after transfusion. Animals Dogs admitted to the Matthew J Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Methods A retrospective case review of dogs identified through blood bank logbooks that received PRBC transfusions (minimum, 5 mL/kg) between 2001 and 2010. Dogs were categorized according to major cause of anemia (eg, hemorrhage, hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis) for analysis. Results A total of 3,095 dogs received 5,412 PRBC units. Longer duration of PRBC storage was associated with development of new or progressive coagulation failure (P = .001) and thromboembolic disease (P = .005). There was no association between duration of PRBC storage and survival for all dogs overall. However, a logistic regression model indicated that for dogs with hemolysis, 90% of which had immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, longer duration of PRBC storage was a negative risk factor for survival. For every 7 day increase in storage, there was a 0.79 lesser odds of 30 day survival (95% CI, 0.64–0.97; P = .024). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Duration of PRBC storage does not appear to be a major contributing factor to mortality in the overall canine population. However, longer duration of PRBC storage may negatively impact outcome in dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, thus warranting further investigation with prospective studies.
Substrate Specificity and Recognition Is Conferred by the Pleckstrin Homology Domain of the Dbl Family Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor P-Rex2

Dbl family guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are characterized by the presence of a catalytic Dbl homology domain followed invariably by a lipid-binding pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. To date, substrate recognition and specificity of this family of GEFs has been reported to be mediated exclusively via the Dbl homology domain. Here we report the novel and unexpected finding that, in the Dbl family Rac-specific GEF P-Rex2, it is the PH domain that confers substrate specificity and recognition. Moreover, the β3β4 loop of the PH domain of P-Rex2 is the determinant for Rac1 recognition, as substitution of the β3β4 loop of the PH domain of Dbs (a RhoA- and Cdc42-specific GEF) with that of P-Rex2 confers Rac1-specific binding capability to the PH domain of Dbs. The contact interface between the PH domain of P-Rex2 and Rac1 involves the switch loop and helix 3 of Rac1. Moreover, substitution of helix 3 of Cdc42 with that of Rac1 now enables the PH domain of P-Rex2 to bind this Cdc42 chimera. Despite having the ability to recognize this chimeric Cdc42, P-Rex2 is unable to catalyze nucleotide exchange on Cdc42, suggesting that recognition of substrate and catalysis are two distinct events. Thus substrate recognition can now be added to the growing list of functions that are being attributed to the PH domain of Dbl family GEFs.
The thirsty traveler visits Gamont: a rejoinder to "Comments on fuzzy sets/spl minus/what are they and why?"

Replying to the comments of W.H. Woodall and R.E. Davis (ibid., p.43) on the author's editorial (ibid., p.1), the authors present two illustrations to show that they do not have a poor opinion of probability but that they believe fuzzy membership to be more useful in some cases. >
Architecture, Structure, and Loads: A Moment of Change?

Architecture and building structure have a unique, complicated, and intertwined history. Architectural innovations can drive the development of structural systems and structural advancements can push architecture forward. Rem Koolhaas, writing about one of his primary engineering collaborators in 2002, stated that this collaborator "almost single"handedly shifted the ground in engineering ” a domain which the earth moves very rarely ” and therefore enabled architecture to be imagined differently.”1 There are two ideas embedded in this quote. The first is that building structure and those who design it are entrenched in a way of practice that seldom varies. The second is that the view of structure is changing and this change has the potential to allow architecture to make a significant transformation. Ten years later, the question remains, is structure changing, and if so, how and what metrics can be used to establish this? Digital technology and fabrication advancements have led to an exploration of building structure and material. Architects are creating buildings once thought impossible to build. Through experimentation, new forms and roof systems are being created. Does this form creation have a larger meaning? One indicator of this might be found in the way loads and load paths are conceived. When starting a project, the primary determinants are the understanding of the loads created by the engineer and the selection of a structural system to support them. Can an examination of loads be used to evaluate change in structure? This investigation will begin with a brief discussion of loads and will analyze two recently constructed works as case studies. The structural systems in these buildings will be examined to see if the conception of loads and the philosophy behind the system is evolving.
Explaining Away A Model of Affective Adaptation

We propose a model of affective adaptation, the processes whereby affective responses weaken after one or more exposures to emotional events. Drawing on previous research, our approach, represented by the acronym AREA, holds that people attend to self-relevant, unexplained events, react emotionally to these events, explain or reach an understanding of the events, and thereby adapt to the events (i.e., they attend less and have weaker emotional reactions to them). We report tests of new predictions about people's reactions to pleasurable events and discuss the implications of the model for how people cope with negative events, experience emotion in different cultures, and other topics.
Biomedical risk factors for decreased cognitive functioning in type 1 diabetes: an 18 year follow-up of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) cohort

Aims/hypothesis In patients with type 1 diabetes, there has been concern about the effects of recurrent hypoglycaemia and chronic hyperglycaemia on cognitive function. Because other biomedical factors may also increase the risk of cognitive decline, this study examined whether macrovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity), sub-clinical macrovascular disease (carotid intima–media thickening, coronary calcification) and microvascular complications (retinopathy, nephropathy) were associated with decrements in cognitive function over an extended time period.
SU‐FF‐T‐410: Target Localization of Intensity Modulated Radio‐Surgery Patients Using ExacTrac System

