cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty quantification of demand response datasets using peridynamics

This paper investigates curve-fitting methods to explore uncertainty quantification approaches for demand fluctuations in a power grid. Specifically, we use data sets from the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM) Interconnection, where we employ two stages of fitting. In stage one, a trigonometric based fit for historical data sets is carried out. In stage two, load forecasting for day-ahead market is developed using peridynamics under uncertainty conditions. The preliminary results from this two-stage approach were promising for resource planning and energy management tasks. This work will allow system operators to capture both stable and non-stable operation early enough to perform planning tasks related to the microgrid.
High-temperature investigation on morphology, phase and size of iron/iron-oxide core–shell nanoclusters for radiation nanodetector

Iron/iron-oxide (Fe–Fe3O4) core–shell nanoclusters (NCs) synthesized by a cluster deposition technique were subjected to a study of their high temperature structural and morphological behavior. Annealing effects have been investigated up to 800 °C in vacuum, oxygen and argon environments. The ~18 nm average size of the as-prepared NCs increases slowly in temperatures up to 500 °C in all three environments. The size increases abruptly in the argon environment but slowly in vacuum and oxygen when annealed at 800 °C. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies have shown that the iron core remains in the core–shell NCs only when they were annealed in the vacuum. A dramatic change in the surface morphology, an island like structure and/or a network like pattern, was observed at the elevated temperature. The as-prepared and annealed samples were analyzed using XRD, scanning electron microscopy and imageJ software for a close inspection of the temperature aroused properties. This work presents the temperature induced size growth mechanism, oxidation kinetics and phase transformation of the NCs accompanied by cluster aggregation, particle coalescence, and diffusion.
What Does in Vivo Optical Imaging Tell Us about the Primary Visual Cortex in Primates

In this chapter I will describe findings related to the functional organization of the primary visual cortex of primates, obtained by using the unique advantages of optical imaging techniques. Two optical imaging methods will be described: optical imaging using voltage-sensitive dyes and optical imaging using intrinsic signals. One method, optical imaging using voltage-sensitive dyes, excels in monitoring the temporal aspects of the functional organization of the cortex, while the other, imaging of intrinsic signals, excels in monitoring the spatial aspects. Thus, the two methods complement each other by enabling high-resolution visualization of the spatial and temporal aspects of the functional organization. This chapter will describe the imaging methods, their applications, and recent findings that have advanced our understanding of the organization of the primary visual cortex.
SPECTROSCOPIC PROBES OF ENZYME-COENZYME-SUBSTRATE COMPLEXES OF ASPARTATE TRANSAMINASES

ABSTRACT. The relationship of structure and function among isozymes, in solution, in a given system is of utmost importance. In glutamate aspartate transaminase the two genetically distinct isozymes, mitochondrial and cytoplasmic, can be probed for variations in the microenvironment of each protein for substrates, inhibitor or coenzyme. As natural probes we utilize the absorbance properties, circular dichroism or the 31 p nmr signal of the active center chromophore, pyridoxal phosphate. Covalent enzyme-substrate complexes with fluorine atoms in specific regions of the substrate can also be prepared. In the latter case the 19 F nmr chemical shift sensitivity to its micro-environment acts as the reporter of the properties of each isozyme in the region of binding this 19 F label. The above techniques have been utilized under equilibria or dynamic conditions, stopped-flow, to provide evidence for the subtle differences in what by standard chemical protein techniques appear to be identical active site regions. These differences can in certain cases be used to rationalize some basic functional variances among the isozymes such as their substrate affinities and pH optima.
Abstract 408: Functional Separation of IP3R- and RyR- Controlled Ca Stores in Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes

Background: In adult cardiac tissue the role of IP 3 -mediated Ca release is thought to contribute to arrhythmic spontaneous activity and excitation-transcription coupling. However, the location of these stores and their functional interaction with RyR-controlled Ca stores are ill defined. Wetested the hypothesis that in embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESdCs) IP 3 Rs and RyRs control functionally distinct but interconnected Ca stores. Method: ESdCs were dissociated at different developmental stages starting at the onset of beating (day 8 - day 18). Single ESdCs were loaded with the Ca indicator Fluo-4/AM and spontaneous Ca transient were recorded in the line scan mode of the confocal microscope. Results: ESdCs exhibit spontaneous Ca transients that increase in frequency and decrease in duration during developmental differentiation. ESdCs dissociated on day 9 already have RyR-controlled Ca stores as determined by caffeine (Caf: 10 mM) -induced Ca transients. Spontaneous Ca transients continued in the presence of Caf and were blocked by IP 3 R blocker 2-APB (1 μM) or PLC inhibitor U73122. The contribution of IP 3 R-mediated Ca release to spontaneous Ca transients was further supported by a phenylephrine (10 μM)-induced increase in frequency that was reversed by U73122. Spontaneous Ca transients continued up to 10 min with decreasing frequency in the presence of Caf and tetracaine (100 μM) indicating that IP 3 R Ca release is not immediately affected by inhibition of RyR controlled Ca stores. This was further supported by the observation that thapsigargin (1 μM) and CPA (20 μM), inhibitors of the SR Ca-ATPase, blocked spontaneous activity before depletion of Caf sensitive stores. However, the refilling of Caf depleted Ca-stores in Ca-free solution supports that IP 3 R- and RyR- controlled Ca stores are interconnected. Conclusion: IP 3 R-mediated Ca release maintains the spontaneous activity in ESdCs. Although IP 3 R- and RyR- controlled Ca stores are functionally separated intra-SR Ca can be redistributed between them.
Drosophila Myc is Involved in Fly Circadian Behavior (P1.112)

