cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modified one-at-a-time optimization

An optimization method has been developed that searches one variable at a time under the conditions that previously searched variables are at their approximate optimum and variables to be searched later are constant. This method provides the optimum and also information on the effects of the variables. The method is based on the Partan and Powell methods and on assuming linear partial derivatives of the objective function with respect to any given variable. The procedure involves searching each variable separately with other variables either constant or varied so that they remain at their estimated optimum for the given conditions. This method provides useful information on the effects of independent variables as well as locating the overall optimum and a number of partial optimums and requires a comparable number of trials.
Regulatory Circuits of the AAA+ Disaggregase Hsp104

Yeast Hsp104 is an AAA+ chaperone that rescues proteins from the aggregated state. Six protomers associate to form the functional hexamer. Each protomer contains two AAA+ modules, NBD1 and NBD2. Hsp104 converts energy provided by ATP into mechanical force used to thread polypeptides through its axial channel, thereby disrupting protein aggregates. But how the action of its 12 AAA+ domains is co-ordinated to catalyze disaggregation remained unexplained. Here, we identify a sophisticated allosteric network consisting of three distinct pathways that senses the nucleotide state of AAA+ modules and transmits this information across the Hsp104 hexamer. As a result of this communication, NBD1 and NBD2 each adopt two distinct conformations (relaxed and tense) that are reciprocally regulated. The key element in the network is the NBD1-ATP state that enables Hsp104 to switch from a barely active [RT] state to a highly active [TR] state. This concerted switch involves both cis and trans protomer interactions and provides Hsp104 with the mechanistic scaffold to catalyze disaggregation. It prepares the chaperone for polypeptide binding and activates NBD2 to generate the power strokes required to resolve protein aggregates. ATP hydrolysis in NBD1 resolves the high affinity [TR] state and switches the chaperone back into the low affinity [RT] state. Our model integrates previously unexplained observations and provides the first comprehensive map of nucleotide-related allosteric signals in a class-1 AAA+ protein.
Radiation characteristics of a flexible bow-tie antenna

This paper presents simulation and measurement of a flexible bow-tie which is fabricated at the Flexible Display Center (FDC) of Arizona State University (ASU). The substrate is heat stabilized polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) which allows the antenna to be flexible. The antenna is flexed in the form of a cylinder and its radiation properties are obtained for different radii of curvature. The return loss, radiation patterns and realized gain of the flexed antenna were compared with those of the flat antenna.
ATP mediates flow-induced NO production in thick ascending limbs

Mechanical stimulation caused by increasing flow induces nucleotide release from many cells. Luminal flow and extracellular ATP stimulate production of nitric oxide (NO) in thick ascending limbs. H...
Shared-distribution hidden Markov models for speech recognition

A shared-distribution hidden Markov model (HMM) is presented for speaker-independent continuous speech recognition. The output distributions across different phonetic HMMs are shared with each other when they exhibit acoustic similarity. This sharing provides the freedom to use a larger number of Markov states for each phonetic model. Although an increase in the number of states will increase the total number of free parameters, with distribution sharing one can collapse redundant states while maintaining necessary ones. The shared-distribution model reduced the word error rate on the DARPA Resource Management task by 20% in comparison with the generalized-triphone model. >
Fermionic isocurvature perturbations

Isocurvature perturbations in the inflationary literature typically involve quantum fluctuations of bosonic field degrees of freedom. In this work, we consider isocurvature perturbations from fermionic quantum fluctuations during inflation. When a stable massive fermion is coupled to a nonconformal sector different from the scalar metric perturbations, observably large amplitude scale invariant isocurvature perturbations can be generated. In addition to the computation of the isocurvature two-point function, an estimate of the local non-Gaussianities is also given and found to be promising for observations in a corner of the parameter space. The results provide a new class of cosmological probes for theories with stable massive fermions. On the technical side, we explicitly renormalize the composite operator in curved spacetime and show that gravitational Ward identities play an important role in suppressing certain contributions to the fermionic isocurvature perturbations.
Body temperature during low tide alters the feeding performance of a top intertidal predator

Although the direct effects of climate change on species distribution and abundance have become increasingly apparent, considerably less is known about the potential for thermal variations to influence community structure indirectly through altered species interactions. We examined how the low tide body temperature of the rocky intertidal sea star Pisaster ochraceus affected the rate at which this keystone species fed on the mussel Mytilus californianus. Patterns of intertidal distribution and sea star body temperatures were recorded in the field at Bodega Bay, California, in 2006 and 2007. Under controlled laboratory conditions, we separately examined the roles of short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) exposures to high aerial body temperatures in driving patterns of feeding and growth. Upper limits to thermal tolerance were also quantified in the laboratory. Integrating field data on the vertical distribution, microhabitat, and body temperature of sea stars indicated that individuals typically experienced relatively high body temperatures over a series of short periods of time (acute exposures of a few days) and that they escaped from situations where they would have experienced such temperatures for longer periods (chronic exposure). Although sea stars never approached their upper thermal limit (35uC), laboratory trials demonstrated that chronic exposure to realistic peak aerial body temperatures ($23uC) negatively affected both feeding and growth rates, whereas acute exposure had positive consequences on feeding rates but no effects on growth. Variations in aerial body temperature, and more specifically the frequency of exposure to high body temperatures, can influence interaction strength in this important predator–prey system.
Nuclear Receptor Agonists As Potential Differentiation Therapy Agents for Human Osteosarcoma

