cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid alterations in cortical protein profiles underlie spontaneous sleep and wake bouts

Existing data indicate that sleep-wakefulness is an essential behavior. The biological function(s) of sleep, however, remains unknown, due, in part, to the lack of information available at the intracellular level. Preliminary microarray analyses show that changes in behavioral state influence regional mRNA profiles; however, the impact of sleep on protein signatures is virtually unexplored. In these studies, cortical protein profiles were examined after timed bouts of spontaneous sleep-wakefulness. Within minutes of each behavioral state examined, a small number of spots showing unique expression were detected. Mass spectroscopy analyses of sleep- and wake-related spots identified proteins associated with multiple functional categories. Two sleep-associated proteins were further validated using a sleep deprivation paradigm. We found preliminary evidence for two different post-transcriptional mechanisms-one (GAPDH) in which the amount of protein was increased in the recovery sleep following prolonged waking, while the other (actin) suggested that post-translational modifications may underlie sleep. The similarities between the effects of sleep on both protein and mRNA profiles indicate that dynamic intracellular changes underlie sleep-wake states and are consistent with roles for sleep in multiple biological functions.
Holography for Defect Detection on Artillery Projectiles

A matter of grave concern in the production of artillery projectiles is the presence of cracks in the steel projectile body. During rough handling and active usage by the troops, small sub-critical cracks can grow to critical dimensions. Ultimately, the high stresses induced in the shell by the set back forces of gun launch can cause the cracks to completely fracture the shell while still in-bore. An in-bore premature is extremely serious, resulting in destruction of the weapon and possible loss of life.
The First Twenty-First Century Record for the Liverwort Haplomitrium hookeri in North Eastern North America with Notes on its Fungal Endophyte and Snowbed Communities

Abstract: The primitive liverwort Haplomitrium hookeri, only twice recorded previously in Eastern North America in 1917 and 1956, is reported from north-facing rocks at 1300m in the Tuckerman Ravine on Mt Washington, New Hampshire. Its occurence here on vertical wet rocks associated with the liverworts Cephalozia bicuspidata, Scapania undulata and Solenostoma hyalinum and the mosses Blindia acuta, Philonotis fontana, Pohlia nutans, Racomitrium fasciculare and R. heterosticum is very different from its ecology elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. The plants were sterile but had extensive subterranean leafless fungus-containing axes. Future molecular analyses are expected to reveal that the endophyte in the Mt Washington plants is a member of the Mucoromycotina, the earliest fungal lineage known to form associations with land plants.
Dietary effects of soy isoflavones daidzein and genistein on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in ovariectomized Big Blue® transgenic rats

The major constituents of isoflavones, daidzein (DZ) and genistein (GE) are known to interact with the alpha and beta estrogen receptors (ERalpha/beta) in several tissues including mammary. In this study, we used ovariectomy (OVX) to model menopause and determined the effects of DZ, GE or 17beta-estradiol (E2) exposures on chemically induced mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in the mammary glands of female Big Blue (BB) transgenic rats. The rats were fed control diet containing the isoflavones and E2 and treated with a single oral dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) at PND 50. Animals were sacrificed at 16 or 20 weeks post-carcinogen treatment to assess mutant frequencies (MFs) and histopathological parameters, respectively. The isoflavones or E2 supplementation alone resulted in modest increases in the lacI MF that were not significantly different from the MFs measured in rats fed the control diet alone. DMBA exposure, however, induced significant increases in the lacI MFs in the mammary of both OVX and ovary intact (INT) rats and Hprt MFs in spleen lymphocytes (P<or=0.01). In general, feeding the isoflavones or E2 separately did not cause any significant changes in DMBA-induced mutagenicity in the mammary. However, feeding the isoflavone mixture (DZG) resulted in a significant reduction in the DMBA-induced lacI MFs (P<or=0.05). Cell proliferation as measured by PCNA immunohistochemistry was increased in both OVX and INT rats exposed to DMBA as compared with rats fed control diet (P<or=0.05). Mammary histology indicated that hyperplasia was induced in most of the treatment groups including control. Although DMBA treatment did not induce mammary tumors in the OVX rats, adenoma and adenocarcinoma were detected in the mammary glands of INT rats.
DoX: A Peer-to-Peer Antidote for DNS Cache Poisoning Attacks