Objective: We sought to determine whether Drosophila Myc will alter the molecular clock and circadian locomotor behavior in fruit fly. Background: Drosophila Myc (termed dMyc) is highly conserved with functional properties similar to the mammalian transcription factor Myc, including regulation of cell growth, development, and metabolism. We recently reported that mammalian Myc disrupts molecular clock by suppressing the major clock regulator Bmal1 and clock-regulated glucose metabolism in cultured cancer cells. However, the role of dMyc in Drosophila circadian biology is not known. Design/Methods: In this study, the locomotor activity and molecular clock expression of flies with gain-of-function of dMyc via UAS-Gal4 system and loss-of-function mutant of dMyc were individually tested and analyzed. Results: Here, we report that both gain-of-function and loss-of-function of dMyc can affect circadian locomotor behavior in flies. Using actigraphy to monitor circadian activity, we found that overexpression of dMyc in Pigment Dispersing Factor (PDF) and Cryptochrome (Cry) expressing cells result in higher percentage of arrhythmic flies. dMyc overexpression also induces several clock-controlled genes, such as cyc , tim , cry and cwo . Interestingly, flies with dMyc mutation exhibit severe arrhythmic phenotype, which can be rescued by additional mutation of dMnt, a known suppressor of dMyc activity. Loss of dMyc also alters the expression and oscillation of per and tim in the brain. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a role of dMyc in modulating Drosophila circadian locomotor behavior potentially through directly regulating components of the core molecular clock as well as indirect effect on clock neuron development, clock outputs and metabolism. Disclosure: Dr. Hsieh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zheng has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sehgal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dang has nothing to disclose.
Novel immunotherapy strategies for hepatobiliary cancers

Despite recent advancements in therapeutic options for advanced hepatobiliary cancers, there remains an unmet need for innovative systemic treatments. Immunotherapy has shown an ability to provide prolonged clinical benefit, but this benefit remains limited to a small subset of patients. Numerous ongoing endeavors are investigating novel immunotherapy concepts. Immunotherapies that have demonstrated clinical efficacy in hepatobiliary cancers include PD-1 inhibitor therapy and CTLA-4 inhibitor therapy. Novel immunotherapy concepts include targeting emerging checkpoint proteins, bispecific T-cell engagers, combinatorial trials with checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic virotherapy and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. The goal for these new treatment strategies is to achieve a meaningful expansion of patients deriving prolonged clinical benefit from immunotherapy.
Simple and Almost Assumption-Free Out-of-Sample Bound for Random Feature Mapping.

Random feature mapping (RFM) is a popular method for speeding up kernel methods at the cost of losing a little accuracy. We study kernel ridge regression with random feature mapping (RFM-KRR) and establish novel out-of-sample error upper and lower bounds. While out-of-sample bounds for RFM-KRR have been established by prior work, this paper's theories are highly interesting for two reasons. On the one hand, our theories are based on weak and valid assumptions. In contrast, the existing theories are based on various uncheckable assumptions, which makes it unclear whether their bounds are the nature of RFM-KRR or simply the consequence of strong assumptions. On the other hand, our analysis is completely based on elementary linear algebra and thereby easy to read and verify. Finally, our experiments lend empirical supports to the theories.
New insights into the structure of high-affinity interleukin-2 receptors.

Publisher Summary Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a 15,500-Da lymphokine produced by antigen- or mitogen-activated τ cells that functions as an autocrine or paracrine growth factor for τ cells and possibly select populations of β cells. IL-2 exerts its biological effects by binding to specific cell surface receptors that transduce intracellular signals leading to τ-cell proliferation and expansion of the antigen reactive population of τ cells. IL-2 receptors are not constitutively expressed on the surface of resting τ cells, but they are induced in the process of τ-cell activation. Recent studies have led to the identification of both high- and low-affinity forms of the IL-2 receptor. The high-affinity receptors appear to mediate the growth response to IL-2 while no clear function has yet been attributed to the low-affinity receptors. Insights into the structural difference in high- and low-affinity receptors have emerged using I-labeled IL-2 for affinity cross-linking. These approaches have led to the detection of a second human IL-2 binding protein approximately 70,000–75,000 Da in size that assembles with the 55,000-Da Tac antigen, thus forming a high-affinity receptor complex. The p70 protein alone binds IL-2 with only intermediate affinity, lacks reactivity with the anti-Tac monoclonal antibody, appears to interact with IL-2 at an epitope distinct from Tac, and is capable of transducing intracellular signals and mediating endocytosis of bound ligand. This chapter discusses the biochemical and molecular properties of these two subunits of the high-affinity IL-2 receptor.
Veteran-nonveteran differences in alcohol and drug misuse by tobacco use status in Alabama SBIRT

