cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brain venular pattern by 7T MRI correlates with memory and haemoglobin in sickle cell anaemia

Abstract Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy characterised by extensive vascular dysfunction that stems from inflammation, thrombosis and occlusion of post-capillary venules. Cognitive impairment is a neurological complication of SCA whose pathogenesis is unknown. We hypothesised that cerebral venular abnormalities are linked to cognitive impairment in SCA. Thus, we employed 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the association between venular density and cognitive function in homozygous SCA. We quantified the density of total, long, and short venules in pre-defined regions of interest between the frontal and occipital cornu on each hemisphere. Cognitive function was assessed using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test – Revised (HVLT-R) test of learning and memory. Patients ( n =11) were compared with race, age and gender-equated controls ( n =7). Compared to controls, patients had an overall venular rarefaction, with significantly lower density of long venules and greater density of short venules which was inversely related to HVLT-R performance and haemoglobin. To our knowledge, this is the first 7T MRI study in SCA and first report of associations between cerebral venular patterns and cognitive performance and haemoglobin. Future studies should examine whether these novel neuroimaging markers predict cognitive impairment longitudinally and are mechanistically linked to severity of anaemia.
Comparison of the First Principal Factor on the WISC-R Across Ethnic Groups

The general intelligence or "g" factor was investigated for a large nonreferred sample of black, Hispanic, and white children. WISC-R subtest scores were factor analyzed and the first principal factor was extracted. These factor loadings were converted to z scores and then analyzed using a special chi square formula. The results indicated that the magnitude and the pattern of the loadings were similar for the three ethnic groups. Implications of these results were discussed.
35Cl nuclear magnetic resonance studies of anion-binding sites in proteins: Lactate dehydrogenase

Abstract 35 Cl nmr relaxation rate measurements have been used to study anion-binding sites in pig heart lactate dehydrogenase. These studies reveal two types of sites, one is intimately associated with the active site, the other is not. The nonactive site has been ascribed to a subunit site in analogy with crystallographic results from the dogfish M 4 enzyme. The binding of either the reduced or the oxidized form of NAD results in an increase in the 35 Cl nmr relaxation rate by a factor of 1.8–2. The enhanced nmr relaxation rate of the binary lactate dehydrogenase-NAD complex is reduced on binding of the substrate inhibitor molecules oxamate or oxalate to a value less than that exhibited by lactate dehydrogenase alone. The enhancement of the nmr relaxation rate is attributed to a decrease in the dissociation constant of Cl for the enzyme. The K p values for Cl binding to the active center site of lactate dehydrogenase is 0.85 m and for lactate dehydrogenase-NADH is 0.25 m . The ratio of these constants, 3.4, agrees well with the measured enhancement value 3.7. The effect of coenzyme analogs on the 35 Cl nmr relaxation rate has been examined. 3-Acetylpyridine NAD produces an enhancement of 4.3, thionicotinamide NAD of 2.3, whereas 3-pyridinealdehyde, adenosinediphosphoribose, and adenosine diphosphate do not affect the nmr relaxation state of Cl bound to lactate dehydrogenase.
A non-additive thermodynamic formalism and applications to dimension theory of hyperbolic dynamical systems

A non-additive version of the thermodynamic formalism is developed. This allows us to obtain lower and upper bounds for the dimension of a broad class of Cantor-like sets. These are constructed with a decreasing sequence of closed sets that may satisfy no asymptotic behavior. Moreover, they can be coded by arbitrary symbolic dynamics, and the geometry of the construction may depend on all the symbolic past. Applications include estimates of dimension for hyperbolic sets of maps that need not be differentiable.
Oxygen tubing lengths and output flows: implications for patient care

Background: Historical wisdom has recommended up to 50 ft (15.24 m) of tubing based on the oxygen cylinder delivery system. Yet, many individuals may store their stationary systems in one area of t...
Nocturnal growth hormone secretion in schizophrenic patients and healthy subjects

Plasma growth hormone concentrations were measured at hourly intervals between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. the next morning in 15 drug-free chronic schizophrenic male inpatients and 14 healthy males. Growth hormone secretion was significantly lower in the patients as compared with the controls. Growth hormone release peaked around 1 a.m. in the controls, but a growth hormone peak was absent in the patient group. Increased dopamine activity, increased serotonin activity, or both could explain the absence of a nocturnal growth hormone surge in the schizophrenic patients.
RF actuation of capacitive MEMS switches

An analytical calculation of microwave actuation for shunt capacitive MEMS switches is presented. This calculation shows that the microwave signal deflects the beam according to the RMS voltage of the signal. In addition, heating of the beam due to dissipated microwave power is shown to play a significant role in microwave actuation.
Systematic review of thienopyridine discontinuation and its impact upon clinical outcomes