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate whether nuclear receptor agonists can be used as potential differentiation therapy agents for human osteosarcoma. Experimental Design: Four osteosarcoma cell lines (143B, MNNG/HOS, MG-63, and TE-85) were treated with proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, troglitazone and ciglitazone, and a retinoid X receptor (RXR) ligand, 9-cis retinoic acid. The proliferation and induction of apoptosis in the treated cells were assessed, as was the induction of alkaline phosphatase, a differentiation marker of osteoblasts. Results: The expression of PPAR was readily detected in all tested osteosarcoma lines. On treatment with the PPAR and RXR ligands, all four osteosarcoma lines exhibited a significantly reduced proliferation rate and cell viability. Among the four lines, 143B and MNNG/HOS were shown to be more sensitive to ligand-induced apoptosis, as demonstrated by the Crystal Violet and Hoechst staining assays. Of the three tested ligands, troglitazone was shown to be the most effective in inducing cell death, followed by 9-cis retinoic acid. Moreover, a strong synergistic effect on the induction of cell death was observed when both troglitazone and 9-cis retinoic acid or ciglitazone and 9-cis retinoic acid were administered to osteosarcoma cells. Troglitazone was shown to effectively induce alkaline phosphatase activity, a well-characterized hallmark for osteoblastic differentiation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PPAR and/or RXR ligands may be used as efficacious adjuvant therapeutic agents for primary osteosarcoma, as well as potential chemopreventive agents for preventing the recurrence and metastasis of osteosarcoma after the surgical removal of the primary tumors.
Membranous Nephropathy and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents

Membranous nephropathy presents clinically as nephrotic syndrome, with subepithelial immune complex deposits seen on biopsy. Historically, in about three-quarters of membranous cases, no obvious etiologic agent or condition can be identified. More recently, serum antibodies to the phospholipase A2 receptor have been discovered in many patients with primary/idiopathic membranous nephropathy. About one-quarter of patients have membranous nephropathy as a manifestation of another systemic disorder, such as autoimmune conditions, infection, malignancy, toxin exposure, or drugs (classically gold or penicillamine). In this report, we present a case of recurrent nephrotic syndrome with biopsy-proven membranous nephropathy closely associated with use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) naproxen and piroxicam. Characterization of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass profile of the deposits showed abundant IgG1, weak IgG4, and positive staining for phospholipase A2 receptor. This case serves to highlight membranous nephropathy as an under-recognized renal complication of NSAID use. Other kidney effects of NSAIDs, such as hemodynamic compromise, interstitial nephritis, and minimal change disease, are more broadly recognized.
An intuitive framework for understanding changes in evolving data streams

Many organizations today store large streams of transactional data in real time. This data can often show important changes in trends over time. In many commercial applications, it may be valuable to provide the user with an understanding of the nature of changes occuring over time in the data stream. In this paper, we discuss the process of analysing the significant changes and trends in data streams in a way which is understandable, intuitive and user-friendly.
Glacial ice cores: A model system for developing extraterrestrial decontamination protocols

Evidence gathered from spacecraft orbiting Mars has shown that water ice exists at both poles and may form a large subsurface reservoir at lower latitudes. The recent exploration of the martian surface by unmanned landers and surface rovers, and the planned missions to eventually return samples to Earth have raised concerns regarding both forward and back contamination. Methods to search for life in these icy environments and adequate protocols to prevent contamination can be tested with earthly analogues. Studies of ice cores on Earth have established past climate changes and geological events, both globally and regionally, but only recently have these results been correlated with the biological materials (i.e., plant fragments, seeds, pollen grains, fungal spores, and microorganisms) that are entrapped and preserved within the ice. The inclusion of biology into ice coring research brings with it a whole new approach towards decontamination. Our investigations on ice from the Vostok core (Antarctica) have shown that the outer portion of the cores have up to 3 and 2 orders of magnitude higher bacterial density and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) than the inner portion of the cores, respectively, as a result of drilling and handling. The extreme gradients that exist between the outer and inner portion of these samples make contamination a very relevant aspect of geomicrobiological investigations with ice cores, particularly when the actual numbers of ambient bacterial cells are low. To address this issue and the inherent concern it raises for the integrity of future investigations with ice core materials from terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments, we employed a procedure to monitor the decontamination process in which ice core surfaces are painted with a solution containing a tracer microorganism, plasmid DNA, and fluorescent dye before sampling. Using this approach, a simple and direct method is proposed to verify the authenticity of geomicrobiological results obtained from ice core materials. Our protocol has important implications for the design of life detection experiments on Mars and the decontamination of samples that will eventually be returned to Earth.
Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) sawyeri, a new anopheline mosquito from Ceara, Brazil