Alcohol and substance use can challenge military veterans who live in rural communities. In 2016, the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in Alabama (AL-SBIRT) program was impl...
High-Strength Rotor Design for Ultra-High Speed Switched Reluctance Machines

High speed machines are gaining popularity in more and more applications. Besides permanent magnet (PM) machines, switched reluctance machines (SRMs) are very competitive candidates for high-speed applications in high-temperature environments due to their single material rotor without PMs. However, the conventional rotor geometries of SRMs are not suitable for the ultra-high speed applications. In this article, a novel high-strength, high-torque-density, high-efficiency rotor design for the ultra-high speed SRMs is proposed. First, a three-dimensional finite-element analysis is conducted to calculate the von-Mises stress distribution of the proposed rotor and shaft. Then, in order to improve the bonding and robustness of the design, proper high-strength adhesives are used and modeled based on the cohesive zone model. A parametric study is conducted to find the optimal length of the rotor stack. A thermal stress case study is also conducted. Finally, several prototypes are built to validate the manufacturing feasibility of the proposed design.
The Principle of Autonomy and Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia

Behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is characterized by an absence of obvious cognitive impairment and presence of symptoms such as disinhibition, social inappropriateness, personality changes, hyper-sexuality, and hyper-orality. Affected individuals do not feel concerned enough about their actions to be deterred from violating social norms, and their antisocial behaviours are most likely caused by the neurodegenerative processes in the frontal and anterior temporal lobes. BvFTD patients present a challenge for the traditional notion of autonomy and the medical and criminal justice systems. Antisocial behaviour is often the earliest recognized manifestation of bvFTD. Given that the symptoms are not specific and that atrophy of the frontal lobes is only observable with structural neuroimaging in the later stages of the disease, it is hard to ascertain their autonomy. Recently proposed re-conceptualizations of autonomy (Dworkin's, Jaworska's, and Dubljevic's) can, however, be sufficiently redefined to provide explicit rules and offer nuanced guidance in such cases. A combination of notions of autonomy gives the most nuanced guidance with three modifications: 1) including socio-moral judgement in the notion of "normal cognitive competence," 2) excluding in-principle un-endorsable ideals from the notion of "capacity to value," and 3) redefining ideal-typical degrees of compulsion (mild, severe, and total).
Epitaxial growth of SrCaTiO3 films on GaN by molecular beam epitaxy with a TiO2 buffer layer

We demonstrate the epitaxial growth of (111)-oriented Sr1 − xCaxTiO3 (SCTO) thin films on (0002) GaN using a thin (100) TiO2 buffer layer by RF-plasma-assisted oxide molecular beam epitaxy. We explore the growth window of SCTO for both x = 0 (i.e., SrTiO3) and x = 0.24 with various TiO2 buffer layer thicknesses and find that a substrate temperature of 650 °C and TiO2 thickness of 1 nm produce the highest quality films, as determined by reflection high energy electron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy. SCTO films deposited without a buffer layer are polycrystalline, confirming the necessity of the TiO2 buffer layer to facilitate (111)-oriented epitaxial growth of SCTO on GaN. Transmission electron microscopy performed on the samples shows that the SCTO films grown with a TiO2 buffer layer are highly textured, and selected-area electron diffraction patterns indicate that some domains in the oxide exhibit cation ordering along the (111) direction. We also show that the growth mode changes from 2D to 3D as the thickness of SCTO increases past 10 nm, which leads to film relaxation and a rougher surface morphology.
Diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia

Abstract Sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus are two common chronic diseases associated with aging. Sarcopenia is characterized by decrease in muscle mass and function (strength and/or physical performance). Diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia: in type 1 diabetes, hyperglycemia is secondary to almost absolute insulin deficiency, whereas in type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia is secondary to progressive relative insulin deficiency in an insulin resistance state. Patients with diabetes have a higher prevalence of sarcopenia compared with controls and patients with sarcopenia have an increased prevalence of diabetes. In this chapter we reviewed sarcopenia in general and specifically the preclinical and clinical aspects of sarcopenia associated with diabetes mellitus—definition, classification, diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, economic burden, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and interventions. Patients with type 2 diabetes show an accelerated decline in muscle mass and strength. Sarcopenia associated with diabetes is a common, growing and costly public health problem.
Forced Symmetry Breaking from SO(3) to SO(2) for Rotating Waves on the Sphere