The optimal length of clopidogrel therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes or in those who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. We therefore sought to determine the risk of both perioperative and premature discontinuation of clopidogrel. PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched January 2000 through March 2010 for articles written in English and reporting adverse clinical events following discontinuation of clopidogrel. Studies of perioperative clopidogrel cessation are mostly observational, but do suggest a hazard for adverse cardiac events. This appears to be especially high in the first month after PCI, but it is unclear whether there is a ‘safe’ window. Studies of ‘premature’ clopidogrel discontinuation, although mostly retrospective and statistically flawed, suggest that the first 6 months after stenting are highest risk; discontinuation with drug-eluting stents (DESs) is probably higher risk than with bare metal stents, but most studies are of DESs alone. There are no randomized trials sufficient to determine the optimal length of clopidogrel therapy; future randomized clinical trials may provide more clarity.
Models of adulthood: An ethnographic study of an adolescent peer group

In this article a middle class adolescent peer group is studied in a community setting using ethnographic techniques. The purpose of the study is to describe the group's relationship to adults and to uncover the adult reference group after which the group modeled itself. Although this group was organized to help poor people in the United States and abroad and had extensive contact with adults who could be described as change agents working to close the economic gap between rich and poor, this group modeled itself after middle class adult managers. The youths were attracted to the change agent adults only in so far as they satisfied their desire for equal status interaction with adults. Attempts by the group to establish closer contact with their adult models were in conflict with their desire to maintain autonomy from adult domination. The concluding section compares the findings of this study to two ethnographic studies of adolescent groups that used secondary school sites.
An In Vitro Osteotomy Method to Expose the Medial Compartment of the Human Knee

This study was conducted to validate a new in vitro method to expose the medial compartment of the knee to be used in subsequent studies aimed at examining the load bearing capabilities of medial meniscal allografts. The new method involves an osteotomy and reattachment of the medial femoral condyle. The primary hypothesis was that the new method does not alter tibio-femoral contact pressure and area. To validate this method, the baseline contact pressure of the intact medial compartment was measured using a new nondestructive procedure for inserting pressure measurement film into the intact medial hemijoint. A secondary and related hypothesis was that incising the coronary ligament, a destructive method used by previous investigators to position pressure measurement film, alters the normal tibio-femoral contact pressure. To test these hypotheses, Fuji Prescale pressure-sensitive film was used to measure both tibio-femoral contact pressure and area within the medial compartment of the (1) intact knee, (2) the knee after osteotomizing and reattaching the medial femoral condyle, and (3) the osteotomized knee with an incised coronary ligament, using seven cadaver specimens. Measurements were taken at a compressive load of approximately two times body weight with the knee in 0, 15, 30, 45 deg of flexion. No significant differences between the intact and osteotomized knee were detected. Likewise, no significant differences were observed between the osteotomized knee and the osteotomized knee with an incised coronary ligament. These results confirm the utility of the new method in exposing the medial compartment for manipulation and placement of medial meniscal allografts in future studies examining the load-bearing characteristics of meniscal allografts.
Channelling regional registries for optimization of cardiac care: lessons from around the world

This editorial refers to ‘Presentation, management, and outcomes of 25 748 acute coronary syndrome admissions in Kerala, India: results from the Kerala ACS Registry’†, by P.P. Mohanan et al. , on page 121 The epidemiology of cardiac disease is undergoing a steady transformation, with a small but steady decline in cardiac mortality in the western world while the prevalence and impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) continue to increase in middle income and low income countries.1 This is especially true in south Asia where CAD often manifests at an early age with profound societal and economic implications.2 Mohanan and colleagues now describe the results of the Kerala ACS Registry.3 Kerala, a picturesque state in south India, has some of the best health statistics in the Indian subcontinent, with high life expectancy, low infant mortality, and high literacy. It, however, has not been immune to the increasing incidence and prevalence of CAD that has accompanied India's economic transformation.4 The Kerala Chapter of the Cardiological Society of India is to be applauded for developing this collaborative registry to study the quality of care and outcomes associated with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The investigators identified 185 hospitals in the state that provided care to patients with ACS and, of these, 125 hospitals submitted data to the registry. The registry enrolled patients at teaching institutions, private as well as government hospitals, and a sizeable number of rural hospitals (40%), thus increasing the generalizability of their findings. Fewer than a quarter of the institutions (22%) had a cardiac catheterization laboratory on site, while 58% had a cardiologist on staff. The patients enrolled in the study were more likely to be younger and to present with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared with those in the registry data from developed countries. The use of …
Assessment of Previous Heat Treatment of Laboratory Heat-Processed Meat and Poultry using a Commercial Enzyme System