Publicado originalmente em Annals of the Entomological Society of America, v. 36, n. 1, p. 11-20, 1943
Comparative Impact of Artificial Selection for Fungicide Resistance on Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium brunneum

Hypocreales fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium brunneum Petch can be negatively affected by fungicides thereby reducing their biocontrol potential. In a previous study, we demonstrated enhanced fungicide resistance in B. bassiana through artificial selection. However, it is not clear if the enhanced resistance was because of improved germination, vegetative growth, or both. Additionally, the enhanced fungicide resistance has only been demonstrated in B. bassiana, and therefore it is of interest to investigate the potential to enhance resistance in other fungi. Thus, the objectives in this study were to determine the potential to enhance fungicide resistance in M. brunneum through artificial selection, and investigate if selection is based on germination, vegetative growth, or both in B. bassiana and M. brunneum. Selection for resistance to fenbuconazole, and triphenyltin hydroxide was assessed through inhibition evaluations on solid media, and germination and mycelial growth in liquid media. Increased resistance after selection was observed for all fungicide-fungus combinations on solid and or liquid media. Selection resulted in increased resistance to fenbuconazole in both fungi in solid and liquid media; in liquid culture fungicide resistance in B. bassiana was manifested by increased germination and mycelial growth, whereas in M. brunneum fungicide resistance concerned only mycelial growth. Selection for resistance to triphenyltin hydroxide varied in the different media. For B. bassiana, triphenyltin hydroxide resistance was enhanced on solid media but not in liquid, whereas enhanced resistance of M. brunneum was detected in both media. Fungicide sensitivity and selection potential differs based on the medium and fungal species. Selection for fungicide resistance, had negative effects on other beneficial traits when fungicide pressure was removed, for example, some selected populations showed decreased germination or growth, relative to their nonselected control populations. Additionally, reduced virulence to the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.), was observed in all fungal populations that were exposed to fungicide resistance regimes. We conclude that it is possible to use genetic selection to enhance fungicide resistance in B. bassiana and M. brunneum, but before use the resulting populations should be screened for inadvertent negative impacts on beneficial traits.
Making Standards Stick: A Theory of Coupled vs. Decoupled Compliance

This paper presents an inductive account of how two divisions of the same corporation sought to standardize their engineering work. Although both groups achieved ISO 9000 certification, each was guided by historical antecedents and internal processes that left different legacies: a culture of cynicism and chaotic work practices in one division vis-a-vis a system of standardized work practices that are voluntarily (and often enthusiastically) followed in the other. The contrasting cases shed light on what happens when an external standard is adopted by an organization, converted into a formal directive, and then confronted by the norms and practices of an existing occupational community. More generally, the paper articulates how three common modes of social regulation—standards, directives, and norms—are interconnected in the process of implementing a standard in an organization, and the conditions under which institutional exigencies are either decoupled from or tightly coupled to technical work.
Transposable element evolution in Heliconius suggests genome diversity within Lepidoptera

Background Transposable elements (TEs) have the potential to impact genome structure, function and evolution in profound ways. In order to understand the contribution of transposable elements (TEs) to Heliconius melpomene, we queried the H. melpomene draft sequence to identify repetitive sequences.
Designed molecular mechanics using self-associating polymers

Understanding how properties of complex, sequenced (bio)macromolecules derive from structural components is currently a dynamic field of research, and is one that has incredible potential to provide principles governing the development of novel materials with improved or tailored properties. Here, we explore the mechanical response of single self-associating polymers using a combination of simulation and theory, and articulate how they could be used as fundamental “units” in material design. In particular, we study chains with two different structural motifs: a randomly arranged polymer globule and a polymer arranged in a helical structure, both of which appear in biological systems. Our results show that by tuning the self-association characteristics (e.g. binding time scales) and the particular structural motifs one can precisely tailor the mechanical response of such chains. Furthermore, we demonstrate that by coupling multiple units it is possible to “design” de-novo systems that exhibit novel and predictable force-extension behavior. Our results have important consequences for understanding many biological systems, as well as for designing synthetic materials with prescribed mechanical characteristics.
Does percutaneous coronary intervention compromise the outcome of subsequent coronary artery bypass grafting

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has traditionally been used as first-line therapy for limited coronary artery disease while coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been the mainstay of therapy for patients with more advanced multivessel and left main disease. With the more frequent use
Physical Principles of Flashover Current Pulse Formation