We consider a small SO(2)-equivariant perturbation of a reaction-diffusion system on the sphere, which is equivariant with respect to the group SO(3) of all rigid rotations. We consider a normally hyperbolic SO(3)-group orbit of a rotating wave on the sphere that persists to a normally hyperbolic SO(2)-invariant manifold $M(\epsilon)$. We investigate the effects of this forced symmetry breaking by studying the perturbed dynamics induced on $M(\epsilon)$ by the above reaction-diffusion system. We prove that depending on the frequency vectors of the rotating waves that form the relative equilibrium SO(3)u_{0}, these rotating waves will give SO(2)-orbits of rotating waves or SO(2)-orbits of modulated rotating waves (if some transversality conditions hold). The orbital stability of these solutions is established as well. Our main tools are the orbit space reduction, Poincare map and implicit function theorem.
Personality Disorders in Late Life

Abstract. Personality disorders (PDs) affect a significant portion of older adults and hinder their physical and mental health. This narrative review (1) reviews the literature on PDs in older adul...
Dry storage of multiple reagent types within a paper microfluidic device for phenylalanine monitoring

The degradation of biochemical reagents on the timescale of weeks can severely limit the utility of microfluidic assays intended for field use, and is a challenging aspect of microfluidic device development in general. Our study focuses on the evaluation of the dry storage stability of three types of reagents: (i) the colorimetric reagents nitroblue tetrazolium and 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium methylsulfate, (ii) the enzyme phenylalanine dehydrogenase, and (iii) the coenzyme β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrate, within the context of a phenylalanine monitoring device. We have demonstrated stable dry storage of each of the reagents, over the time span of approximately one month. Drying the colorimetric reagents under nitrogen was found to largely suppress reagent degradation and the appearance of nonspecific signal, while the enzyme and coenzyme retained activity when stored dry for a month without additional processing or chemical additives. Finally, phenylalanine monitoring devices with all three reagent types dried down and stored for 15 days showed comparable functionality to devices containing freshly-dried reagents – a key milestone to enable future clinical testing.
RADIOGRAPHIC FOLLOW-UP AFTER MILD SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS: WHAT IS THE INCIDENCE OF SUBSEQUENT SURGERY FOR FEMORACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT?:

Background:Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is characterized by translation of the proximal femoral epiphysis posterior and medial relative to the metaphysis. The gold standard treatment of...
Protecting nurse survey participants: Ethical considerations for conducting survey research among nurses:

The nurse perspective is critical in survey research investigating various aspects of healthcare services, staff, and patient outcomes. Researchers are responsible for ensuring that survey research...
Pavlovian occasion setting in human fear and appetitive conditioning: Effects of trait anxiety and trait depression

Abstract Contexts and discrete stimuli often hierarchically influence the association between a stimulus and outcome. This phenomenon, called occasion setting, is central to modulation-based Pavlovian learning. We conducted two experiments with humans in fear and appetitive conditioning paradigms, training stimuli in differential conditioning, feature-positive discriminations, and feature-negative discriminations. We also investigated the effects of trait anxiety and trait depression on these forms of learning. Results from both experiments showed that participants were able to successfully learn which stimuli predicted the electric shock and monetary reward outcomes. Additionally, as hypothesized, the stimuli trained as occasion setters had little-to-no effect on simple reinforced or non-reinforced stimuli, suggesting the former were indeed occasion setters. Lastly, in fear conditioning, trait anxiety was associated with increases in fear of occasion setter/conditional stimulus compounds; in appetitive conditioning, trait depression was associated with lower expectations of monetary reward for the trained negative occasion setting compound and transfer of the negative occasion setter to the simple reinforced stimulus. These results suggest that clinically anxious individuals may have enhanced fear of occasion setting compounds, and clinically depressed individuals may expect less reward with compounds involving the negative occasion setter.
The Therapeutic Efficacy of Ultrasound in Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases

The elimination of circulating lymphocytes by thoracic duct (TD) cannulation and drainage has shown to be a effective treatment for some patients suffering the debilitating effects of autoimmune diseases.1–5 it was desirable to eliminate the thoracic duct cannulation procedure and its associated lengthy hospitalization. Therefore, we undertook an experimental investigation of the feasibility of using an ultrasonic transducer for the destruction of TD lymphocytes in vivo. In addition we investigated potential hazards to the patient associated with this method of lymphocyte destruction. Finally, we made some measurements on the ultrasonic destruction of red blood cells and Hela cells in order to determine whether there were qualitative or quantitative differences among different cell types in their response to ultrasound. In this article we present data showing that it is feasible to destroy lymphocytes by ultrasonic irradiation (US) of the thoracic duct fluid and that it may be feasible to destroy lymphocytes by the ultrasonic irradiation of peripheral blood. In addition data is presented which show that red cells and Hela cells exhibit similar sensitivities to that shown for lymphocytes following ultrasonic irradiation.
Corporate governance and performance of financial institutions

Abstract We examine how corporate governance affects financial institutions in the U.S. between 2002 and 2009. First, we find that better governance is negatively related to excessive risk-taking and positively related to the performance of U.S. financial institutions. Specifically, sound overall and specific governance practices are associated with less total non-performing assets, less real estate non-performing assets, and higher Tobin's Q . Second, we show that better governance contributes to higher provisions and reserves for loan/asset losses of financial institutions, supporting the income smoothing hypothesis. Moreover, the results are similar without the financial crisis period, and different robustness checks confirm the analysis.
Water Vapor Feedback in Climate Models