The APIZYM enzyme system was assessed with respect to: enzyme activity in aqueous and saline extract filtrates from raw and heat processed (60° and 71.1°C) beef; effect of rate of heating (0.2–0.3°C, 0.4–0.5°C, and 0.9–1.0°C/min) to internal temperatures of 66.7°, 67.8°, 68.9°, 70.0°, and 71.1°C and holding times of 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min at these temperatures on residual enzyme activity; reduction of enzyme assay incubation time; and reproducibility of the system. Results showed that slightly higher enzyme activity in heated samples was obtained with 0.9% saline extraction compared to water. Greater enzyme activity was observed in filtrates from pork samples heat-processed at a fast rate than at a slow rate. Enzyme activity could be detected after 2 hr incubation, but 4 hr were needed for the enzymes to react with their respective substrates. The system was found to be reproducibile. The results of this study also indicated the potential of using leucine aminopeptidase as an indicator enzyme for determining the adequacy of heat treatment of meat and poultry products.
Monolithic L-band amplifiers operating at milliwatt and sub-milliwatt DC power consumptions

Monolithic L-band low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) operating at milliwatt and sub-milliwatt DC power consumptions were designed and fabricated. A maximum gain/power quotient of 19.1 dB/mW was recorded at a frequency of 1.25 GHz with a cascade of two monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifiers yielding a total gain of 15.3 dB on a total power consumption of just 800 mu W. This is believed to be the highest gain/power quotient ever reported for a monolithic circuit at L-band. The ultralow power consumptions were obtained with a standard foundry process using an enhancement-mode MESFET with a variety of design techniques. Yields obtained on two 4-in GaAs wafers were 96-100%. >
Performance evaluation of wireless networks for factory automation applications

Recently, there has been interest in applying wireless networking to automation systems to support control, diagnostics and safety functionality in automated manufacturing systems. Multiple standards and technologies are competing for use in these systems. In this paper we study two major wireless standards, IEEE 802.11a,b,g (WiFi), and IEEE 802.15.1–2005 (Bluetooth v1.2) highlighting performance aspects that are relevant to control and automation networks. We demonstrate that these networks can in fact be used for control systems, but discuss some of the factors that must be considered when migrating from a wired to a wireless implementation. For each protocol, we summarize the key facets of the Medium Access Control and Physical layer and present results from performance measurements. Finally, we discuss how these networks can be deployed on the factory floor.
Managing Construction Safety and Health: Experience of New York State Department of Transportation

To construct and maintain transportation facilities in a cost-effective manner, management of a large state highway construction program must address health and safety risks to highway users and workers. Successful management of construction-site risks requires defined objectives, strong agency commitment, adherence to fundamental safety and health principles, and clearly defined procedures. Health and safety risks and associated costs inherent in highway construction are examined, and the New York State Department of Transportation's construction safety and health program is described. These efforts are offered as a model to other large transportation agencies that may be considering adopting such an approach. Key elements in this program include clear-cut contractual requirements, adequate program staffing, an accident reporting system to identify critical concerns and track progress, formalized procedural manuals to provide operational guidance, quality assurance/ quality control procedures, and compli...
Embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial cells for treatment of hindlimb ischemia.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) results from narrowing of the peripheral arteries that supply oxygenated blood and nutrients to the legs and feet, This pathology causes symptoms such as intermittent claudication (pain with walking), painful ischemic ulcerations, or even limb-threatening gangrene. It is generally believed that the vascular endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells that invests the luminal surface of all blood and lymphatic vessels, plays a dominant role in vascular homeostasis and vascular regeneration. As a result, stem cell-based regeneration of the endothelium may be a promising approach for treating PAD. In this video, we demonstrate the transplantation of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived endothelial cells for treatment of unilateral hindimb ischemia as a model of PAD, followed by non-invasive tracking of cell homing and survival by bioluminescence imaging. The specific materials and procedures for cell delivery and imaging will be described. This protocol follows another publication in describing the induction of hindlimb ischemia by Niiyama et al.1 Protocol 1. Differentiation of murine ESCs into endothelial cells
Dual functions of the heartless fibroblast growth factor receptor in development of the Drosophila embryonic mesoderm

The Drosophila embryonic mesoderm forms by invagination of the ventral-most blastoderm cells. Subsequent development of this germ layer involves the dorsolateral migration of the internalized cells and expansion by cell division, followed by the specification of particular cell fates through the coordinate actions of both intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory mechanisms. The latter include several intercellular signals that function across germ layers. These processes combine to generate a diversity of mesodermal subtypes, including the cardial and pericardial cells of the heart or dorsal vessel, a complete set of somatic muscle founders each with its unique identity, a population of cells that form the visceral musculature, and other cells that develop into hemocytes and the fat body. Here, we review recent evidence for the involvement of a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) encoded by the heartless (htl) gene in early directional migration of the Drosophila mesoderm. In addition, we provide new data that 1) demonstrate a second role for Htl in promoting the specification of the precursors to certain cardiac and somatic muscle cells in the Drosophila embryo, independent of its cell migration function, 2) suggest that Ras and at least one other signal transduction pathway act downstream of Htl, and 3) establish a functional relationship between the Ras pathway and Tinman (Tin), a homeodomain factor that is essential for specifying some of the same dorsal mesodermal cells that are dependent on Htl. Finally, parallels between requirements for FGFR signaling in Drosophila and vertebrate mesoderm development are considered. Dev. Genet. 22:212–229, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Protonation states and catalysis: Molecular dynamics studies of intermediates in tryptophan synthase.

