cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glycine immunoreactivity of multipolar neurons in the ventral cochlear nucleus which project to the dorsal cochlear nucleus.

Certain distinct populations of neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus are inhibited by a neural source that is responsive to a wide range of acoustic frequencies. In this study, we examined the glycine immunoreactivity of two types of ventral cochlear nucleus neurons (planar and radiate) in the rat which project to the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) and thus, might be responsible for this inhibition. Previously, we proposed that planar neurons provided a tonotopic and narrowly tuned input to the DCN, whereas radiate neurons provided a broadly tuned input and thus, were strong candidates as the source of broadband inhibition (Doucet and Ryugo [1997] J. Comp. Neurol. 385:245‐264). We tested this idea by combining retrograde labeling and glycine immunohistochemical protocols. Planar and radiate neurons were first retrogradely labeled by injecting biotinylated dextran amine into a restricted region of the dorsal cochlear nucleus. The labeled cells were visualized using streptavidin conjugated to indocarbocyanine (Cy3), a fluorescent marker. Sections that contained planar or radiate neurons were then processed for glycine immunocytochemistry using diaminobenzidine as the chromogen. Immunostaining of planar neurons was light, comparable to that of excitatory neurons (pyramidal neurons in the DCN), whereas immunostaining of radiate neurons was dark, comparable to that of glycinergic neurons (cartwheel cells in the dorsal cochlear nucleus and principal cells in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that radiate neurons in the ventral cochlear nucleus subserve the wideband inhibition observed in the dorsal cochlear nucleus. J. Comp. Neurol. 408:515‐531, 1999. r 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Indexing terms: auditory system; biotinylated dextran amine; hearing; inhibition
Predicting Adolescents' Organized Activity Involvement: The Role of Maternal Depression History, Family Relationship Quality, and Adolescent Cognitions

Although the potential benefits of organized activity involvement during high school have been documented, little is known about what familial and individual characteristics are associated with higher levels of participation. Using structural equation modeling, this longitudinal study examined the extent to which maternal depression history (i.e., risk), family relationship quality, and adolescents' cognitions (i.e., self-worth and attributional style), predicted organized activity involvement during high school among 145 adolescents, controlling for socioeconomic status and adolescent depressive symptoms. Results showed that risk predicted less adolescent high school activity involvement, and this relation was mediated by family relationship quality. Family relationship quality indirectly affected activity involvement through adolescent cognitions. The overall predictive model generally supported the importance of the interplay between family and individual factors in predicting activity involvement during high school.
Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology at the Army Research Laboratory

The Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology program is conducting research to develop small air and ground robotic systems for acquisition and delivery of improved situational awareness to warfighters.
Comparative thresholds of cortex, vestibular system and reticular formation in wakefulness, sleep and rapid eye movement periods

Abstract 1. 1. Thresholds for evoking movement by stimulating cortex and vestibular nerves, and for behavioral and electrographic arousal by mesencephalic RF stimulation have been studied in 5 cats bearing implanted electrodes. These thresholds were recorded as the animals passed spontaneously from wakefulness into drowsiness, sleep, and low voltage fast ECoG and rapid eye movement periods (REMPs). 2. 2. Threshold for evoking cortico-spinal movement is lowest in the waking animal, increases in drowsiness, and becomes still higher in sleep. During REMPs threshold is lower than in sleep and is nearly as low as in relaxed wakefulness. 3. 3. In a single episode of low voltage ECoG, threshold for cortico-spinal movement is lower during bursts of REM than in the periods of ocular quiescence. 4. 4. Vestibular and RF stimulation thresholds increase from wakefulness to sleep similarly to cortical thresholds. By contrast, however, vestibular and RF thresholds are higher in REMPs than in sleep, and vestibular threshold is higher during REMs than in the lulls between bursts of ocular activity. 5. 5. We conclude that the neocortex is activated during REMPs, compared with sleep. 6. 6. Our findings, and other data suggest that sleep and REMPs represent qualitatively different processes rather than quantitatively different aspects (lightness or depth) of a single state of sleep.
Microsatellite evidence of invasion and rapid spread of divergent New Zealand mudsnail ( Potamopyrgus antipodarum ) clones in the Snake River basin, Idaho, USA

We used microsatellites to assess genetic diversity and spatial structuring of the invasive apomictic New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in the initial focal area of its recent North American invasion, a portion of the upper Snake River basin (Idaho) that is segmented by a series of hydropower dams. Thirty-four samples (812 total snails) from a 368 km reach of this drainage were genotyped for six loci. Sixty-five distinct clones were detected and grouped into four divergent clusters based on chord distances. Genetic structuring of populations was generally low. Our results indicate that the founding population(s) of this invasion was composed of a small number of putative clonal lineages which spread rapidly within this fragmented watershed owing to the enhanced dispersal ability of these parthenogens. The substantial genetic variation documented in this study suggests that caution should be used in the application of biological control measures for this pest species.
Space-time transmit signal construction for multi-mode radar