The mapping service provided by the Domain Name System (DNS) is fundamental not only to the health of the Internet but also to the protection and integrity of the data. Recently, the DNS infrastructure has suffered several malicious attacks including DNS cache poisoning, which causes the DNS to return false name-to-IP mappings and can be used as a foothold for more insidious attacks. This paper proposes DoX, a peer-to-peer based scheme, to detect and correct inaccurate DNS records caused by cache poisoning attacks. DoX also helps DNS servers to improve cache consistency by detecting and removing obsolete records. DoX does not require modifications to the current infrastructure and can be deployed quickly. It does not use cryptographic techniques and thus does not suffer from the key management and processing overhead issues of those techniques.
An intra-articular ganglion cyst in a patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

We report an intra-articular ganglion cyst (IAGC) presenting as knee pain and a mass in a patient with longstanding Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). We could not find a similar case of an IAGC occurring in the knee of JIA patients in the literature. IAGC may need to be included as a possibility in patients with inflammatory arthritis with new-onset knee pain, especially in those with a palpable mass. MRI was useful in distinguishing IAGC from more worrisome causes of a knee mass. Orthopedic input was helpful in diagnosis and treatment. In addition, methotrexate therapy was effective in bringing about a long-lasting remission.
EGF receptor-targeted nanocarriers for enhanced cancer treatment

The ‘nanomedicine’ approach has revolutionized cancer therapy by enabling the packaging of therapeutic agents within engineered nanovehicles that can specifically accumulate within the tumor stroma and then be internalized within cancer cells, to render site-selective action while minimizing nonspecific uptake and harmful side effects. While the specific accumulation within the tumor stroma is rendered by the ability of the nanovehicles to passively permeate through the tumor’s leaky vasculature, the cellular internalization is often achieved by exploiting receptor-mediated active endocytotic mechanisms using receptor-specific ligand decoration on the vehicle surface. To this end, a highly important receptor found in several cancers is the EGF receptor, which has been implicated in tumor aggression and proliferation. In this context, we provide a comprehensive review of the various approaches of ligand decorations on nanovehicles for active targeting to EGF receptors, and discuss their pros and cons towards optimizing the design of EGF receptor-targeted nanomedicine systems.
Optically driven photoconductive devices for power switching application. 1. Theory and experimental results

The photoconductive circuit element (PCE) can be made relatively compact, can hold off a large voltage when the light is off and can conduct a large current when the light is on. Thus the PCE is an attractive device for power switching applications. The authors have designed, fabricated and measured several prototype (scaled-down) PCEs to study the feasibility of using such devices for power-switching purposes. Physical insights and theoretical analysis are also discussed. Qualitative agreements are found between experimental data and the results calculated from a recently developed numerical model.
Deception awareness improves P300-based deception detection in concealed information tests

We asked if increased awareness of deception enhanced P300-based detection of concealed information with two groups: 1) Control subjects saw a randomized series of either rare probes (subject home towns), frequent irrelevants (other towns), and rare targets, which are irrelevant stimuli but requiring Button 1 responses. Probes and non-target irrelevants required Button 2 responses. Controls were told to be sure they performed target/non-target discrimination correctly, and were so reminded throughout the run. 2) Deception subjects received an identical stimulus series and response instructions, but were also alerted about their deception (pressing a non-recognition button to probes) before and throughout the run. The deception group had significantly greater differences between probe and irrelevant P300s than controls, as well as significantly greater individual detections (10/10) than did controls (5/10), suggesting that the deception awareness manipulation enhances test sensitivity.
Evaluating factors associated with STD infection in a study with interval‐censored event times and an unknown proportion of participants not at risk for disease

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. Because of their association with an increased risk of infection with human immunodeficiency virus, the prevention and control of STD are particularly important. Studies designed to evaluate factors associated with the transmission of STD can pose a number of statistical challenges, however. Two such concerns are the interval-censored event times that result from spacing between follow-up test visits, and an unknown proportion of study participants who are not at risk for infection. Researchers in various fields of study have used parametric mixture models to account for individuals not at risk. Owing to non-identifiability concerns within the mixture model framework, however, it is not always possible to distinguish between effects of explanatory variables on the distribution of event times for at-risk individuals and their effects on the probability of being at risk. We address these issues using data from a clinical trial designed to investigate the effectiveness of an intravaginal microbicide in preventing male-to-female transmission of STD. Factors associated with time to infection among at-risk women are initially identified by fitting right-truncated models to the interval-censored event times of participants who tested positive for STD, and hence are known to have been at risk. Subsequently, factors associated with the probability of being at risk are evaluated using mixture models that incorporate information contributed by the right-censored event-free times of uninfected study participants.
Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120 hetY Gene Influences Heterocyst Development