Orbital environment causes differential charging of exposed spacecraft surfaces. The magnitude of potential difference depends on solar array operational voltage and spacecraft design in the case of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and it may exceed hundred volts for a modern spacecraft. Energetic electrons and solar UV radiation generate much higher differential charging (up to a few kilovolts) in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO). Due to close proximity of differentially charged elements the electric field strength reaches enormously high magnitudes, which create the possibility of electrostatic discharge. Such electrostatic discharges (arcs) on the surface of a solar array are unwanted events because of their possible detrimental effects. Anticipated damages to the power system caused by arcs depend on the arc current pulse parameters. The results of theoretical analysis and several ground experiments revealed that the probability of significant damage was rather low. However, primary arcs located in the area of a triple junction (conductor-dielectricplasma) may cause a gradual decrease in the solar array efficiency, electromagnetic interference, electronic equipment malfunctions, and contamination of sensitive scientific devices. Nomenclature C = capacitance per area, F/m 2 E = electric field strength, V/m H = array width, m I = current, A L = distance, m Q = electric charge, C R = distance from arc, m S = area, m 2 U = voltage, V l = array length, m t = time, s v = plasma front speed, m/s τ = pulse width, s
COMPARE: Pharmacokinetic profiles of subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a and subcutaneous interferon beta-1a over 2 weeks in healthy subjects.

Aim Subcutaneous (s.c.) peginterferon beta-1a injected once every 2 weeks and s.c. interferon beta-1a injected three times per week (Rebif®) have demonstrated efficacy in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, but direct comparisons of pharmacological activity and tolerability between the two products are lacking. COMPARE was an open label, crossover, pharmacokinetic (PK) study evaluating drug exposure and the safety and tolerability of s.c. peginterferon beta-1a and s.c. interferon beta-1a, over 2 weeks in healthy subjects. Methods Thirty healthy subjects received one dose of peginterferon beta-1a (125 μg s.c.) or six doses of interferon beta-1a (44 μg s.c.) over 2 weeks, followed by the alternate treatment after a 2 week washout period. Drug concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and PK parameters including cumulative area under the concentration–time curve (AUC0-336h) over 2 weeks and maximum observed serum concentrations (Cmax) were estimated using a non-compartmental analysis. Results The PK analysis population comprised 26 subjects for each treatment. Drug exposure (AUC0-336h) was 60% higher with s.c. peginterferon than with s.c. interferon beta-1a (117.4 ng ml−1h, 95% confidence interval 95.6, 144.3 vs. 73.1 ng ml−1 h, 95% confidence interval 61.2, 87.3, respectively; P < 0.0001). Injection-site reactions (ISRs) were the most common adverse events (AEs) observed with both treatments. Numerically lower frequencies and incidence rates of ISRs, headache, myalgia and chills were observed with s.c. peginterferon beta-1a. Conclusions One dose of s.c. peginterferon delivered significantly greater drug exposure than s.c. interferon beta-1a three times a week over 2 weeks, and a lower frequency of AEs.
Mechanisms of resistance for Streptococcus pyogenes in northern Utah.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to 1) determine the rates of penicillin and erythromycin resistance among Streptococcus pyogenes isolates in northern Utah, and 2) determine the genotype of the erythromycin resistant strains, thereby providing information regarding the mechanism of the resistance. DESIGN: Seven hundred thirty-nine isolates of S. pyogenes were identified on 5% Sheep Blood Agar. Susceptibility to erythromycin and penicillin was performed using Muller-Hinton blood agar. All isolates resistant to erythromycin were then genotyped using PCR primers specific to one of the following: mefA gene, indicating the mechanism of resistance was an efflux pump; ermA gene, in which the mechanism was inducible methylation of the ribosomes; and ermB indicating constitutive methylation of the ribosomes. LOCATION: This study was conducted at Weber State University, in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. PATIENT SAMPLES: Samples were collected from 9 clinics ranging from North Ogden to Taylorsville, Utah. All samples were previously tested positive for S. pyogenes by the clinic from where the samples were collected. RESULTS: Of the 739 S. pyogenes isolates tested, 2.4% were resistant to erythromycin with no resistance observed to penicillin. Of the strains that displayed some degree of resistance, the gene frequencies observed were as follows: 48.1% mefA, 26.0% ermA, 3.7% ermB, and 22.2% multiple genes. CONCLUSION: The most common genotype was mefA, indicating that the efflux pump (M phenotype) is the most common mechanism in the surveyed area, followed by ermA, which produces the inducible methylating enzyme. A significant number of isolates was also observed to express both the efflux pump and the constitutive methylating enzyme. ABBREVIATIONS:ATCC = American Type Culture Collection; CLS = clinical laboratory science; CLSI = Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute; IU = international unit; MLSB = macrolide, lincosamide, streptogrammin B; PCR = polymerase chain reaction; SBA= sheep blood agar; WSU = Weber State University.
Tetralogy of Fallot with abnormal coronary artery: 1967 to 1977