This paper addresses the problem of constructing, selecting, and/or evaluating non-separable space-time transmit functions for radar transmitters. By expressing a constrained space-time transmit function as a superposition of space-time basis functions, this problem is recast as finding an optimal set of superposition weights, which are collected and expressed as complex transmit vectors. Optimality in this problem is defined as the transmit vector that results in an optimal radar measurement, and thus depends on the radar task, target scenario, and receiver construction. After discussing the properties of the ideal (but unobtainable) radar measurement, an information theoretic criterion is presented as a logical method for selecting optimal transmit vectors. A numeric simulation demonstrates the efficacy of this method.
Phasor Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy of Free and Protein-Bound NADH Reveals Neural Stem Cell Differentiation Potential

In the stem cell field there is a lack of non invasive and fast methods to identify stem cell’s metabolic state, differentiation state and cell-lineage commitment. Here we describe a label-free method that uses NADH as an intrinsic biomarker and the Phasor approach to Fluorescence Lifetime microscopy to measure the metabolic fingerprint of cells. We show that different metabolic states are related to different cell differentiation stages and to stem cell bias to neuronal and glial fate, prior the expression of lineage markers. Our data demonstrate that the NADH FLIM signature distinguishes non-invasively neurons from undifferentiated neural progenitor and stem cells (NPSCs) at two different developmental stages (E12 and E16). NPSCs follow a metabolic trajectory from a glycolytic phenotype to an oxidative phosphorylation phenotype through different stages of differentiation. NSPCs are characterized by high free/bound NADH ratio, while differentiated neurons are characterized by low free/bound NADH ratio. We demonstrate that the metabolic signature of NPSCs correlates with their differentiation potential, showing that neuronal progenitors and glial progenitors have a different free/bound NADH ratio. Reducing conditions in NPSCs correlates with their neurogenic potential, while oxidative conditions correlate with glial potential. For the first time we show that FLIM NADH metabolic fingerprint provides a novel, and quantitative measure of stem cell potential and a label-free and non-invasive means to identify neuron- or glial- biased progenitors.
Composition of Gyrinid Aggregations in the East Texas Primitive Big Thicket (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae)

Abstract Gyrinids were collected from lotic and lentic sites in the Texas Big Thicket, where species frequently exhibited aggregation. Aggregations consisted of two or more species, and some aggregations had species representing up to three genera: Dineutus MacLeay, Gyretes Brulle and Gyrinus Muller. The composition of these aggregations is described along with habitat preferences. In the Big Thicket region of east Texas, gyrinids are most commonly found in species aggregations and were rarely collected in as single species groups.
Relationship between fatty acid-binding protein activity and marbling scores in bovine longissimus muscle.

Studies were conducted in an attempt to establish a relationship between fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) activity and marbling score in bovine longissimus muscle. Longissimus muscle was obtained from four 20-mo-old Charolais-Hereford crossbred heifers, three 16-mo-old Angus steers, and four 18-mo-old Angus steers. Immediately after slaughter, longissimus muscles were removed for the extraction of FABP. Supernatant (S104) fractions containing 41.3 to 144 mg of protein (depending on animal group) were eluted over Sephadex columns, and elution fractions were analyzed for the binding of radiolabeled palmitoyl-coenzyme A (CoA). Specific activities of FABP were 23, 32, and 101 nmol palmitoyl-CoA bound/mg protein for the Charolais-Hereford, 16-mo-old Angus, and 18-mo-old Angus cattle, respectively. These preliminary results suggested that longissimus muscle FABP activity was positively correlated with marbling score. To test specifically for this possibility, longissimus muscle was obtained at slaughter from each of four Wagyu steers, Angus heifers and Braford heifers. Marbling scores taken at the 12th-13th rib junction were Sm45, Sm43, and SI50 for the Wagyu, Angus, and Braford cattle, respectively. Interfascicular adipose tissue was exhaustively removed from sections of the 5th to 8th thoracic region of the longissimus muscle to eliminate any contribution of adipose tissue to FABP activity. For each animal, 300 mg of the S104 were eluted over Sephadex columns. Specific activities for the Wagyu, Angus, and Braford longissimus muscle FABP were 3.1, 3.8, and 3.9 pmol palmitoyl-CoA bound/mg protein, respectively, and were not different (P greater than .05) among the three animal groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evolving Curves and Surfaces