The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. strain PCC 7120 responds to starvation for fixed nitrogen by producing a semiregular pattern of nitrogen-fixing cells called heterocysts. Overexpression of the hetY gene partially suppressed heterocyst formation, resulting in an abnormal heterocyst pattern. Inactivation of hetY increased the time required for heterocyst maturation and caused defects in heterocyst morphology. The 489-bp hetY gene (alr2300), which is adjacent to patS (asl2301), encodes a protein that belongs to a conserved family of bacterial hypothetical proteins that contain an ATP-binding motif.
In situ and ex situ characterization of (Ag, Cu)InSe 2 thin films

In situ and ex situ characterization methods have been used in order to investigate the growth as well as the physical and chemical properties of (Ag, Cu)InSe 2 (AgCIS) thin films deposited by direct current (dc) magnetron sputtering. Data acquired by real time spectroscopic ellipsometry (RTSE) were used to extract growth parameters such as thickness and surface roughness. A study of the growth parameters revealed that the layers demonstrated Volmer-Weber growth behavior. The complex dielectric functions, (∊ 1 ∊ 2 ), of AgCIS at high and room temperatures as a function of x = Cu/(Ag+Cu) were also extracted from the RTSE data. The band gaps were extracted from the RTSE dielectric functions and compared with ex situ measurements.
Abstract 471: Impact of Enrichment Strategies for Future Clinical Trials Assessing PCSK-9 Inhibitors Efficacy in Primary Prevention Settings

Introduction: To date multiple ongoing clinical trials are testing impact of human monoclonal antibody against proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in high risk patients with established CVD already on statins. It is of interest to explore the added value of these therapies in individuals free of established CVD. The aim of this study is to assess the implications of population baseline risk considered for clinical trials, in evaluating impact of PCSK9 inhibitors in primary prevention settings. Methods: We simulated scenarios among primary prevention cohorts recruited with 5 year CVD event rates ranging from 5-25%. In the control group, 30% relative risk reduction (RRR) with highest tolerated statin dose was considered. The NNT and drug cost with additional PSCK9 inhibitor therapy to prevent one cardiac event were calculated across varying (20-40%) RRR thresholds. The annual cost of PCSK9 inhibitors was estimated in range of $3000-$7,000. We considered ≤ $0.5 million as upper limit for willingness to pay to prevent 1 event in 5 years. Results: The table highlights: a) absolute event rates anticipated in the controls as well with additional PCSK9 inhibition; b) the calculated NNT; and c) costs to prevent one cardiac event across the spectrum of baseline CVD risk levels. Among those with estimated 5 year absolute risk of 10%, the threshold for willingness to pay was achieved provided PCSK9 inhibition achieved 40% RRR with annual cost of $3000. Among individuals with >20% absolute 5 year baseline risk, the threshold for willingness to pay was realized even with 20% RRR in all scenarios if annual cost was limited to $3000. Conclusion: Future discussion for clinical trials assessing efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in reducing CVD events in primary prevention settings must focus on enrichment strategies for recruiting a ‘high risk’ population. These strategies will likely facilitate acceptable NNT and public willingness to pay for these emerging novel therapies. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
On the Scope of Managerial Discretion

In Paying for Performance in Bankruptcy, 155 U. Pa. L. Rev. 777 (2007), Yair Listokin argues that one option for compensating managers of a company in Chapter 11 should be to give them a debt interest in the company. This response argues that the assumptions motivating this proposal do not hold in many situations. Current trends in bankruptcy reorganization practice, such as the increase in creditor control and the development of the turnaround profession have already limited the agency costs at which Listokin's proposal is aimed. Debt holders no longer need worry that managers will use bankruptcy as a vehicle to extract value for shareholders. If anything, the challenge in the current environment is ensuring that the managers do not decrease the value of the company through actions designed to benefit the senior creditors.
Deep brain stimulation and obesity.