General circulation models (GCMs) are highly sophisticated computer tools for modeling climate change, and they incorporate a large number of physical processes and variables. One of the most important challenges is to properly account for water vapor (clouds and humidity) in climate warming. In his Perspective, Cess discusses results reported in the same issue by Soden et al. in which water vapor feedback effects are tested by studying moistening trends in the upper troposphere. Satellite observations of atmospheric water vapor are found to agree well with moisture predictions generated by one of the key GCMs, showing that these feedback effects are being properly handled in the model, which eliminates a major potential source of uncertainty.
Odds and ends

In this chapter we present some useful odds and ends that should be a part of everyone’s mathematical tool kit, but which don’t conveniently fit anywhere else. Our presentation is informal and we do not prove many of our claims. We also use this chapter to standardize some terminology and notation. In particular, Section 1.3 introduces a number of kinds of binary relations.
The renal quantitative scintillation camera study for determination of renal function

AbstractThe renal quantitative scintillation camera study assesses glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow based upon renal uptake of 99mtechnetium-iron ascorbate and 131iodine-hippuran, respectively. The method was compared to inulin, para-aminohippuric acid and creatinine clearance studies in 7 normal subjects and 9 patients with various degrees of reduced renal function. The reproducibility of the technique was determined in 15 randomly selected pediatric patients. The values of glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow were not significantly different from those of inulin and para-aminohippuric acid studies. The reproducibility of the technique was comparable to that of inulin and para-aminohippuric acid studies. Patient acceptance of the technique is excellent and the cost is minimal. Renal morphology and excretory dynamics also are demonstrated. The technique is advocated as a clinical measure of renal function.
CD-ROM based training: Interacting with the subject matter expert via the Web

We describe a project whose purpose is to bring together two technologies: CD-ROM technology, used widely to deliver training programs; and the Internet, used widely for communications. Bringing together these two technologies will make possible the ability to combine powerful training resources through CD-ROM with direct communications to the subject matter expert.
Rationalizing Justice: The Political Economy of The Federal District Courts

RATIONALIZING JUSTICE: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS. Wolf Heyderbrand and Carroll Seron. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1990.
Effect of ethylene on mRNA abundance of three β-galactosidase genes in wild type and mutant tomato fruit

Abstract Recent studies indicate that β-galactosidases may play an important role in fruit development and ripening. The temporal expression patterns of a recently discovered family of tomato β-galactosidase (TBG) genes suggest that accumulation of some TBG mRNAs may be regulated by ethylene. Because of the dramatic changes in mRNA abundance patterns that TBG4, TBG5 and TBG6 exhibit at the onset of fruit ripening (when ethylene production begins), we analyzed the effects of ethylene exposure on expression of these genes at 35 days after pollination (Mature Green) in wild type and three tomato ripening-impaired mutants: ripening inhibitor (rin), non ripening (nor) and Never ripe (Nr). RNA gel blot analysis showed that 48 h of ethylene treatment increased accumulation of TBG4 mRNA up to 20-fold, except in the nor mutant, suggesting that the NOR gene product is required for ethylene up-regulation of TBG4. Experiments in which fruit were exposed to ethylene for either 2 or 24 h indicated that the observed TBG4 up-regulation is an indirect response to the ethylene treatment, rather than a primary (or direct) response. Ethylene treatment caused the levels of TBG5 mRNA to decrease 63–93% in wild type and mutant fruit at the Mature Green stage, but had no effect after the onset of ripening. Ethylene dramatically decreased the mRNA abundance of TBG6 in wild type and all mutants at the Mature Green stage. It was shown previously that the TBG4-encoded enzyme has β-galactosidase and exo-galactanase activity. In order to elucidate its potential cell wall modifying activity, the TBG5-encoded enzyme was expressed in yeast. β-Galactosidase and exo-galactanase activity of the TBG5-encoded enzyme were confirmed through a quantified release of galactosyl residues from p-nitrophenyl-β- d -galactopyranoside and from tomato fruit cell wall fractions containing β(1→4)- d -galactan, respectively. The TBG6-encoded product was not successfully expressed in yeast. We present a summary of the potential function of the TBGs studied here and their mRNA accumulation in relation to the climacteric production of ethylene in tomato fruit.
The authorship network of genome-wide association studies.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of complex human traits have become a major approach in human genetics. Taken together, GWAS are arguably the largest biological investigations of humans ever conducted. The number of people genotyped with a GWAS array is difficult to know, but probably exceeds 1,000,000. Major findings from these studies are that many common diseases have a polygenic architecture, the genetic effect sizes of common SNP variants are unexpectedly small, the identification of the involvement of genes and biological processes not previously suspected, and the association of some loci with different diseases.1–2 Critically, the sample sizes necessary to identify robust and replicable findings were beyond that achievable by single groups, and collaborations rapidly evolved to augment statistical power. We sought to describe the collaborative networks that emerged as part of GWAS. Full methods are in the Supplemental Material. Briefly, we used the NHGRI GWAS catalog1 and PubMed to identify the authors on 604 GWAS published from the first report in 2005 up to the last complete year (2010). These 604 GWAS papers had a total of 21,007 authorships (8,718 individuals). We constructed network diagrams – graphs – where nodes are authors and edges connect co-authors on a GWAS paper. Overall, there was >10× increase in the number of co-authorships from 2005 to 2010. A network graph created using GEPHI is shown in Figure 1. The graph shows modularity at several levels: there are 14 empirical co-authorship modules (groups of nodes of the same color), and several modules show substructure (clusters within a module), and there are often abundant connections between modules. This graph is annotated more fully in Figure S5 and Table S6, and is coherent in the identification of individuals, labs, and phenotypes studied. Small-scale collaborations between laboratories are common in human genetics. There are multiple examples of large-scale, “big science” collaborations (e.g., the Human Genome Project, HapMap, the 1000 Genomes Project, and ENCODE). Most large collaborations developed in a federated manner with a formal, top-down structure. GWAS collaborations are an unusual event in the history of biomedicine as large and extensive collaborations self-organized, and emerged rapidly from grassroots origins.
Dry bean production with various tillage and residue management systems