In this chapter, we discuss how to represent curve or surface evolution using partial differential equations. This connects to fundamental mathematical results, some of them beyond the scope of this book, but also has important practical implications, especially when implementing optimization algorithms over curves and surfaces. One important example will be active contours, which will be described in the next chapter.
Personalized immunotherapy (AGS-003) when combined with sunitinib for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Introduction: AGS-003 is a novel autologous dendritic cell vaccine currently in Phase III clinical development in combination with sunitinib for patients with intermediate- and poor-risk clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (ccmRCC).Areas covered: In addition to research published within the past 15 years demonstrating the efficacy of novel targeted therapies, early-phase clinical trial results recently published for AGS-003 in combination with sunitinib are discussed, as well as the ongoing Phase III clinical trial Autologous Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy (AGS-003) Plus Standard Treatment of Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma.Expert opinion: AGS-003 in combination with sunitinib is a rational step forward for the clinical management of patients with ccmRCC. If the Phase III Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma trial is positive, this treatment modality will provide a significant survival benefit with minimal toxicity and could change the standard of care for ccmRCC.
Impact of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Safety-Related Announcements on the Use of Bisphosphonates After Hip Fracture.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued several announcements related to potential risk of bisphosphonates including osteonecrosis of the jaw (2005), atrial fibrillation (2007), and atypical femur fracture (2010). We aimed to evaluate the impact of three FDA drug safety announcements on the use of bisphosphonates in patients with hip fracture using claims data from a U.S. commercial health plan (2004-2013). We calculated the proportion of patients in each quarter who received a bisphosphonate or other osteoporosis medication in the 6 months following hospitalization for hip fracture. Segmented logistic regression models examined the time trends. Among 22,598 patients with hip fracture, use of bisphosphonate decreased from 15% in 2004 to 3% in the last quarter of 2013. Prior to the 2007 announcement, there was a 4% increase in the odds of bisphosphonate use every quarter (OR 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.07). After the 2007 announcement, there was a 4% decrease in the odds of bisphosphonate use (OR 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93 to 0.99) every quarter. The announcement in 2007 was associated with a significant decline in the rate of change of bisphosphonate uses over time (p < 0.001), but no impact on other osteoporosis medication use (p = 0.2). After the 2010 announcement, the odds of bisphosphonate use continued to decrease by 4% (OR 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.98) each quarter and the odds of other osteoporosis medication use remained stable over time (OR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.02). The FDA safety announcement related to atrial fibrillation in 2007 was significantly associated with a decrease in bisphosphonate use among patients with hip fracture. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A Simple Technique for Sub-10 nm Planar Nanofluidic Channel Fabrication

A simple and low-cost technique is demonstrated to fabricate sub-10 nm planar nanofluidic channels. Native oxide on silicon surface is etched with a multiple hydrofluoric (HF)-etch / SiO2-regrowth process. Shallow Si trenches with 3 nm to 24 nm depths are obtained at an etch rate of 1 nm per HF dip. The trenches are uniform with a surface r.m.s. roughness of 0.4 - 0.6 nm. A low-temperature and low-voltage anodic wafer bonding process is then used to form planar nanofluidic channels. Minimum aspect ratio (depth/width) of the fabricated sub-10 nm nanochannels is around 0.001-0.002.
Washington State's Residential Parenting Program: An Integrated Public Health, Education, and Social Service Resource for Pregnant Inmates and Prison Mothers

Increases in the number of women incarcerated have created a corresponding need for health services for pregnant inmates. There have been relatively few comprehensive prison-based programs that address the prenatal health care needs of these expectant prisoners, as well as providing a safe and nurturing long-term environment for their infants. This paper outlines the key health care issues for female prison inmates and focuses on pregnant women and their unique health, educational, social, and vocational needs. An in-depth process analysis of a promising integrated program, Washington State’s Residential Parenting Program follows. Since most inmates return to their communities, prison programs for mothers that aim to reduce recidivism, enhance long-term public safety by providing a bridge between the institution and community, enhance the relationship between mother and child, and improve the prospects for the family should be a priority.
Showdown in San Francisco

As Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was landing in New York, President Roosevelt was consumed by preparations for meetings between the Big Three, the United States, Russia and Great Britain, that would take place in Yalta, in the Crimea. The Yalta Conference was meant to follow up on an earlier 1943 conclave in Tehran, where the overall camaraderie between Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill had produced fruitful dialogue. In Tehran, the three had tentatively agreed that some kind of post-war world organization was necessary to maintain the peace.1 The Allies needed to meet again to discuss this matter in greater detail, in the context of the latest developments in the war.
Legal Services in the Doha Round

As a subcategory of professional services and a sub-subcategory of business services, legal services, when supplied transnationally, are the subject of negotiation in the current round of multilateral trade negotiation known as the Doha Round. The negotiations on legal services that take place in the Doha Round have considerable potential for affecting the economics and activities of lawyers and law firms, and for influencing the content of local professional rules governing the practice of law. This article examines that potential.
Ocular Lesions in Red-Tailed Hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis) With Naturally Acquired West Nile Disease.