From 1967 to 1977, 25 of 250 children undergoing complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot had an abnormal coronary artery identified at operation. Eight (Group I) had classical anomalous coronary artery, and 17 (Group 2) had a large aberrant artery in addition to a smaller, normally positioned artery. All 25 patients required surgical procedures different from those routinely employed in tetralogy of Fallot repair. These included a “tailored” ventriculotomy, double incision, and accessory right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit. After identification of a parallel (smaller) coronary artery, the anomalous coronary artery was ligated in three. Two patients (Group 2) died following the operation, both with “tailored” incisions. These were two of the four with high residual right ventricular pressure. Survivors have done well clinically for at least 1 year. Postoperative catheterization has shown high residual right ventricular pressure in two patients and an insignificant residual ventricular septal defect in four patients; none has required reoperation.
Alotanypus wilhelmensis sp. nov., a new Tanypodinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from high mountain lakes in Papua New Guinea

A new species of Alotanypus Roback from high mountain lakes in Papua New Guinea is described and illustrated. Alotanypus wilhelmensis sp. nov. is described from male, female and pupa. The generic diagnoses for the male and immature stages are emended based on the new species and published descriptions of Gressittius and Guassutanypus, both recently suggested as junior synonyms of Alotanypus. Keys to known males, pupae and larvae of Alotanypus are provided.
Power/Performance Based Scalability Comparisons between Conventional and Novel Transistors Down to 32nm Technology Node

We quantify and compare the scalability of bulk, partially depleted SOI, and double gate transistors with and without high-k gate dielectric down to 32 nm technology node in terms of globally optimized power/performance curves. The novelty of work is in that it provides a quantitative tool to determine the suitable insertion point for novel transistor schemes. It also addresses optimum supply/threshold voltage, gate dielectric thickness, and doping concentration scaling, unique to different devices and circuit functional blocks
Indirect Realism with a Human Face

Epistemic Indirect Realism (EIR) is the position that justification for contingent propositions about the extra-mental world requires an inference based on a subjective, experiential mental state. One objection against EIR is that it runs contrary to common sense and practice; in essence, ordinary people do not form beliefs about things in the external world on the basis of experiential mental states. This objection implies EIR is contrary to ordinary experience, impractical, and leads to scepticism. In this paper, I will defend EIR against this objection by distinguishing EIR based on conceptual awareness and non-conceptual awareness. In particular, I will argue that direct acquaintance provides sufficient (non-conceptual) awareness that can explain how ordinary folks are capable of forming justified beliefs about the external world in a way consistent with EIR. Overall, I present a framework for showing that EIR can satisfy ordinary epistemic practices without betraying human nature or over-intellectualizing the required epistemic standards for possessing a justified belief.
Coordination-induced weakening of ammonia, water, and hydrazine X–H bonds in a molybdenum complex

Although scores of transition metal complexes incorporating ammonia or water ligands have been characterized over the past century, little is known about how coordination influences the strength of the nitrogen-hydrogen and oxygen-hydrogen bonds. Here we report the synthesis of a molybdenum ammonia complex supported by terpyridine and phosphine ligands that lowers the nitrogen-hydrogen bond dissociation free energy from 99.5 (gas phase) to an experimentally measured value of 45.8 kilocalories per mole (agreeing closely with a value of 45.1 kilocalories per mole calculated by density functional theory). This bond weakening enables spontaneous dihydrogen evolution upon gentle heating, as well as the hydrogenation of styrene. Analogous molybdenum complexes promote dihydrogen evolution from coordinated water and hydrazine. Electrochemical and theoretical studies elucidate the contributions of metal redox potential and ammonia acidity to this effect.
An experimentally validated computational model for progressive damage analysis of notched oxide/oxide woven ceramic matrix composites

Abstract The focus of this paper is to examine the effect of a notch on the failure response of an oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC) subjected to room-temperature tensile loading. The CMC is made of aluminosilicate matrix reinforced by 3M Nextel™ 610 alumina fibers (AS/N610) that are woven into an eight-harness satin weave (8HSW) preform. Uniaxial tensile tests were carried out on both un-notched and single-edge-notched tensile (SENT) specimens of two different lay-ups, ( 0 / 90 ) S and ( 45 / 0 / - 45 / 0 ) S , using a hydraulically activated load frame. The digital image correlation (DIC) technique was utilized to map the deformation histories and identify the locations of strain concentration for both un-notched and SENT specimens. The experimental results were subsequently used to develop a lamina-level constitutive model for a single 8HSW ply that incorporates damage and fracture mechanics implemented through a finite element (FE) framework. A secant-modulus approach was employed to model the pre-peak nonlinear damage evolution, while the post-peak softening was modeled using the smeared crack approach (SCA). Utilizing the ply properties measured from the un-notched ( 0 / 90 ) S and ( 45 / 0 / - 45 / 0 ) S tension tests, the proposed computational model is able to predict the failure strength and strain localization in the SENT specimens. Such a predictive model can aid in the design of CMC structures and accelerate the development of CMCs for engineering applications.
Optical Phase Measurements of Disorder Strength Link Microstructure to Cell Stiffness