Limited information is available on the influence of high surface residue tillag systems and the interaction of weed control methods, cultivar maturity, and phosphorus fertilizer placement on yield parameters of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) A 3-year field study was conducted on a Fargo clay (fine, frigid, montmorillonitic Vertic Haplaquoll) to evaluate the influence of surface or deep band placed phosphorus fertilizer, tillage systems (PLOW, SWEEP, STRIP, NOTILL) and weed control methods on harvest plant populations, seed yield and seed weight of ‘Upland’ (early maturity) and ‘C-20’ (late maturity) dry bean cultivars. Yield variables were influenced by cultivar planted and climatic conditions. Zinc deficient plants and decreased yield were observed with the ‘C-20’ cultivar when grown on PLOW system plots where phosphorus fertilizer was surface applied. Zinc deficient plants were not present when the phosphorus fertilizer was deep banded or none was applied. No zinc deficient plants were observed on NOTILL, STRIP and SWEEP system plots. Both cultivars matured 7 to 10 days earlier with NOTILL, STRIP and SWEEP systems when compared with the PLOW system. Dry bean yields were reduced 180 to 310 kg ha−1 by cultivation for weed control. Little difference in yields occurred among tillage systems when climatic conditions were normal. During a cool wet season, seed yields on PLOW system plots were 150 to 400 kg ha−1 higher than on plots of systems with surface residue. Seed weight, although lower on the late maturity cultivar, was not greatly changed by tillage or weed control method. Results from this study indicate that dry beans can be successfully grown with small grain surface residue systems in northern climatic areas where growing degree days exceed 1200 and growing season precipitation does not exceed 400 mm. Further, deep band placement of phosphorus fertilizer is essential in dry bean rotations to eliminate potential zinc deficiency on soils low in zinc. Switching to a high residue management system may require a special cultivator design to eliminate yield loss due to pruning of shallow roots present with high surface residue.
Cortisol patterns at home and child care: Afternoon differences and evening recovery in children attending very high quality full-day center-based child care

Previous work has found that many young children show different patterns of production of the hormone cortisol, which is sensitive to stress and challenge, on days when they are at child care compared with days when they are at home. At home, preschool age children typically show a decreasing pattern of cortisol production across the day which is the expected diurnal rhythm for this hormone. At child care many children show a rising pattern of cortisol production across the day. Lower child care quality has been associated with larger child care cortisol increases from morning to afternoon. The current study examined salivary cortisol at mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and evening on child care and weekend days in children attending the highest quality child care centers. Child-level classroom quality assessments were obtained using the Modified-Observational Rating of the Caregiving Environment. The rising pattern across the child care day was replicated, although in a smaller proportion of the children than previously reported. Variation in the quality of the child's niche or microclimate predicted these cortisol increases. When children returned home from child care, cortisol levels returned to levels observed on non-child care days even for children who showed the rising cortisol pattern during child care.
Correlation of microbial response in model food systems with physico-chemical and “mobility” descriptors of the media

Abstract The role played by water activity (aw), “mobility” (“molecular” by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis and “macromolecular”, by glassy to rubbery transition, thermal analysis) and physico-chemical properties of the media in modulating microbial response have been studied in multicomponent model food systems of different physical state. NMR “molecular” mobility correlated well with microbial (mold spore) response in solid and semisolid systems (dry and intermediate moisture foods) while in high moisture, liquid, homogeneous systems water activity was found to correlate better with Staphylococcus aureus activity. Correlation between microbial survival ability and glassy to rubbery transition in heterogeneous and complex model systems is not yet conclusive. Industrial relevance Food technologists, in order to assure safety and stability of food products, should understand the relevant factors in microbial activity. Water availability is a fundamental principle in food preservation and it might be related to water mobility. Mold spoilage, has been shown to be closely related to water mobility (in this case, measured by NMR). However, in some systems, when humectants are used, water activity is an important empirical parameter in food preservation involving intermediate moisture foods. In this work, the role played by “mobility” (“molecular” by NMR analysis and “macromolecular”, by glassy to rubbery transition, thermal analysis) was analyzed in food model systems and an important role of “water mobility” was suggested.
Postadoption and Guardianship An Evaluation of the Adoption Preservation, Assessment, and Linkage Program