Purpose: The Novalis body system, ExacTrac®, was used to verify target localization and to improve patient positioning for daily treatment with patient pre‐positioning by mask and head frame in intensity modulated radio‐surgery(IMRS). This study is to present preliminary results of quantitative measurements from the ExacTrac system. Method and Materials: Accuracy of imagefusion and correct calibration of ExacTrac system were investigated using the head section of anthropomorphic phantom. The phantom was randomly moved away from the target position manually and re‐positioned using the ExacTrac system. Couch final position was then compared with target position to determine positioning errors. ExacTrac recorded data from 12 patients was used for this study. A verification plan for exporting DRRs to ExacTrac was created for each patient using reference point as localizer. The patient was placed on the couch with mask and isocenter was aligned with target positioner. Two x‐ray images were taken and registered to DRRs using automatic 3D fusion. After visual examination of the match of bony structures surrounding the isocenter, the necessary couch movements were performed based on shifts computed from 3D fusion.Results: For 7 cranial patients with total 106 treatments, the lateral, longitudinal and vertical average shifts were 0.80, 1.91, and 0.99 mm respectively; for 4 orbital patients with total 103 treatments, the shifts were 0.6, 1.4, and 0.6mm respectively; for one C‐spine patient with total 28 treatments, shifts were 1.5, 1.6, and 2.3 mm respectively. According to 11 phantom measurements, our ExacTrac system had accuracy of 0.27, 0.64, and 0.55 mm respectively. Conclusion: Target shifts in patient positioning by mask and head frame could be more than 1.0 mm and was larger in longitudinal direction for treatment of cranial and orbital tumors. With x‐ray image guidance, ExacTrac system localizes target with accuracy of less than 1.0 mm.
Immunotherapy targeting glioma stem cells--insights and perspectives.

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal primary malignant brain tumor. Although progress has been made in current conventional therapies for GBM patients, the ...
EFFECTS OF SOME CHEMICALLY INERT DUSTS UPON THE TRANSPIRATION RATE OF YELLOW COLEUS PLANTS

In an attempt to obtain critical evidence as to whether inert dusts affect cuticular or stomatal transpiration or both, investigations were conducted with coleus plants, which have stomata on only the lower leaf surfaces. Chemically inert dusts (silica, talc, and Bancroft clay) were applied to one leaf surface or the other, and the relative effects on the daytime and night water losses were measured. The results of these experiments show that for dusts to cause an increase in water loss the dust particles must be small, and the dust must be applied to the stomata-bearing side of the leaf when the stomata are open.
Human health research and policy development: experience in the Great Lakes region

Abstract As a direct outgrowth of industrial and agricultural activities, the quality of the Great Lakes ecosystem has declined significantly because of toxic substances in the water, eutrophication, overfishing, and invasive species that have been introduced into the waterways. Although measures have been adopted to restore the health of the ecosystem, contamination of Great Lakes sport fish continues arising from conditions that still prevail, but on a more limited scale. As a consequence, the Great Lakes states have issued guidelines for the public in the form of health advisories for fish consumption to encourage practices that will minimize exposure to contaminants found in Great Lakes sport fish. Scientific research has strongly influenced many policy decisions, including the development of laws, rules, and guidelines applicable to public health not only in regard to fish advisories but also other issues impacting human health. This paper proposes to outline how policy has been influenced by scientific findings and the far-reaching effect that these decisions have had on the health status of the public in the Great Lakes area and its potential for influencing the nation as a whole and our global neighbors. Within the Great Lakes basin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and mercury are the subject of the greatest number of fish advisories. Great Lakes-based researchers have studied populations residing in the Great Lakes basin to determine their level of awareness concerning fish consumption health advisories. They found that almost 50% of the residents who consumed Great Lakes sport fish were aware of sport fish consumption advisories. Of those with awareness, almost 60% were males and only about 40% were females. The researchers attributed the greater awareness among males to the health advisory materials that males receive with their fishing licenses and to their contact with fishing-related groups. The lower level of awareness among women regarding fish consumption advisories subsequently prompted the researchers to recommend targeting risk communication programs for female consumers of Great Lakes sport fish, particularly women of reproductive age. The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services subsequently followed the recommendation and developed uniform outreach materials for women, minorities, and the general public to be used by the Great Lakes states. The policy change directing educational materials to at-risk groups (e.g., women of reproductive age and minorities) is a direct outgrowth of the finding of low awareness about fish advisories among women who were interviewed.
The effects of DDT analogs upon potassium conductance in synthetic membranes

Abstract The effects of p,p′-DDT and 13 analogs were studied upon the K+ conductance which valinomycin induces in a lecithin-octane bilayer. Eight compounds decreased conductance, 4 relatively polar analogs increased conductance, and one had no effect. A partial correlation of these variations with physiological effects upon cockroach nerve and crayfish giant axon was found. Evidence was presented that the effect on the bilayer was due to an effect of the compounds on the fluidity of the membrane's interior rather than a direct interaction with the valinomycin.