Ocular lesions are common in red-tailed hawks with West Nile (WN) disease. These lesions consist of pectenitis, choroidal or retinal inflammation, or retinal necrosis, but detailed investigation of the ocular lesions is lacking. Postmortem examination of the eyes of 16 red-tailed hawks with naturally acquired WN disease and 3 red-tailed hawks without WN disease was performed using histopathology, immunohistochemistry for West Nile virus (WNV) antigen, glial fibrillary acid protein, cleaved caspase-3, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling method. Retinal lesions were classified as type I or type II lesions. Type I lesions were characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates in the subjacent choroid with degeneration limited to the outer retina (type Ia lesion) or with degeneration and necrosis of the outer retina or outer and inner retina (type Ib lesion) while retinal collapse, atrophy, and scarring were hallmarks of type II lesions. Type II retinal lesions were associated with a more pronounced choroiditis. Although not statistically significant, WNV antigen tended to be present in larger quantity in type Ib lesions. Type I lesions are considered acute while type II lesions are chronic. The development of retinal lesions was associated with the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate in the choroid. A breakdown of the blood-retina barrier is suspected to be the main route of infection of the retina. Within the retina, virus appeared to spread via both neuronal and Muller cell processes.
Pathophysiological Underpinnings of Multiple Myeloma Progression

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells that accumulate in the bone marrow. Myeloma is characterized by skeletal destruction, renal failure, hypercalcemia, and anemia. Currently, there is no cure, though recent understanding of the bone marrow microenvironment and the cytogenetics involved in MM are leading to improved and individualized treatment strategies, leading to longer periods of remission and improved survival rates. OBJECTIVE: To review MM pathophysiology, genetic issues, other risk factors, and the steps of disease progression. This section will address diagnosis, staging, classification, and disease complications, as well as the roles of cytogenetic abnormalities and the bone marrow milieu. SUMMARY: In MM, malignant plasma cells in the in the bone marrow produce large quantities of monoclonal protein (M protein) leading to stimulation of osteoclasts. This increase in osteoclast activity leads to bone resorption and destruction, causing painful bone lesions and...
First Movement: Marriage and Exile

This chapter shows that Chaucer initiates his tale by first presenting the conventional form of abandonment: the sovereign father forcing his daughter to marry a stranger. Custance, a figure of the political subject, is married off by the Emperour of Rome to the sultan of Syria. Analyzing a series of gestural expressions and apostrophes, it demonstrates how Chaucer depicts the inner anguish of Custance, evincing sympathy for her. At the same time, Chaucer comments on the political significance of the marriage, criticizing the Emperour for his lack of prudence, the most important political virtue. The marriage provokes a political rebellion with the consequence that Custance is exiled to suffer the ravages of a prolonged sea voyage, alone and unprotected.
An Abstract – Spokescharacters, Advertising Icons, Brand Mascots, and Animal Ambassadors: Distinctions Amongst Brand Characters

Individuals easily assign personality traits to brands and form relationships with brands (Fournier 1998). Brand characters provide the potential for an optimal brand relationship through increased positive emotion, more positive brand personality attributes, positive impact on brand attitude, and an overall greater liking for the brand (Delbaere et al. 2011). Anthropomorphism theory, personification, self-expansion theory, and imagination exploit brand character tactics even further, providing the perception of similarities and mutually beneficial brand relationships (Delbaere et al. 2011; Huang and Mitchell 2014). “There is nothing, in truth, that can’t be anthropomorphized … … the maxims of modern marketing are adopt an animal and feature a creature” (Brown 2010:215). But surprisingly, marketing literature on brand characters has yet to address future research recommendations from over a decade ago (e.g., Callcott and Lee 2004). This research contributes to our better understanding of branding with advertising icons, spokescharacters, and brand mascots, collectively referred to as brand characters throughout this research. Noteworthy contradiction and lacking distinction among these brand character types are highlighted. Current typologies exist, but their categories are overlapping and confusing. Contributory clarity is provided. A more thorough and theoretically sound classification is presented. The inclusion of a distinction between animated characters and real-animal brand characters is deemed necessary. An additional contribution to the brand character literature is provided with the addition of a fourth, real-animal type of brand character, coined, animal ambassadors (e.g., the Aflac Duck; Amos 2010). Brands that employ brand characters should be viewed as a distinct, different kind of brand, and brands that employ animal ambassadors are an even more distinct, different kind of brand. Based upon this proposed notion, recommendations for future research are provided.
Influence and interpretation of intrinsic and extrinsic exercise motives