There have been sustained efforts on the part of cell biologists to understand the mechanisms by which cells respond to mechanical stimuli. To this end, many rheological tools have been developed to characterize cellular stiffness. However, measurement of cellular viscoelastic properties has been limited in scope by the nature of most microrheological methods, which require direct mechanical contact, applied at the single-cell level. In this article, we describe, to our knowledge, a new analysis approach for quantitative phase imaging that relates refractive index variance to disorder strength, a parameter that is linked to cell stiffness. Significantly, both disorder strength and cell stiffness are measured with the same phase imaging system, presenting a unique alternative for label-free, noncontact, single-shot imaging of cellular rheologic properties. To demonstrate the potential applicability of the technique, we measure phase disorder strength and shear stiffness across five cellular populations with varying mechanical properties and demonstrate an inverse relationship between these two parameters. The existence of this relationship suggests that predictions of cell mechanical properties can be obtained from examining the disorder strength of cell structure using this, to our knowledge, novel, noncontact technique.
Indicator geostatistics for reconstructing Baton Rouge aquifer-fault hydrostratigraphy, Louisiana, USA

The complex siliciclastic aquifer system underneath the Baton Rouge area, Louisiana (USA), is fluvial in origin and is characterized by strongly binary heterogeneity of sand units and mudstones as pervious and impervious hydrofacies. The east–west trending Baton Rouge fault and Denham Springs-Scotlandville fault cut across East Baton Rouge Parish and play an important role in groundwater flow and aquifer salinization. This study reconstructs the Baton Rouge aquifer-fault system architecture for a Miocene-Pliocene depth interval that consists of the 1,200-foot sand to the 2,000-foot sand. The results show the spatial extent of sand units, their interconnections, and flow paths within each sand unit. The regional-scale formation dip, the sand unit offset on the faults, and the volumetric spatial extent of individual sand units are quantified. The study reveals the complexity of the Baton Rouge aquifer-fault system where the sand deposition is non-uniform, different sand units are interconnected, the sand unit displacement on the faults is significant, and the spatial distribution of flow pathways through the faults is sporadic. The identified locations of flow pathways through the Baton Rouge fault provide useful information on possible windows for saltwater intrusion from the south.
International survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cardiologists regarding prevention and management of cardiac implantable electronic device infections.

Background Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can be life-saving. However, complications from CIED infection can be life-threatening, often requiring device removal. Despite publication of CIED infection management guidelines, there remains marked variation in clinical practice. Objective To better understand and quantify these differences, we conducted a multinational survey of practitioners of CIED management. Methods An electronic survey was sent to Heart Rhythm Society members, spanning 70 countries across six continents. All responses were collected anonymously. Results 227 out of 3,600 (6.3%) responded to the survey. The majority of surveys were completed by practitioners from the United States (168; 68.3%) and 53.8% of these practiced in academic medical centers. The large majority (92.7%) of sites had protocols to ensure appropriate timing of prophylactic antibiotics. Superficial (incisional) site infections were treated with antibiotics alone 52.5% of the time (consistent with guidelines); in contrast, deep pocket infections were treated with antibiotics (with device removal) in accordance to guidelines only 37.4% of the time. Almost all providers (98.7%) were inclined to perform complete hardware removal in cases of CIED-related endocarditis. In contrast, 82.2% of survey participants suggested complete CIED system removal in patients with an occult Gram-positive bacteremia, 65.5% with occult Gram-negative bacteremia, and 59.3% with prolonged bacteremia due to a source other than CIED. Conclusions These data suggest wide variability in clinical practice in managing CIED infection with significant deviations from published guidelines. There is critical need to increase awareness and develop institutional protocols to ensure adherence with evidence-based guidelines to optimize outcomes.
Celebrating the past, present, and future of computing

Timothy Lee and Justin Svegliato, two Student SIGAI Scholars, cover The 50 Years of the ACM Turing Award Celebration, which convened in San Francisco last June. The semi-centennial celebration addressed the past, present, and future advancements of computing, ranging from deep learning and ethics to augmented reality and quantum computing.
Online decomposed optimal outage management after natural disasters

This paper proposes an online decomposed optimization method for the outage management of power distribution systems. The paper develops an algorithm that optimally dispatches repair crews to damaged components as well as operates distributed generators (DGs) and automatic switches. The first part of this paper discusses co-optimization of repair crew routing and DG/switch operations. A mixed integer linear program (MILP) model is formulated to co-optimize the two problems. Although direct co-optimization would lead to the best routing and operation strategy, it is difficult to achieve an optimal solution within a reasonable time due to the computational complexity. Furthermore, the network damage states are dynamic as the damaged components are repaired. Therefore, we propose a decomposed online method to solve the co-optimization problem. The proposed method is tested on a modified IEEE 123-bus distribution test system with multiple damages.
Moral Theory in Ethics Across the Curriculum