The importance of protonation states and proton transfer in pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP)-chemistry can hardly be overstated. Although experimental approaches to investigate pKa values can provide general guidance for assigning proton locations, only static pictures of the chemical species are available. To obtain the overall protein dynamics for the interpretation of detailed enzyme catalysis in this study, guided by information from solid-state NMR, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the PLP-dependent enzyme tryptophan synthase (TRPS), whose catalytic mechanism features multiple quasi-stable intermediates. The primary objective of this work is to elucidate how the position of a single proton on the reacting substrate affects local and global protein dynamics during the catalytic cycle. In general, proteins create a chemical environment and an ensemble of conformational motions to recognize different substrates with different protonations. The study of these interactions in TRPS shows that functional groups on the reacting substrate, such as the phosphoryl group, pyridine nitrogen, phenolic oxygen and carboxyl group, of each PLP-bound intermediate play a crucial role in constructing an appropriate molecular interface with TRPS. In particular, the protonation states of the ionizable groups on the PLP cofactor may enhance or weaken the attractions between the enzyme and substrate. In addition, remodulation of the charge distribution for the intermediates may help generate a suitable environment for chemical reactions. The results of our study enhance knowledge of protonation states for several PLP intermediates and help to elucidate their effects on protein dynamics in the function of TRPS and other PLP-dependent enzymes.
Diffusion of Innovations and HIV/AIDS

As the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues its relentless spread in many parts of the world, DOI provides a useful framework for analyzing the difficulties in achieving behavior change necessary to reduce HIV rates. The DOI concepts most relevant to this question include communication channels, the innovation-decision process, homophily, the attributes of the innovation, adopter categories, and opinion leaders. The preventive measures needed to halt the transmission of HIV constitute a "preventive innovation." This article describes the attributes of this preventive innovation in terms of relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. It reviews studies that incorporated DOI into HIV/AIDS behavior change interventions, both in Western countries and in the developing world. Finally, it discusses possible reasons that the use of DOI has been fairly limited to date in HIV/AIDS prevention interventions in developing countries.
Imbalanced learning to predict long stay Emergency Department patients

A major contributor to Emergency Department (ED) crowding is patients with prolonged length of stay (LOS). Patients with long stays (i.e., those with LOS longer than 14 hours) comprise 10% percent of ED visits, but utilize 30% of the total ED bed hours. Accurately predicting patients' LOS can be used to improve resource management both in the ED and the hospital. A prediction model that can identify this minority, prolonged stay patient group, early at presentation may be effective in addressing barriers to expedited treatment and ED disposition. However, this is a challenging task because regular classification techniques are biased toward the majority group of examples and tend to overlook the minority class examples. This problem can be alleviated by using class imbalance learning methods. In this paper, we present a framework that predicts patients with prolonged ED stays (> 14 hours) from data available at triage (i.e., presentation). The framework also enables extraction of independent variables that capture the current state of the resources in the ED. Predictions combine patient information (e.g., demographics, complaints, and vital signs) with a snapshot of resources and queuing metrics in the ED which can substantially impact the LOS. The prediction models in our framework are developed from over one hundred thousand ED encounters retrospectively collected at an urban hospital. Our experimental results demonstrate that we accurately predict prolonged ED length of stay and provide a clear interpretation of the factors that influence it. We also found that integrating a class imbalance learning ensemble method into our framework produces much better results for prolonged stays than only using traditional logistic regression methods.
Fallacies Versus Realities in Financial Planning and Management Among Entrepreneurs: Lessons from the Trenches

This paper summarizes fallacious thinking about financial planning and management among entrepreneurs and small business owners. This thinking often continues from start-up through initial liquidity and beyond and creates problems for the venture. These problems can usually be avoided with an understanding of the realities associated with fallacious thinking and following some fairly simple "rules" enunciated by the authors.
Microwave Measurement Techniques

Measurements in the microwave range have the same purpose as at other frequencies but are different in nature. The quantities measured are often different and the methods employed tend to be more complex. As a rule, the basic lumped parameter measurements of voltage, current and lumped impedance cannot be used in their simple, low frequency form. This means, for example, that measurement of power cannot be done by simply measuring voltage and current. On the other hand, there are many parameters, like attenuation or reflection coefficient that are normally not used in the low frequency domain. The measurement environment at microwave frequencies is also unique. Some parameters cannot be measured directly and require specialized techniques. Power, for example, is always measured indirectly by use of thermal effects or even mechanical means.
Total Synthesis of the Lycopodium Alkaloid Complanadine A