This study explores the relationships between, and perceptions of, various exercise motivations and exercise adherence. The application of self-determination theory to exercise motivations research has demonstrated the importance of intrinsic motivations, however, the influence of extrinsic motivations has not been thoroughly examined. This study placed exercise motive perceptions along the Organismic Integration Theory’s (OIT) spectrum of motivations, and identified associations between those interpretations and exercise adherence. Participants (812 college students) completed an online survey detailing their exercise motivations and participation. The Exercise Motivations Inventory-2 (EMI-2) was used to measure exercise motivations, and participants provided open-ended explanations for their ratings of each motivational sub-construct. Total exercise scores were calculated by assigning MET values to exercise bouts using the Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses revealed stress management, enjoyment, competition, and weight management as predictors of exercise, and appearance as a negative predictor for females. Analysis of the open-ended motive explanations found participants held diverse perspectives on the health, appearance, weight management, and fitness motivations. The varying interpretations of health and appearance motives ranged across the OIT. Based on motivation theory, they may be conducive to the process of internalization, meaning they may develop into more intrinsic motivations as participants achieve goals and develop a sense of value for the exercise activities. Additional patterns were identified that require further research, including a gap between genders with respect to exercise enjoyment, and the difference between weight management and appearance as predictors of exercise adherence.
Uncertainty quantification in structural dynamic analysis using two-level Gaussian processes and Bayesian inference

Abstract A probabilistic framework for efficient uncertainty quantification in structural dynamic analysis is presented. This framework is built upon the combination of two-level Gaussian processes emulator and Bayesian inference technique. The underlying idea is to employ the two-level Gaussian processes emulator to integrate together small amount of high-fidelity data from full-scale finite element analysis and large amount of low-fidelity data from order-reduced analysis to improve the response variation prediction. As component mode synthesis (CMS) is adopted in order-reduced modeling, we then utilize the improved response variation prediction on modal characteristics to update the CMS model to facilitate the efficient probabilistic analysis of any responses of concern. The effectiveness of this framework is demonstrated through systematic case studies.
Fast processing of join queries with instant response

This research presents an innovative way to process queries without having to perform expensive join and set operations. We propose to store the equi-join relationships of tuples on mass storage devices, such as disks, to facilitate query processing. The equi-join relationships are captured, grouped, and stored as various tables on disks, which are collectively called the Join Core. Queries involving arbitrary legitimate sequences of equi-joins, semi-joins, outer-joins, anti-joins, unions, differences, and intersections can all be answered quickly by merely merging these tables. Without having to perform joins, memory consumptions are dramatically reduced. The Join Core can also be updated dynamically. Preliminary experimental results showed that all test queries began to generate results instantly, and many completed instantly too. The proposed methodology can be very useful for queries with complex joins of large relations, and can be even more advantageous to distributed query processing, as there are fewer or even no relations or intermediate results needed to be retrieved, generated or transferred over the networks.
Lysophosphatidic acid provokes fibroblast chemotaxis through combinatorial regulation of myosin II

Lysophophatidic acid (LPA), a biologically active phospholipid that is ubiquitously present in tissues and organs, provokes cellular responses such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and migration via activation of G-protein coupled receptors. These receptors activate a broad range of intracellular signaling cascades to mediate these responses. Using microfluidic chambers that generate and maintain stable gradients, we observed that chemotaxis of fibroblasts to LPA has higher directional fidelity than chemotaxis provoked by the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligand platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Unlike fast moving amoeboid cells, mesenchymal cells such as fibroblasts do not require PI3K for chemotaxis to a GPCR ligand. In addition, the Arp2/3 complex is not required for fibroblast GPCR-based chemotaxis in either 2D or 3D environments. Our data indicate that combinatorial regulation of myosin II involving global activation by RhoA/ROCK and local inhibition of myosin II at the leading edge by PKC results in highly efficient chemotaxis of fibroblasts to LPA. Based on these observations, we develop a simple mathematical model to explain how dual regulation of myosin II is responsible for enhanced chemotaxis in LPA gradients relative to PDGF. Using pharmacological approaches, we test predictions of this model and modulate the fidelity of LPA and PDGF chemotaxis.
Heritability of root characteristics affecting mineral uptake in tall fescue

Modification of plant roots can potentially increase the area of adaptation of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Limited information is available on the heritability of root diameter and root volume in tall fescue. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with 50 random ‘Kentucky 31’ (Ky-31) tall fescue parents and their progeny grown in aerated nutrient solution during four separate time intervals. Measurements of root volume, root diameter, shoot Mg concentration, and shoot K/(Mg + Ca) ratio were made six weeks after clonal material was transplanted in nutrient solution. Heritability estimates for root volume, root diameter, shoot Mg concentration, and shoot K/(Mg + Ca) ratios were determined. Broad sense heritabilities were 0.60, 0.65, 0.32, and 0.58 for root volume, root diameter, Mg concentration, and K/(Mg + Ca) ratios, respectively. Narrow sense heritabilities were 0.41, 0.18, 0.19, and 0.58.
Ultrastructure of compression wood in Ginkgo biloba

Compression wood in the ancient Ginkgo biloba differs from that in most of the younger gymnosperms in the more angular outline of its tracheids, their thinner walls, and their lack of helical cavities. Both normal and compression woods of Ginkgo contain two types of tracheids, one wide, with a thin wall, and another, narrow, with a thicker wall. In all other respects the compression wood tracheids in Ginkgo are ultrastructurally similar to those in other gymnosperms. Helical cavities probably developed relatively late in the evolution of compression wood, since they are missing not only in Ginkgo but also in the Taxales and the Araucariaceae. The occurrence of compression wood in Ginkgo biloba indicates that this tissue probably has existed since the Devonean period. Very likely, the arborescent habit of the gymnosperms has always been dependent on their ability to form compression wood.
Initial Experience with Narcotic-Free Ureteroscopy: A Feasibility Analysis.