Objectives:This study evaluated the effects of the Adoption Preservation, Assessment, and Linkage (APAL) postpermanency program.Method:A quasi-experimental, posttest-only design was used to estimate the program’s effects on youth discharged from foster care to adoption or legal guardianship. A random sample was surveyed (female = 44.7%; African American = 94%) and tracked with administrative data. The primary analysis estimated the program’s effect of being assigned to the intervention, whereas a supplementary analysis estimated the effects of actually receiving the services.Results:The APAL program was associated with higher levels of caregiver commitment, fewer youth behavior problems, and lower odds of placement discontinuity.Conclusion:Offering postpermanency outreach services to families might help reinforce caregiver commitment and promote children’s well-being.
Glycoprotein Profiles of Human Breast Cells Demonstrate a Clear Clustering of Normal/Benign versus Malignant Cell Lines and Basal versus Luminal Cell Lines

Gene expression profiling has defined molecular subtypes of breast cancer including those identified as luminal and basal. To determine if glycoproteins distinguish various subtypes of breast cancer, we obtained glycoprotein profiles from 14 breast cell lines. Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that the glycoprotein profiles obtained can serve as molecular signatures to classify subtypes of breast cancer, as well as to distinguish normal and benign breast cells from breast cancer cells. Statistical analyses were used to identify glycoproteins that are overexpressed in normal versus cancer breast cells, and those that are overexpressed in luminal versus basal breast cancer. Among the glycoproteins distinguishing normal breast cells from cancer cells are several proteins known to be involved in cell adhesion, including proteins previously identified as being altered in breast cancer. Basal breast cancer cell lines overexpressed a number of CD antigens, including several integrin subunit...
Coexisting intrarenal arteriovenous and caliceovenous fistulae after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Case report and literature review

A 58-year-old man was re-admitted to the Urology service with delayed gross hematuria and unstable he-modynamics, following a percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedure performed for an obstructive solitary left lower calyceal stone. A selective left renal angiogram demonstrated an interpolar arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which was treated with successful coil embolization of a sub-segmental feeding branch. Sub-sequent nephrostogram confirmed a coexisting caliceovenous fistula, which was observed and healed spon-taneously. Iatrogenic coexisting intrarenal AVF and caliceovenous fistulae have never been reported and should be considered as a possible cause of delayed severe hematuria with unstable hemodynamics, and/or increase in baseline creatinine after PCNL.
Metabolic syndrome and liver transplantation: A review and guide to management

Metabolic syndrome is common among liver transplant recipients before and after transplantation. The components of metabolic syndrome are often exacerbated in the post-transplant period by transplant specific factors, such as immunosuppression, and are strong predictors of patient morbidity and mortality. Many aspects of the metabolic syndrome are modifiable. Early recognition, prevention and treatment of post-transplant hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and diabetes may impact long-term post-transplant survival. Further study into the prevention and management of these issues in the transplant patient are needed.
Symmetrical Impedance Study on Inactivation Induced Degradation of Lithium Electrodes for Batteries Beyond Lithium-Ion

The degradation of the lithium (Li) electrode was investigated based on its structural transformation due to the inactivation of deposited Li using a Copper/LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 (NMC) cell and a Li | Li symmetrical cell. Depletion of active Li turned out to be the major reason for the failure of the Li electrode under our experimental conditions. Following the first charging (Li-deposition) of the Copper/NMC cell, the discharge process only recovered 23% of the total deposited Li back to the NMC cathode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments of the Li | Li symmetric cell demonstrated that the repeated inactivation during the deposition process leads to the growth of the deposited Li layer thereby forming three interfacial structures most likely originating from (i) residual Li | liquid electrolyte, (ii) cycled Li in the inner deposited Li layer | liquid electrolyte, and (iii) cycled Li on the outer deposited Li layer | liquid electrolyte. The voltage profile and EIS of the symmetric cell could be correlated with the degradation behavior exhibited by the Li electrode.
Generalizing Fourier Calculus on Evolutionary Trees to Splits Networks