Mankind’s fascination with symmetry can be traced back to early civilizations in art, sculpture, architecture, music, and many other forms. Certainly, the bilateral symmetry of the human form and other life forms supports the idea that symmetry confers significant evolutionary advantages. It is therefore not surprising that in the world of complex molecules, many examples of symmetrical molecules can be found, which undoubtedly also provide an evolutionary advantage to the producing organism. Yet, as one more critically analyzes the structures of natural products that possess some element of symmetry, it becomes apparent that pseudosymmetry may, in fact, be more common and a key to an as of yet underappreciated subtlety of evolution. It was in the wake of these musings that we first started to ponder the pseudosymmetric, complex Lycopodium alkaloid complanadine A (1, Fig. 11.1).
Changes in DNA Conformation Induced by Gamma Irradiation in the Presence of Copper

Abstract Trumbore, C. N., Ehrlich, R. S. and Myers, Y. N. Changes in DNA Conformation Induced by Gamma Irradiation in the Presence of Copper. Gamma irradiation of DNA solutions containing copper causes changes in DNA conformation in oligonucleotides and in natural and synthetic DNAs. Diagnostic for these conformational changes is a ubiquitous 187-nm peak in the circular dichroism (CD) difference spectrum that has been predicted for a transformation from a right-handed to a left-handed helical DNA conformation. Changes in CD are correlated with changes in the UV spectrum. Reduction of DNA-bound Cu(II) to Cu(I) with ascorbic acid produces similar changes in CD spectra. These changes can be produced by the peroxy radical anion (O2· –) and the OH radical in the presence of copper. O2· – is approximately twice as efficient as ·OH in initiating these changes in natural DNA. The changes in DNA conformation induced by ionizing radiation are remarkable in that they are dependent on the copper-ion concentration in ...
OXIDATION OF FREE FATTY ACIDS BY DOG LIVER.

SummaryThe hepatic oxidation of FFA to CO2 was investigated in dogs. Thirty-nine per cent of the mean portal supply of FFA was removed by the liver and about ¼ of this amount was oxidized to CO2. This amount of COM2 could account for approximately 38% of the total CO2 produced by the liver.
The absorption and elimination of chenopodium

The introduction of chenopodium into the stomach or small intestine of different animals after previously ligating the duodenum immediately below the pylorus was frequently followed by the appearance of symptoms of chenopodium poisoning.In rabbits evidence of absorption from the stomach was obtained in some cases after 40 to 95 minutes. In others, however, several hours have elapsed without showing any effects. Absorption from the small intestine was particularly rapid in cats. When 2 to 5 c.c. of the oil was emulsified and introduced into the duodenum symptoms appeared in some individuals almost immediately after, in others there was a delay of five minutes. Absorption of chenopodium from the stomach also takes place in cats but the process is much slower. The effect of chenopodium poisoning was noticed one and three quarter hours after its introduction into the stomach in some experiments, but in other cases no evidence of absorption could be obtained during the lapse of this interval of time. Experimen...
Discovery, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Thiazoloquin(az)olin(on)es as Potent CD38 Inhibitors

A series of thiazoloquin(az)olinones were synthesized and found to have potent inhibitory activity against CD38. Several of these compounds were also shown to have good pharmacokinetic properties and demonstrated the ability to elevate NAD levels in plasma, liver, and muscle tissue. In particular, compound 78c was given to diet induced obese (DIO) C57Bl6 mice, elevating NAD > 5-fold in liver and >1.2-fold in muscle versus control animals at a 2 h time point. The compounds described herein possess the most potent CD38 inhibitory activity of any small molecules described in the literature to date. The inhibitors should allow for a more detailed assessment of how NAD elevation via CD38 inhibition affects physiology in NAD deficient states.
Survival of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 during the manufacture and curing of cheddar cheese

The ability of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 :H7 to survive a standard Cheddar cheese manufacturing process and subsequent curing was determined. Two treatments with added E. coli O157 :H7 were designed with target levels 1 X 10 3 CFU/ml and 1 CFU/ml of cheese milk. Cheese samples were analyzed for E. coli O157 :H7 during manufacture at 14, 28, 42, 60, and 74 days, and at 28-day intervals thereafter until the organism could no longer be detected using direct plating or enrichment in two successive samples. Typical colonies on 3M Petrifilm® E. coli Count Plates were counted as presumptive E. coli O157 :H7 and were confirmed with the 3M Petrifilm® Test Kit-HEC for hemorrhagic E. coli O157 :H7. When no E. coli O157 :H7 were detected in the cheese with the Petrifilm® plates, a 25-g sample of cheese was enriched in modified EC broth with novobiocin to detect viable E. coli O157 :H7. Cheese made with 10 3 CFU/ml of milk showed a 2-log-unit reduction after 60 days of ripening, with viable E. coli O157 :H7 still being detected in 25 g of cheese after 158 days. Cheese made with 1 CFU/ml of milk showed a reduction in E. coli O157 :H7 to 1 or < 1 CFU/g in 60 days, with no E. coli being detected in 25 g of cheese at 158 days. However, both treatments resulted in the survival of E. coli O157 :H7 during manufacture and for more than 60 days of curing at 2.75 to 3.76% salt in the moisture phase.
Characterising heterogeneity in vulnerable hosts on worm propagation