Abstract Background and Purpose: In the United States, there is an opioid abuse epidemic fueled by prescription medications. Concerns that uncontrolled pain after surgical procedures will result in...
Grounding language acquisition by training semantic parsers using captioned videos.

We develop a semantic parser that is trained in a grounded setting using pairs of videos captioned with sentences. This setting is both data-efficient, requiring little annotation, and similar to the experience of children where they observe their environment and listen to speakers. The semantic parser recovers the meaning of English sentences despite not having access to any annotated sentences. It does so despite the ambiguity inherent in vision where a sentence may refer to any combination of objects, object properties, relations or actions taken by any agent in a video. For this task, we collected a new dataset for grounded language acquisition. Learning a grounded semantic parser — turning sentences into logical forms using captioned videos — can significantly expand the range of data that parsers can be trained on, lower the effort of training a semantic parser, and ultimately lead to a better understanding of child language acquisition.
A gold nanoparticle system for the enhancement of radiotherapy and simultaneous monitoring of reactive-oxygen-species formation

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are known to sensitize cancer cells to radiation therapy (RT) by increasing the deposition of ionizing energy in their immediate vicinity. However, this process of dose enhancement is challenging to monitor because it is heterogeneous at the sub-cellular scale. Furthermore, radiation damage is primarily mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are produced following water radiolysis. Here, radiation-responsive PEGylated gold nanoparticles (RPAuNPs) were synthesized for the enhanced generation and concurrent detection of ROS in cancer cells and tumors. PEGylated gold particles (20 nm diameter) were functionalized with dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR-123), a known ROS sensor, to monitor ROS generation in their immediate vicinity. These NPs were able to effectively radiosensitize cells, as measured by increased cell apoptosis following RT. Furthermore, the fluorescence of these RPAuNPs was 7-fold higher after 6 Gy RT due to the local production of ROS near the surface of the NP. Finally, multispectral fluorescence imaging was used to monitor NP-induced ROS in vivo, following conformal RT, in a xenograft model of breast cancer. This theranostic NP system provides a novel approach for monitoring the nanoscale enhancement of RT by high-Z metal NPs.
Combined Electron-Diffraction, Spectroscopic, and Theoretical Determination of the Structure of N-Deuterio-trans-Methyldiazene, CH3N═ND. Conformational Effects of the N═N Double Bond

Gas phase electron-diffraction (GED) data obtained at a nozzle-tip temperature of 273 K have been combined with spectroscopic vibrational-rotational constants to determine the structure of trans-methyldiazene, an important prototype for the N═N double bond. The N-deuterio form CH3N═ND was used in the study since it is appreciably more stable than CH3N═NH. Both the theoretical and experimental results are consistent with a planar C s trans-CNND framework. The experimental results ( rα0/ rg273) are 1.465(2)/1.467(2) A for the CN bond, 1.248(1)/1.251(1) A for the N═N double bond, and 1.037(17)/1.048(17) A for the ND bond. The NND angle is 105.9(20)/105.6(20)° and the CNN angle is 112.4(5)/112.2(5)°, where the uncertainties in parentheses are twice the standard deviation from a simultaneous least-squares fit of the GED and microwave data. For the methyl group, both theory and experiment indicate that two CH bonds are symmetrically arranged out of the molecular plane while the third CH' lies in the plane in an eclipsed (not staggered) cis-H'CNN arrangement. Theoretical calculations (B3LYP/cc-PVnZ and CCSD(T)/cc-PVnZ) suggest a slight distortion of the methyl group, with a tilt of the methyl top axis about 5° away from the N═N bond. The experimental data are consistent with this picture but are equally consistent with an undistorted methyl group. Inclusion of distortions predicted by theory in a complete basis set limit (CBS) lead to a preferred analysis with average values of 1.086(5)/1.106(5) A for the CH bond length and an average HCH angle of 108.3(8)/107.8(8)°. Features of the structure of methyldiazene and related compounds are discussed. It is found that the short N═N bond length in the diazenes produces much greater steric repulsion than in analogous ethylene compounds and this effect leads to some interesting conformational and distortion differences for attached CH3 groups.
A Cross-sectional Study of Cancer Knowledge and Beliefs Among Faith-based Chinese in the USA Versus Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES This study examined cancer knowledge, beliefs, and practice among faith-based Chinese in the USA versus Taiwan to gain better understandings on how environment and culture might play a role for tailored cancer education programs. METHODS A self-administered survey included a validated 10-item Cancer Screening Belief Scale (CSBS), an 8-item Cancer Screening Knowledge Test (CSKT), and a 14-item cancer Warning Signs Test (CWST) was administered. Participants were recruited from 9 Chinese churches (5 in the USA and 4 in Taiwan). RESULTS A total of 372 Chinese participated, 50% lived in the USA and 50% in Taiwan. Mean age was 44.31 (standard deviation, 14.74), 60% males, and majority had college education (85%). Taiwan participants scored higher on both CSKT (6.13 vs. 5.52; p<0.001) and CWST (6.80 vs. 5.38; p<0.001). Although perceived screening benefits and barriers were similar, Taiwan participants endorsed higher on screening norms (11.67 vs. 10.82; p<0.001). Taiwan participants also indicated more doctor recommending cancer screenings (42.1% vs. 29.6%; p=0.015), USA participants were more likely to have had annual health exams (65.4% vs. 48.9%; p=0.002). Regression results showed that those resided in the USA were 2.38 times more likely to report annual health exams. Married status (odds ratio [OR], 2.85), college education (OR, 2.38), doctor's recommendation (OR, 2.87), no family cancer history (OR, 2.47), and those with lower barriers were significant factors on annual health exams. CONCLUSIONS Taiwan participants scored higher on cancer knowledge and screening norms, while more USA participants reported annual health exams. Taiwan's universal healthcare might play a role on the different healthcare seeking patterns.
Resource Management for Uninterrupted Microgrid Operation