The problem of the relation of curriculum to practice cannot be dismissed as “merely philosophical”. The problem arises each time a teacher chooses to teach one thing rather than another. It certainly arises when a teacher wishing to teach “ethics” decides to teach moral theory—or decides not to. Which brings me to the subject of this Chapter: What part should moral theory have in ethics across the curriculum? After distinguishing five kinds of ethics across the curriculum, I argue that the part moral theory should have depends on the kind of ethics across the curriculum involved. This chapter is a contribution to a debate that has raged, or at least simmered, for at least a decade.
The Probability That Int n ( D ) Is Free

Let D be a Dedekind domain with quotient field K. The ring of integer-valued polynomials on D is the subring Int(D) = { f ∈ K[X]: f(D) ⊆ D} of the polynomial ring K[X]. The Polya-Ostrowski group PO(D) of D is a subgroup of the class group of D generated by the well-known factorial ideals n! D of D. A regular basis of Int(D) is a D-module basis consisting of one polynomial of each degree. It is well known that Int(D) has a regular basis if and only if the group PO(D) is trivial, if and only if the D-module Int n (D) = { f ∈ Int(D): degf ≤ n} is free for all n. In this paper we provide evidence for and prove special cases of the conjecture that, if PO(D) is finite, then the natural density of the set of nonnegative integers n such that Int n (D) is free exists, is rational, and is at least 1∕ | PO(D) | . Moreover, we compute this density or determine a conjectural value for several examples of Galois number fields of degrees 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 over \(\mathbb{Q}\).
Individual Attributes Generate Contrasting Degrees of Sociality in Voles

Different species of voles (Microtus) live in different mating systems, with prairie and pine voles generally more social and more monogamous than montane and meadow voles. Mating systems are treated as epiphenomena, driven by the actions and adaptations of individual animals. The species differ with respect to morphology, development, male ejaculate capacity, copulatory behavior, parental behavior, and social contact-proneness. Natural selection appears to have acted on suites of traits of individuals and thereby produced contrasting mating systems in the field.
Effect of dietary protein level on nitrogen metabolism in lambs: studies using 15N-nitrogen.

Six wether lambs (31 kg) were randomly assigned to two treatments (three lambs/treatment): a high protein intake (HP; 21 g N/d) or a low protein intake (LP; 12 g N/d). Each lamb received 860 g/d dry matter (DM) of a pelleted diet (75% corn-soybean meal, 25% cottonseed hulls) offered hourly in 24 equal portions. Single injections of 15N-labelled compounds were made into the ruminal NH3-N and blood urea-N pools to measure the rate of flux through, and transfer of N between, these and the bacterial N pool. Total tract digestibilities of DM and N were lower (P less than .05) for the LP than the HP treatment. Abomasal flows of total, feed or bacterial N tended to be greater (P greater than .05) in lambs fed HP than LP. Lambs fed HP excreted more (P less than .01) urinary N, yet retained a greater (P less than .01) amount of N than lambs fed LP (6.2 vs 1.8 and 9.7 vs 4.1 g N/d, respectively). Pool size and production rate for both ruminal NH3-N and blood urea-N were greater (P less than .05) for the HP than LP treatment. Lambs consuming HP degraded more (P less than .05) blood urea-N in the gastro-intestinal tract (13.4 vs 6.9 g N/d); however, lambs fed LP degraded a greater (P less than .05) percentage of synthesized body urea-N (88.7 vs 71.8%). Ruminal NH3-N absorption was greater (P less than .01) for the HP than LP treatment (3.1 vs .5 g N/d). Although the percentage of bacterial N derived from ruminal NH3-N was similar (P greater than .05) between diets (51.1 vs 63.9), a greater (P less than .05) percentage of bacterial N was derived from blood urea-N in lambs fed LP than HP (77.1 vs 30.2%). Lambs fed LP incorporated a greater (P less than .10) amount of blood urea-N into bacterial N than lambs fed HP (5.5 vs 2.6 g N/d). These data are interpreted to suggest that blood urea-N may provide a substantial quantity of N for bacterial protein synthesis and, thus, may be an important source of protein in the deficient animal. In addition, urea recycling may play an important role in the recovery of ruminal NH3-N lost through absorption in animals fed a high level of protein.
The Surgery of Biliary Atresia: Current Investigations

Until the past decade surgical attempts to correct biliary atresia were uniformly unsuccessful. In 1968 a new operation was introduced by Dr. Morio Kasai (1) in which the extrahepatic bile ducts were radically excised and replaced by an intestinal conduit. Dr. Kasai reported success in almost a quarter of his cases. The early American experience with the operation was dismal; the initial reporting institution described not only outright failure in every patient but a suspected shortened life expectancy (2). Because of the widely disparate results, an investigation of Kasai’s operation was instituted under the auspices of the Children’s Clinical Research Center in Denver beginning in 1974.
532 nm Laser Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate

Over the past two decades, 532 nm wavelength laser vaporization has evolved to be a safe and effective alternative to TURP. Laser prostatectomy promises several advantages over TURP, including technical simplicity and the absence or minimization of complications such as intraoperative fluid absorption, bleeding, retrograde ejaculation, impotence, and incontinence. Outcomes data also have demonstrated a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery with improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms. Longer term follow-up in a randomized trial is necessary, but becoming available. Laser prostatectomy can treat larger glands with less physiologic stress, thus allowing treatment of patients with more medical comorbidities, including those on active anticoagulation. Increasingly, practicing urologists are performing laser prostatectomies on patients with symptomatic BPH, and this trend is certain to continue.
Bridging the gap in health systems through task-sharing: A model of PHC workers’ competency for cervical screening

Abstract Background Several developing countries have begun implementing the recently proven ‘Screen and treat’ approach using visual inspection methods and cryotherapy. Nonetheless, a dire lack of established screening programs in Nigeria necessitates proffering effective task sharing to improve the availability of screening at the primary care level thereby making it more accessible to women. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional, analytic design with competency-based training of health workers to underscore the competence of primary healthcare (PHC) workers to perform cervical screening. The degree of agreement for the visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine (VILI) results between the PHC workers and O & G doctors was determined using Kappa statistics, and indices of validity were used to express the accuracy of results. Results Following training, the PHC workers demonstrated a fair to excellent proficiency at the procedures for VIA and VILI, although the phase of VIA/VILI proper was the best performed. The degree of agreement (kappa) between workers for VILI (k - 0.442) and VIA (k - 0.374) was statistically significant (p Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that VIA and VILI as done by trained PHC workers is comparable to those performed by registrars of obstetrics and gynecology, which is in keeping with reports from several other studies. This study thus highlights the value of competency-based training for primary healthcare workers in order to accomplish task sharing for cervical screening using visual inspection methods.
Audit Partner Disclosure in an Environment of a Second Alleged Audit Failure: Remediating the Smoking Gun in Negligence Cases

Recently, the SEC approved a new rule which requires audit firms to disclose the name of the engagement partners (EPs) responsible for audits, thus allowing stakeholders, for the first time to associate not just audit firms, but also specific audit partners, with past audit failures. Plaintiffs are unlikely to ignore the potential influence of this information in alleged audit failure lawsuits in instances of a partner’s second association with audit failure. In light of this, audit firms may find it prudent to undertake substantive actions to avoid a recurrence by the same partner and/or to reduce perceived culpability if a recurrence occurs. Thus, in this study, we investigate how selected audit firms’ compensating actions after a first partner failure (allowing subsequently, specific courtroom defensive tactics) impact negligence assessments and damage awards, in those subsequent second civil action lawsuits. We also examine interactions with selected juror attributes (e.g., education, impulsivity and age) that extensive prior research suggests influence negligence judgments. We find that overall one defensive tactic emerges as best, that more educated jurors render more auditor favorable judgments (except in the one best tactic condition), and that juror’s impulsivity interacts with the two audit firm’s non-optimal remedial actions with preference inversions (i.e., significant ranking differences). Our results are the first to examine in an era of engagement partner disclosure how audit firm responses to past failures incrementally affect future audit firm liability. Our research leverages multiple relevant literatures in attribution theory, impression management, organizational impression management and scientific jury selection, as well as past accounting jury studies.
The origin of animal body plans: a view from fossil evidence and the regulatory genome

The origins and the early evolution of multicellular animals required the exploitation of holozoan genomic regulatory elements and the acquisition of new regulatory tools. Comparative studies of metazoans and their relatives now allow reconstruction of the evolution of the metazoan regulatory genome, but the deep conservation of many genes has led to varied hypotheses about the morphology of early animals and the extent of developmental co-option. In this Review, I assess the emerging view that the early diversification of animals involved small organisms with diverse cell types, but largely lacking complex developmental patterning, which evolved independently in different bilaterian clades during the Cambrian Explosion.
Treatment of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in the Neurocritical Care Unit

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a neurological emergency with a high mortality rate in the acute period and a significant risk of mortality or permanent injury in the weeks following aneurysm rupture. In addition to neurologic injury, the systemic sequelae of aSAH impact multiple organ systems, confounding the treatment of vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. Given the complexity of this disease process, aSAH patients should be cared for by multidisciplinary teams at high-volume centers in dedicated neurocritical care units. Although there is a paucity of high-quality evidence to guide management of aSAH, protocols that reflect the evolving risks these patients face in the hours, days, and weeks following aneurysm rupture can maximize the potential for neurologic recovery. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of these risks and serve as a guide for developing such protocols based on the best available evidence.