Whiting and coauthors present a pilot study of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) to treat obesity in 3 patients.1 It is an open-label uncontrolled prospective study. In spite of the relatively early nature of the work, the work has considerable scientific merit in that the authors studied many variables, including psychological testing, lipid testing, and weight. A particularly impressive feature is the use of a respiratory chamber to assess the resting metabolic rate (RMR) over a prolonged period of time while various electrode stimulation parameters were explored. This pilot study demonstrated that no serious adverse effects and no detrimental psychological consequences were observed with continuous LHA DBS. Moreover, some weight loss trends were observed when monopolar DBS was applied via specific contacts found to increase the RMR measured in a respiratory chamber. The authors’ LHA DBS may be applied safely to humans with intractable obesity. Although these data are intriguing, there are some caveats. No adverse events were reported. However, 3 patients is a very small number on which to draw a definitive conclusion since the incidence of complications is relatively low in DBS cases. The data on efficacy are somewhat contradictory, although the results may become clearer as more patients are accrued. Intuitively, it seems that the RMR would be a good measure of efficacy. Yet the change in RMR does not seem to directly correlate with weight loss. For example, one patient (Case 1) had the greatest increase in RMR and the smallest decrease in weight, whereas another patient (Case 3) had a modest increase in RMR and yet had the greatest decrease in body weight. Hence, based on this very limited data set, RMR does not appear to be a predictor of success. In spite of these caveats, the authors are to be applauded for conducting such a thorough study. It is precisely this type of meticulous approach that will lead to progress in determining the utility of DBS in the treatment of obesity. (http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2012.11.JNS121486) Disclosure
Is Advertising Believability Really Important

Most advertisers feel that to be effective, each advertisement must be noted, understood, and believed.Dr. Maloney draws upon a broad research background to demonstrate that an advertisement can be...
Two-proton-transfer reactions 208 Pb( 12 C, 10 Be) 210 Po and 208 Pb( 16 O, 14 C) 210 Po

Levels in $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$ have been investigated using the two-proton-transfer reactions ($^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{10}\mathrm{Be}$) and ($^{16}\mathrm{O}$, $^{14}\mathrm{C}$) on $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ at incident energies $E(^{12}\mathrm{C})=78$ MeV and $E(^{16}\mathrm{O})=104 \mathrm{and} 140$ MeV. Reaction products were identified and energies measured with a magnetic spectrometer and a focal-plane resistive-wire proportional counter. Many levels in $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$ were observed up to an excitation energy of about 8 MeV. The results have been analyzed using distorted-wave Born approximation, and shell-model wave functions for levels in $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$ have been tested. The ${0}^{+}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow} ${0}^{+}$ (g.s.) transition is enhanced by a factor \ensuremath{\sim}8 compared with the expected strength for a pure ${(\ensuremath{\pi}{h}_{\frac{9}{2}})}^{2}$ ${0}^{+}$ configuration for $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$(g.s.). The dependence of the cross sections on projectile and target structure is discussed.[NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$($^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{10}\mathrm{Be}$), $E=78$ MeV; $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$($^{16}\mathrm{O}$, $^{14}\mathrm{C}$), $E=104$, 140 MeV; measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}({E}_{f},\ensuremath{\theta})$; DWBA analysis; $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$ levels deduced structure; $^{209}\mathrm{Bi}$($^{12}\mathrm{C}$, $^{11}\mathrm{B}$), $E=78$ MeV; $^{209}\mathrm{Bi}$($^{16}\mathrm{O}$, $^{15}\mathrm{N}$), $E=104$ MeV; measured $\ensuremath{\sigma}({E}_{f})$, $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$ levels deduced relative spectroscopic factors; Resolution 100-200 keV.]
Correlations Between Grain Boundary Structure and Energy

High-resolution electron-microscopy (HREM) and computer simulations of tilt grain boundaries (GBs) in Au are used to investigate correlations between atomic-scale GB structure and energy. The energies calculated for a variety of symmetric and asymmetric GBs suggest that asymmetric GB-plane orientations are often preferred over symmetric ones. The experimentally observed faceting behavior agrees with the computed energies. Computer simulations indicate general interrelations between GB energy and (i) volume expansion and (ii) the number of broken bonds per unit area of GB. These atomic-scale microstructural GB parameters, as evaluated from HREM observations, are compared to simulation results.
Investigation on HIV and syphilis infection among MSM people in Benxi City