Worm propagation models are important for understanding worm dynamics and designing effective and efficient detection and defence systems. The existing models, however, ignore the heterogeneity in vulnerable hosts and assume that the worm-scanning rate is the same for all infected hosts. In this work, we analytically and empirically study the impact of heterogeneity of vulnerable hosts on worm propagation. Specifically, we first apply the Jensen's inequality to show that the heterogeneity in vulnerable hosts indeed hinders the speed of worm propagation. Next, we propose a novel model to predict and characterise worm dynamics among heterogeneous vulnerable hosts. Finally, applying the real trace from Center for Applied Internet Data Analysis CAIDA to simulate the propagation of a Witty worm in the Internet, we verify our analytical results and demonstrate that our proposed model can accurately predict the spread of worms among heterogeneous vulnerable hosts.
Characterizing Student Perceptions of and Buy-In toward Common Formative Assessment Techniques

Formative assessments (FAs) can occur as preclass assignments, in-class activities, or postclass homework. FAs aim to promote student learning by accomplishing key objectives, including clarifying learning expectations, revealing student thinking to the instructor, providing feedback to the student that promotes learning, facilitating peer interactions, and activating student ownership of learning. While FAs have gained prominence within the education community, we have limited knowledge regarding student perceptions of these activities. We used a mixed-methods approach to determine whether students recognize and value the role of FAs in their learning and how students perceive course activities to align with five key FA objectives. To address these questions, we administered a midsemester survey in seven introductory biology course sections that were using multiple FA techniques. Overall, responses to both open-ended and closed-ended questions revealed that the majority of students held positive perceptions of FAs and perceived FAs to facilitate their learning in a variety of ways. Students consistently considered FA activities to have accomplished particular objectives, but there was greater variation among FAs in how students perceived the achievement of other objectives. We further discuss potential sources of student resistance and implications of these results for instructor practice.
Human-started wildfires expand the fire niche across the United States

The economic and ecological costs of wildfire in the United States have risen substantially in recent decades. Although climate change has likely enabled a portion of the increase in wildfire activity, the direct role of people in increasing wildfire activity has been largely overlooked. We evaluate over 1.5 million government records of wildfires that had to be extinguished or managed by state or federal agencies from 1992 to 2012, and examined geographic and seasonal extents of human-ignited wildfires relative to lightning-ignited wildfires. Humans have vastly expanded the spatial and seasonal "fire niche" in the coterminous United States, accounting for 84% of all wildfires and 44% of total area burned. During the 21-y time period, the human-caused fire season was three times longer than the lightning-caused fire season and added an average of 40,000 wildfires per year across the United States. Human-started wildfires disproportionally occurred where fuel moisture was higher than lightning-started fires, thereby helping expand the geographic and seasonal niche of wildfire. Human-started wildfires were dominant (>80% of ignitions) in over 5.1 million km2, the vast majority of the United States, whereas lightning-started fires were dominant in only 0.7 million km2, primarily in sparsely populated areas of the mountainous western United States. Ignitions caused by human activities are a substantial driver of overall fire risk to ecosystems and economies. Actions to raise awareness and increase management in regions prone to human-started wildfires should be a focus of United States policy to reduce fire risk and associated hazards.
Funduscopic examination and SD-OCT in detecting sickle cell retinopathy among pediatric patients.

Purpose To compare the results of fundus examination and spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in detecting retinal changes in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease at a single center. Methods In this prospective study, conducted over a period of 19 months, consecutive African American patients with sickle cell disease underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, and SD-OCT images of the maculas of both eyes were obtained. Results A total of 69 (37 males) patients aged 5-20 years (mean 12.89 ± 4.09; range, 2-20) with sickle cell disease (SC, 26; SS, 36; Sβ+, 5; Sβ0 thalassemia, 2) were examined. Patients’ visual acuity range was 20/20 to 20/40. On funduscopic examination, 11 of 69 showed signs of retinopathy, whereas 47 of 68 showed inner retina thinning in the watershed zone temporal to the fovea on SD-OCT. On average, SD-OCT diagnosed disease 1.78 years earlier than fundus examination. Of patients Conclusions The peripheral retina could be visualized on fundus examination but not easily imaged on SD-OCT, which, however, had a higher detection rate and offered earlier diagnosis. In our patient cohort SD-OCT showed that the severity of retinal change was associated with more severe sickle cell disease genotypes (SS and Sβ0).
Excitatory Transmitter Neurotoxicity and Alzheimer’s Disease

Both of the predominant excitatory transmitters in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), glutamate (Glu) and acetylcholine (ACh), harbor neurotoxic potential which we postulate may contribute to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Surprisingly, either hyperactivation or suppression of Glu receptors can cause excitotoxic degeneration of CNS neurons. Evidence supporting this paradoxical conclusion and the relevance of such evidence to AD will be discussed.
Serial single molecule electron diffraction imaging: diffraction background of superfluid helium droplets