Biologists have been interested in Phylogenetics, the study of evolutionary relatedness among various groups of organisms, for more than 140 years. In spite of this, it has only been in the last 40 years that advances in technology and the availability of DNA sequences have led to statistical, computational and algorithmic work on determining evolutionary relatedness between organisms. One method of determining historical relationships between organisms is to assume a group based evolutionary model and use a discrete Fourier transform. The 1993 paper "Fourier Calculus on Evolutionary Trees" by L.A. Szekely, M.A. Steel and P.L. Erdos outlines this process. The transform presented in Szekely et al provides an invertible relationship between phylogenetic trees and expected frequencies of nucleotide patterns in nucleotide sequences. This implies that given a set of nucleotide sequences from various organisms it is possible to construct a phylogenetic tree that represents the historical relationships of those organisms. Some scenarios are poorly described by phylogenetic trees and there are biological and statistical reasons for using networks to model phylogenetic relationships. Given this motivation I have generalized Szekely et al's result to apply to a specific type of phylogenetic network known as a splits network.
Attributional Patterns and Perceptions of Math and Science among Fifth-Grade through Seventh-Grade Girls and Boys.

A culturally and economically diverse group of fifth to seventh graders (n = 361) from Boston-area public schools rated their perceptions for liking and difficulty of core academic subjects, including math and science, and their attributions for explaining performance on a math test. Inconsistent with earlier work, girls and boys reported similar perceptions of core subjects, with all students reporting a relatively high liking of math and science. Girls' and boys' attributional patterns for success in math were somewhat consistent with earlier findings, but not their attributions for lack of success. Observations of the math and science classrooms in the study indicated that most teachers, aware of gender equity issues, attempted to teach their students in a gender-fair manner. This factor may account for differences between current findings and those from past studies.
Ureteroileoneocystostomy: the use of an ileal segment for ureteral substitution in gynecologic oncology.

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the results of the use of an ileal segment to restore the functional integrity of the renal tract where lower ureteric resection is necessary in gynecologic oncology surgery. Methods. All patients in whom ureteroileoneocystostomy (UINC) was performed between March 1988 and December 2000 were identified and a retrospective review of their case notes was conducted. Results. A total of 12 UINC procedures were performed on eight patients. The primary diagnoses were ovarian cancer in six cases, endometrial stromal sarcoma in one case, and vaginal carcinoma in one case. The average age of the patients at the time of their first UINC procedure was 56 years. Bilateral UINC was performed at a single episode in one patient and unilateral UINC in seven patients. Subsequent obstruction necessitated repeat or revision of the original procedure in two cases and contralateral UINC in one case. Complications included one death at 38 days from aspiration pneumonia not directly related to UINC, one pelvic abscess causing ureteric obstruction, and three cases of recurrent urinary tract infection. Follow-up ranged from 38 days to 77 months following the initial UINC procedure, with a mean of 34 months. Aside from the single postoperative death, the procedure was successful in 82% (9/11) of anastamoses on the first occasion and 100% (2/2) of anastamoses at repeat or revision surgery. There were no cases of renal failure secondary to a failed UINC. Conclusions. Ureteroileoneocystostomy is a safe and effective procedure that should be considered in cases where lower ureteric resection is necessary.
Reactive Ion Etching of Boron Nitride and Gallium Nitride Materials in C12/Ar and BCl3/Cl2/Ar Chemistries

Boron nitride (BN) and gallium nitride (GaN) are known as superior semiconductor materials for high power and high temperature applications. Undoped BN layers grown using ion beam and electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) assisted physical deposition on conductive GaN films have demonstrated good insulating properties. These films are thus good candidates as thin insulating layers in high temperature GaN-based device structures such as MIS diodes and MISFETs due to their close thermal expansion coefficient. In order to address the device processing issue, reactive ion etching (RIE) tests were performed on these films. Using Cl 2 /Ar chemistry, etch rates up to 600 A/min were measured. These rates were found to increase linearly with increasing rf power and Cl 2 flow rate. GaN layers grown by gas source MBE were also dry etched, resulting in smooth sidewalls. Etch rates up to 1,400 A/min were achieved at 200 W rf power (-280 V d.c. bias) in a BCl 3 /Cl 2 /Ar chemistry; this is the highest RIE rate reported up to now for GaN. Using Cl 2 /Ar and BCl 3 /Cl 2 /Ar for BN and GaN respectively, etch selectivities in excess of 5:1 can be obtained. Finally, preliminary Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results on residue deposition and surface composition changes as a function of the different etch conditions are presented.
Clozapine in the back wards

Most reports of clozapine in treatment-refractory patients have dealt with outpatient and/or relatively less chronic samples. This report focuses on clinical outcome in an institutionalized sample, notable for chronicity, poor functioning, and representing the extreme segment of the treatment-refractory population. We analyzed the data for 50 persistently hospitalized patients referred for clozapine treatment in open trials. Dimensions of outcome assessed at baseline and periodically thereafter included psychopathology, cognitive performance, extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), and patient satisfaction. Certain features of clozapine response in institutionalized patients have been underemphasized (e.g., reduced use of restraint and seclusion, greater social interaction, reduced cost for care). Ninety-four percent of this sample showed some form of improvement with clozapine. Improvement ranged from modest (e.g., less EPS) to remarkable (e.g., discharge). An adequate clozapine trial may require more than 6 months.