[Objective]To understand the general condition,HIV and syphilis infection,and characteristics of sexual behavior among MSM people,provide the basis for prevention and intervention.[Methods]The sampling methods were continuously improved in three years,which included convenience sampling,snowball method and respondent-driven sampling(RDS).The surveyors who have been trained together carried out the one-to-one interview,filled in the questionnaire,and 3-5 ml venous blood sample were collected to detect antibodies of HIV and syphilis.[Results]202 MSM people were investigated in 2006,while 201 people and 202 people were investigated in 2008 and 2010 respectively.In three years,the awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was respectively 57.43%,88.56% and 88.61%.The rates of condom use in anal sex were low relatively,which was respectively 18.90%,40.34% and 34.25%.The infection rate of HIV was respectively 1.49%,3.48% and 3.96%,and the infection rate of syphilis respectively was 1.98%,3.98% and 22.27%,which showed an obvious rising trend.[Conclusion]There is a separation of knowledge and behavior among MSM people,and unprotected sexual behavior is the important factor of AIDS spread in this population.The behavior intervention is the most effective measure for AIDS prevention and control,and it is suggested that MSM behavior intervention is the focus in the future.
Bayesian Ensemble Trees (BET) for Clustering and Prediction in Heterogeneous Data

We propose a novel “tree-averaging” model that uses the ensemble of classification and regression trees (CART). Each constituent tree is estimated with a subset of similar data. We treat this grouping of subsets as Bayesian ensemble trees (BET) and model them as a Dirichlet process. We show that BET determines the optimal number of trees by adapting to the data heterogeneity. Compared with the other ensemble methods, BET requires much fewer trees and shows equivalent prediction accuracy using weighted averaging. Moreover, each tree in BET provides variable selection criterion and interpretation for each subset. We developed an efficient estimating procedure with improved estimation strategies in both CART and mixture models. We demonstrate these advantages of BET with simulations and illustrate the approach with a real-world data example involving regression of lung function measurements obtained from patients with cystic fibrosis. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Guidelines for the practice of brief, dynamic group therapy.

ABSTRACTTen fundamental principles are outlined for the practice of brief, dynamic group therapy within a 10- to 20-session time limit. They include: group composition and screening; contracting for appropriate goals: facilitating rapid cohesiveness; stages of group development; building a work group atmosphere; leadership style; structural levels of focus; transference and countertransference considerations; the cotherapy relationship; and curative factors. This approach integrates recent formulations from the practice of short-term individual therapies as well as brief group approaches. Each brief group principle is contrasted with its long-term analytic group counterpart. Relevant research literature, historical roots, as well as other types of brief therapy groups are reviewed. The recent and experimental nature of these techniques is critically discussed.
Organizational Cultural Hybrids: Nonprofit and For-Profit Cultural Influences in the Kenyan Technology Sector

Back in 2014, a debate swept through the Kenyan tech sector about the value of grant funding for start-ups based on new technology. Swirling around the blogosphere, among Kenyans on Twitter, and entrepreneurs in the thick of it, the debate seemed to boil down to the question of whether grants from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and donor organizations interested in funding social enterprises in Kenya were a benefit or a hindrance. Put in less secular terms, many asked: Is grant funding a blessing or a curse? Key figures, like Nikolai Barnwell, at that time the manager of the technology business incubator 88mph, and Sam Gichuru, the manager of Nailab (a competing tech incubator), landed on one side or the other of the debate. Even now, more than a year after the debate peaked in social media, its question still lingers over Kenyan entrepreneurs.
Survival and integration: Kachin social networks and refugee management regimes in Kuala Lumpur and Los Angeles

ABSTRACTHow do refugees establish social networks and mobilise social capital in different contexts throughout a multi-stage migration process? Migrant social network literature explains how migrants accumulate social capital and mobilise resources in and between origin and destination but provides limited answers regarding how these processes unfold during refugee migrations involving protracted stays in intermediate locations and direct interaction with state agents. Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork with Kachin refugees in Kuala Lumpur and Los Angeles, I address these gaps by comparing refugee social networks in two sites of a migration process. Distinguishing between networks of survival and networks of integration, I argue that differences in their form and functions stem from their interactions with local refugee management regimes, which are shaped by broader state regulatory contexts. In both locations, these networks and regimes feed off each other to manage the refugee migration process, with ...
The Importance of the Baby Boom Cohort and the Great Recession in Understanding Age, Period, and Cohort Patterns in Happiness

Twenge, Sherman, and Lyubomirsky (TSL) claim that long-term cultural changes have increased young adults’ happiness while reducing mature adults’ happiness. To establish their conclusion, TSL use t...
Urinary Microbiome and Cytokine Levels in Women With Interstitial Cystitis.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate differences in the urinary microbiome and cytokine levels between women with and without interstitial cystitis and to correlate differences with scores on standardized symptom severity scales and depression and anxiety screening tools.METHODS:Our cross-sectional study compar
Trends in use of PET imaging in surveillance of lung and colorectal cancer.