To meet the ever-increasing demand of electric power, microgrids are establishing themselves to be one of the most reliable power delivery systems. Microgrids can deliver power efficiently, cost-effectively and environment-friendly. To design a sustainable microgrid; several tasks such as resource allocation, optimization, power flow analyses, load demand analysis, cost analysis, etc., needs to be performed for a sustainable operation. The system should be able to process periodically a plethora of data originating from various sensors and measurement units. The system needs to process the data and then deliver appropriate control signals when some changes in the system occurs. Cloud computing can be an efficient way to handle this huge data processing task to meet various microgrid operational needs. It will also eliminate the need for a local macro server and thus will reduce the overall cost of the microgrid operation.
Role of endolysosomes and inter-organellar signaling in brain disease

Endosomes and lysosomes (endolysosomes) are membrane bounded organelles that play a key role in cell survival and cell death. These acidic intracellular organelles are the principal sites for intracellular hydrolytic activity required for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Endolysosomes are involved in the degradation of plasma membrane components, extracellular macromolecules as well as intracellular macromolecules and cellular fragments. Understanding the physiological significance and pathological relevance of endolysosomes is now complicated by relatively recent findings of physical and functional interactions between endolysosomes with other intracellular organelles including endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, plasma membranes, and peroxisomes. Indeed, evidence clearly indicates that endolysosome dysfunction and inter-organellar signaling occurs in different neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disease (HAND), Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as various forms of brain cancer such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). These findings open new areas of cell biology research focusing on understanding the physiological actions and pathophysiological consequences of inter-organellar communication. Here, we will review findings of others and us that endolysosome de-acidification and dysfunction coupled with impaired inter-organellar signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of AD, HAND, PD, and GBM. A more comprehensive appreciation of cell biology and inter-organellar signaling could lead to the development of new drugs to prevent or cure these diseases.
Efficacy of Multi-Modal Migraine Prophylaxis Therapy on Hyperacusis Patients.

Objectives:To evaluate the efficacy of a multi-modal migraine prophylaxis therapy for patients with hyperacusis.Methods:In a prospective cohort, patients with hyperacusis were treated with a multi-...
Benzodiazepine misuse among adults receiving psychiatric treatment.

Abstract Benzodiazepines are among the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications and have the potential for misuse. People with psychiatric disorders may have a heightened liability to the reinforcing effects of benzodiazepines. Yet, the prevalence of benzodiazepine misuse in psychiatric care settings is not well characterized. The aim of the current study was to characterize the prevalence and correlates of benzodiazepine misuse in a sample of adults receiving psychiatric treatment (N = 589). The majority of participants reported a lifetime history of benzodiazepine prescription (68%) and 26% reported a lifetime history of misuse (defined as use without a prescription or at a dose or frequency higher than prescribed). Multivariable analyses indicated that history of a benzodiazepine prescription and drug use problems were significantly associated with lifetime benzodiazepine misuse. People with a history of benzodiazepine prescription had four times higher odds of misusing benzodiazepines and the primary source of misused benzodiazepines was from family or friends. Results suggest that benzodiazepine misuse is not exclusive to substance use disorder populations. The misuse of benzodiazepines should be assessed in psychiatric settings. Further research is needed to understand the impact of benzodiazepine misuse in this population and to develop tools to identify those at risk for misuse.
Racial differences in development of immune-related adverse events.