In an effort to solve the crystallization problem in crystallography, we have been engaged in developing a method termed “serial single molecule electron diffraction imaging” (SS-EDI). The unique features of SS-EDI are superfluid helium droplet cooling and field-induced orientation: together the two features constitute a molecular goniometer. Unfortunately, the helium atoms surrounding the sample molecule also contribute to a diffraction background. In this report, we analyze the properties of a superfluid helium droplet beam and its doping statistics, and demonstrate the feasibility of overcoming the background issue by using the velocity slip phenomenon of a pulsed droplet beam. Electron diffraction profiles and pair correlation functions of ferrocene-monomer-doped droplets and iodine-nanocluster-doped droplets are presented. The timing of the pulsed electron gun and the effective doping efficiency under different dopant pressures can both be controlled for size selection. This work clears any doubt of the effectiveness of superfluid helium droplets in SS-EDI, thereby advancing the effort in demonstrating the “proof-of-concept” one step further.
Recursive Realizations of Combinational Circuits

In this chapter we illustrate some applications of Boolean reasoning in the design of multiple-output switching circuits. The stimulus applied to the circuit shown in Figure 9.1 is an input-vector, X = (x1, x2,..., x m ) , of binary signals; its response is an output-vector, Z = (z1, z2,..., z n ), of binary signals. We assume the circuit to be combinational, by which we mean that the value of Z at any time is a function of the value of X at that time. A sequential circuit, on the other hand, is one for which the value of Z may depend on past values of X as well as on its present value.
The Psychology of Getting Paid: An Integrated Perspective

This chapter provides a synthesis of empirical literature on the psychology of getting paid using self-determination theory as a framework for organization and interpretation. Using this theoretical framework, we posit that the affective, motivational, and behavioral consequences of getting paid are mediated by the often oppositional experiences of psychological need satisfaction and thwarting; in particular, with respect to the basic human needs for competence and autonomy. The importance of considering contextual and trait-level moderators of need satisfaction and thwarting is stressed. We conclude with a discussion of pressing questions for advancing basic theory and practice in applied settings, including education, health care, and economic policy.
Sulfur supply reduces cadmium uptake and translocation in rice grains (Oryza sativa L.) by enhancing iron plaque formation, cadmium chelation and vacuolar sequestration.

Abstract Sulfur (S) fertilizer application in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is crucial in determining rice grain productivity and quality. However, little information is available concerning the effect of S supply on cadmium (Cd) uptake and translocation in rice. In this study, both hydroponic and soil experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of S supply on Cd accumulation in rice under two Cd levels (0 and 50 μM), combined with three S concentrations (0, 2.64 and 5.28 mM). The moderate and excessive S supply (2.64 and 5.28 mM) tended to increase plant growth, root length, root and shoot dry weights of rice seedlings, and significantly decreased Cd concentrations in rice plants and grains in the absence or presence of Cd. The subcellular distribution and chemical forms of Cd in roots and shoots also varied with S supply levels. The decreased Cd uptake and translocation in rice grains could be ascribed to the enhanced formation of iron (Fe) plaque on the root surfaces and increased Cd chelation and vacuolar sequestration in roots, since Fe, Mn concentrations in Fe plaque, glutathione and phytochelatins contents, as well as phytochelatin synthase (OsPCS) and tonoplast heavy metal ATPase (OsHMA3) expressions in roots significantly increased with increased S supply. This work provides more insight into the mechanisms of Cd uptake and translocation in rice, and will be helpful for developing strategies to reduce rice grain Cd through S fertilizer application in Cd-contaminated soil.
Religious Coping in College Students

Three religious-coping profiles (Self-directing, Deferring/Collaborative, and Eclectic) have been identified in previous research with cardiac-transplantation candidates. This study examines the existence of religious-coping styles in college students and tests the role of religious coping as a stress moderator of psychological and physical symptoms. Additional potential stress buffers were included to help explain the relationship between stress and symptomatology more completely. Results supported the existence of the three religious-coping profiles in students; however, no group differences were found for symptomatology. The role of religion in studies of stress for healthy individuals vs. clinical patients is discussed.
Kulturdifferenz verstehen – Bedingungen – Möglichkeiten – Grenzen

Einleitend soll in die Leitbegriffe der folgenden Abhandlung, namlich Verstehen, Kultur und Kulturdifferenz, kurz eingefuhrt werden.
NON-SYNAPTIC MECHANISMS | Changes in Extracellular Ionic Composition

Ion gradients, formed by the relative concentrations of ions in the extracellular and intracellular spaces, form the basis of neuronal function. The gradients are generated by electrogenic pumps and are maintained by control of ion channel function. During seizure activity, there is an increase in extracellular potassium and a decrease in calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride. These levels are then brought back to ‘baseline’ levels after termination of the seizure activity. Both neuronal and glial mechanisms contribute to the regulation of the ionic environment and to the restoration of the ion gradients after seizures. Whether abnormalities in this regulation are a cause of seizures is not known.
10T Differential-Signal SRAM Design in a L4-NM FinFET Technology for High-Speed Application