6563 Background: Surveillance PET imaging following curative intent treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or colorectal cancer (CRC) is not supported by available evidence. ASCO and ABIM'...
Characteristics of women obtaining induced abortions in selected low- and middle-income countries

Background In 2010–2014, approximately 86% of abortions took place in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although abortion incidence varies minimally across geographical regions, it varies widely by subregion and within countries by subgroups of women. Differential abortion levels stem from variation in the level of unintended pregnancies and in the likelihood that women with unintended pregnancies obtain abortions. Objectives To examine the characteristics of women obtaining induced abortions in LMICs. Methods We use data from official statistics, population-based surveys, and abortion patient surveys to examine variation in the percentage distribution of abortions and abortion rates by age at abortion, marital status, parity, wealth, education, and residence. We analyze data from five countries in Africa, 13 in Asia, eight in Europe, and two in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Results Women across all sociodemographic subgroups obtain abortions. In most countries, women aged 20–29 obtained the highest proportion of abortions, and while adolescents obtained a substantial fraction of abortions, they do not make up a disproportionate share. Region-specific patterns were observed in the distribution of abortions by parity. In many countries, a higher fraction of abortions occurred among women of high socioeconomic status, as measured by wealth status, educational attainment, and urban residence. Due to limited data on marital status, it is unknown whether married or unmarried women make up a larger share of abortions. Conclusions These findings help to identify subgroups of women with disproportionate levels of abortion, and can inform policies and programs to reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies; and in LMICs that have restrictive abortion laws, these findings can also inform policies to minimize the consequences of unsafe abortion and motivate liberalization of abortion laws. Program planners, policymakers, and advocates can use this information to improve access to safe abortion services, postabortion care, and contraceptive services.
A three-dimensional all-metal terahertz metamaterial perfect absorber

We present a three-dimensional terahertz metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) that exhibits a high quality factor and is polarization insensitive. The unit cell is composed of two orthogonally oriented copper stand-up split ring resonators deposited on a copper ground plane with capacitive gaps in free space away from the substrate. Near unity (99.6%) absorption at ∼1.65 THz is experimentally obtained in excellent agreement with simulation results. The quality factor is ∼37, which is quite large for a terahertz MPA because of reduced material losses in the all-metal structure. According to simulation results, the MPA is insensitive to the polarization of the incident wave, and more than 90% absorption can be achieved for angles of incidence up to 60° for both TE and TM polarized incident THz waves.
Mechanisms for jumping microrobots

This paper presents two mechanisms to enable jumping microrobots. These small jumpers must store considerable mechanical energy and quickly release it. The first mechanism presented is a mechanical gain stage capable of amplifying the force generated by a standard inchworm motor by at least 10 times. This mechanism could be used with any style of inchworm motor. Secondly, a latching mechanism was designed and fabricated so that the microrobot could store its energy and remain in a high energy state for an arbitrarily long period of time. Finally, a prototype jumping microrobot was fabricated that includes this latching mechanism.
Learning dynamic balancing in the roll plane with and without gravitational cues