e15148Background: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are caused by non-specific immune system activation and develop in 30-70% of patients. The goal of...
Physical Activity Opportunities of Low‐Income Elementary School‐Aged Children During the Segmented School Day

BACKGROUND In this study, we examined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of children in a school district serving children from low-income and minority households. METHODS This observational study was conducted in 8 rural elementary schools in South Carolina. Children (N = 719, age = 7.7 years, 48.0% girls, 88.0% African American) wore accelerometers during school hours. Physical activity was distilled into time engaged in MVPA during 4 distinct opportunities. These 4 opportunities were non-activity time (eg, class-time), extended lunch (lunch recess after eating), physical education (PE), and recess. Mixed effects linear regressions estimated MVPA on days that had no activity opportunities, extended lunch, recess, PE, and multiple activity opportunities (eg, PE and recess). RESULTS On days with multiple activity opportunities, girls and boys accumulated 8.0 (95% CI = 4.9, 11.1) and 7.1 (95% CI = 3.6, 10.7) additional minutes of MVPA compared to a no activity day. On PE days boys accumulated 5.2 (95% CI = 0.3, 10.2) additional minutes of MVPA, whereas recess days provided girls with 3.0 (95% CI = 0.1, 6.0) additional MVPA minutes. No other activity opportunities provided statistically significant increases in school-day MVPA. CONCLUSIONS In low-income schools it may be necessary to provide multiple physical activity opportunities during the school day to increase boys' and girls' MVPA.
Detection of Malicious Consumer Interest Packet while Mitigating Content Poisoning Attack with Name-Key Based Forwarding and Multipath Forwarding Based Inband Probe

Recently, Content-Centric Networking (CCN) has emerged as a next-generation network and is considered a promising network architecture for the future. A lot needs to be done in CCN in areas of Security, Privacy, and Access Control. There are many vulnerabilities in this architecture which can be exploited by the attacker. One of the research areas that needs attention is the detection and mitigation mechanism of Content Poisoning Attack. This attack isolates the legit contents from the network and propagates the fake or malicious content to the consumer. In this work, we use Name-Key Based Forwarding and Multipath Forwarding Based Inband Probe to mitigate the attack with the ‘novel’ additional security feature. The experimental results show that the integration of additional security features with Name-Key Based Forwarding and Multipath Forwarding Based Inband Probe is quite efficient for mitigating the Content Poisoning Attack and also prevents malicious consumers from flooding the network with unwanted reporting packet.
A sensor-based application for road conditions detection: poster abstract

Road conditions affect the safety of road users as potholes may cause traffic accidents. We design and implement a sensor-based application for road conditions detection. The sensor device includes a GPS NEO-6M module to get the pothole locations and an MPU-92/65 module as accelerometer and gyroscope sensor, which are attached to a NodeMCU ESP8266. We use REST API as the web service to connect the sensor device and users, who will access the information using the Android application on their smartphones. To cluster the acquired data, we use the k-means clustering algorithm. The algorithm clusters data into deep, medium and shallow potholes.
Opening up during COVID19 Lockdown: Trajectory of Social Responsibilities of Academics during COVID-19 Period

Welcome to the Global Postcards column! We have two postcards for you in this issue. The first shares the details of a pan-African project that offered online LIS courses during the COVID-19 lockdo...
Theoretical Efficiency for Triplers Using Real Varister Diodes at Submillimeter Wavelengths

The theoretical efficiency for frequency triplers from 300 to 900 GHz has been calculated for real GaAs Schottky diodes operating in the varister mode. The maximum efficiency is determined to be about 7%, only slightly smaller than that for ideal varisters. Guidelines for optimum bias conditions and embedding network impedances have been determined using the large signal analysis computer program of Siegel and Kerr.
Pentecostal Theology: Retrospect and Prospect

Due to its vast geographic and numerical expansion, pentecostalism exhibits many of the contextual complexities of a global religious tradition. Therefore, the topic ‘pentecostal theology’ can easily succumb to death by a thousand qualifications. At the same time, there are concrete historical developments and sufficient theological commonalities that allow for a survey that does not underestimate the many variations of pentecostal theology. First, I trace the developments of the ‘three waves’ of pentecostalism. I briefly discuss some of their respective major figures and theological emphases. While the term ‘three waves’ has become a standard designation for recounting the phases of pentecostal history and theology, the rise of academic theology within first-wave pentecostalism defies some of the schema’s categorizations. Therefore, I, second, trace this turn to academic theology. From their early creation of Bible schools to their more recent attainment of advanced training in religious studies, first-wave pentecostals demonstrate an increasing interest in obtaining terminal theological training. Some of the most recent of these scholars are the first within first-wave pentecostalism to take up systematic/constructive theology. While they have produced a significant amount of literature since the beginning of the 1990s, they have yet to receive extensive scholarly assessment. Therefore, I, third, introduce some major pentecostal systematic/constructive theologians.