This paper describes a high-speed memory design with a 10-transistor (10T) differential-signal SRAM cell in a 14-nm FinFET technology. The 10T SRAM cell is 2.63 times larger than the smallest 6 $T$ HD SRAM cell for this technology. With silicon-validated device models and back-annotated netlist, parasitic capacitances on BL and WL show 23% and 72% increase vs. 6 $T$ HD bitcell, respectively. Even with higher parasitic capacitance, when 20% WL overdrive is available, a 10T 64×64 array can operate 52% faster than a 6T under worst-case conditions for the proposed evaluation array scheme. For the 10T architecture, increasing the number of read-out fins results in small operating speed improvement due to increasing parasitic capacitance. So, a 4-fin read-out bitecell results in only 6% faster operation than a 2-fin implementation.
A topological approach to selecting models of biological experiments.

We use topological data analysis as a tool to analyze the fit of mathematical models to experimental data. This study is built on data obtained from motion tracking groups of aphids in [Nilsen et al., PLOS One, 2013] and two random walk models that were proposed to describe the data. One model incorporates social interactions between the insects via a functional dependence on an aphid’s distance to its nearest neighbor. The second model is a control model that ignores this dependence. We compare data from each model to data from experiment by performing statistical tests based on three different sets of measures. First, we use time series of order parameters commonly used in collective motion studies. These order parameters measure the overall polarization and angular momentum of the group, and do not rely on a priori knowledge of the models that produced the data. Second, we use order parameter time series that do rely on a priori knowledge, namely average distance to nearest neighbor and percentage of aphids moving. Third, we use computational persistent homology to calculate topological signatures of the data. Analysis of the a priori order parameters indicates that the interactive model better describes the experimental data than the control model does. The topological approach performs as well as these a priori order parameters and better than the other order parameters, suggesting the utility of the topological approach in the absence of specific knowledge of mechanisms underlying the data.
PD-L1 Expression Patterns in Microsatellite Instability-High Intestinal Adenocarcinoma Subtypes.

Objectives To investigate patterns of programmed death protein-1 (PD-L1) expression in microsatellite instability (MSI)-high intestinal carcinomas and correlate them with pathologic and molecular features. Methods One hundred and fifteen MSI-high and 41 microsatellite stable carcinomas were included. Tumor sections were immunohistochemically labeled for PD-L1. The results were correlated with histologic subtypes, MSI, and BRAF status. Results As expected, MSI status was associated with PD-L1 expression. Among 115 MSI-high tumors, PD-L1 expression was observed on tumor cells in 28 tumors and on tumor-associated inflammatory cells in 77 tumors. Medullary carcinoma demonstrated more frequent PD-L1 expression on tumor cells than mucinous and typical adenocarcinoma. PD-L1 expression was more frequent in medullary and typical adenocarcinoma than in mucinous adenocarcinoma based on combined positive scores. Tumors with more nucleotide shifts by PCR-based MSI testing were more likely to express PD-L1. Conclusions Expression of PD-L1 is different among different histologic subtypes of MSI-high intestinal carcinomas.
Optimized intratumoral delivery of a STING agonist results in improvements in local tumor immune activation.

38Background: There has been a renaissance in the concept of promoting the immune-responsiveness of the tumor immune microenvironment via intratumoral (IT) delivery of immunostimulatory agents. As ...
Varieties of Political Capital and Power in Organizations: A Review and Integrative Framework

We review the organizational literature on power in light of Bourdieu’s concept of capital to further a political capital perspective on power in organizations. In reviewing the literature, we find...
A performance-optimizing compiler for cyber-physical digital microfluidic biochips

This paper introduces a compiler optimization strategy for Software-Programmable Laboratories-on-a-Chip (SP-LoCs), which miniaturize and automate a wide variety of benchtop laboratory experiments. The compiler targets a specific class of SP-LoCs that manipulate discrete liquid droplets on a 2D grid, with cyber-physical feedback provided by integrated sensors and/or video monitoring equipment. The optimization strategy employed here aims to reduce the overhead of transporting fluids between operations, and explores tradeoffs between the latency and resource requirements of mixing operations: allocating more space for mixing shortens mixing time, but reduces the amount of spatial parallelism available to other operations. The compiler is empirically evaluated using a cycle-accurate simulator that mimics the behavior of the target SP-LoC. Our results show that a coalescing strategy, inspired by graph coloring register allocation, effectively reduces droplet transport latencies while speeding up the compiler and reducing its memory footprint. For biochemical reactions that are dominated by mixing operations, we observe a linear correlation between a preliminary result using a default mixing operation resource allocation and the percentage decrease in execution time that is achieved via resizing.