We determined the relative contributions of gravity-dependent positional cues and motion cues to the learning of roll balance control. We hypothesized that gravity-dependent otolith and somatosensory shear forces related to body orientation would yield better initial performance, more rapid learning, and better retention. Blindfolded subjects rode in a device programmed to roll with inverted pendulum dynamics in a vertical (UPRIGHT) or horizontal plane (SUPINE), and used a joystick to align themselves with the direction of balance. Each subject completed five blocks of four 100 s long trials on two consecutive days in one of four groups (n = 10 per group): Group 1, UPRIGHT balancing both days; Group 2, SUPINE both days; Group 3, UPRIGHT then SUPINE; and Group 4, SUPINE then UPRIGHT. On Day 1, UPRIGHT subjects showed better initial performance and greater improvement in performance than SUPINE subjects, who showed improvements only in having fewer deviations exceeding ±60 deg from the direction of balance. Subjects tested UPRIGHT on both days showed full retention of learning across days and additional Day 2 learning, but subjects tested SUPINE on both days showed partial retention of their marginal learning from Day 1 and little improvement on Day 2. Subjects tested SUPINE on Day 2 after being tested UPRIGHT on Day 1 showed no better performance than subjects tested SUPINE on Day 1. By contrast, there was transfer from SUPINE on Day 1 to UPRIGHT on Day 2. We conclude that absence of gravitationally dependent otolith and somatosensory cues degrades balance performance.
In Vitro Erythroid Differentiation and Lentiviral Knockdown in Human CD34+ Cells from Umbilical Cord Blood

Human umbilical cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. CD34+ cells in umbilical cord blood are more primitive than those in peripheral blood or bone marrow, and can proliferate at a high rate and differentiate into multiple cell types. In this protocol, a dependable method is described for the isolation of fetal CD34+ cells from umbilical cord blood and expanding these cells in culture. The cells can then be in vitro differentiated along an erythroid pathway, while simultaneously performing knockdown of a gene of choice. The use of lentiviral vectors that express small hairpin RNA (shRNA) is an efficient method to downregulate genes. Flow cytometric analyses are used to enrich for erythroid cells. Using these methods, one can generate in vitro differentiated cells to use for quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and other purposes.
Electronic Properties and Electroluminescent OLED Performance of Panchromatic Emissive N-Aryl-2,3-naphthalimides

This report investigates the excited-state properties of a series of N-aryl-2,3-naphthalimides along with their fabrication into OLEDs and electroluminescence measurements. The N-aryl-2,3-NIs substituted specifically with chloro, fluoro, and methoxy substituents were chosen because of their unique propensity to display two emission bands or panchromatic fluorescence. Using the Lippert–Mataga analysis along with TD-DFT calculations, the excited states were determined to be n,π* and π,π*. The TD-DFT calculations on the geometries of the excited states indicate that the excited state shows a planar structure. The origin of both the short wavelength (SW) and long wavelength (LW) emission were correlated to specific geometries such that the SW emission originates from an “angled” structure in the excited state, and LW emission originates from an excited state of coplanar structure. All of the dyes investigated readily formed good films under ultrahigh vacuum deposition. The molecular energy levels of these com...
Simulation Of Glacier Flow Using The Finite Element Method

The finite element method was used to simulate glacier flow problems with particular examples given for the flow behavior of the Greenland ice sheet and the Wilkes 1ce cap In Antarctica. The proble...
Functional and evolutionary analysis of viral proteins containing a Rossmann‐like fold

Viruses are the most abundant life form and infect practically all organisms. Consequently, these obligate parasites are a major cause of human suffering and economic loss. Rossmann-like fold is the most populated fold among α/β-folds in the Protein Data Bank and proteins containing Rossmann-like fold constitute 22% of all known proteins 3D structures. Thus, analysis of viral proteins containing Rossmann-like domains could provide an understanding of viral biology and evolution as well as could propose possible targets for antiviral therapy. We provide functional and evolutionary analysis of viral proteins containing a Rossmann-like fold found in the evolutionary classification of protein domains (ECOD) database developed in our lab. We identified 81 protein families of bacterial, archeal, and eukaryotic viruses in light of their evolution-based ECOD classification and Pfam taxonomy. We defined their functional significance using enzymatic EC number assignments as well as domain-level family annotations.
Limiting speed of a second class particle in ASEP

We study the asymptotic speed of a second class particle in the two-species asymmetric simple exclusion process (ASEP) on $\mathbb{Z}$ with each particle belonging either to the first class or the second class. For any fixed non-negative integer $L$, we consider the two-species ASEP started from the initial data with all the sites of $\mathbb{Z}_{<-L}$ occupied by first class particles, all the sites of $\mathbb{Z}_{[-L,0]}$ occupied by second class particles, and the rest of the sites of $\mathbb{Z}$ unoccupied. With these initial conditions, we show that the speed of the leftmost second class particle converges weakly to a distribution supported on a symmetric compact interval $\Gamma\subset \mathbb{R}$. Furthermore, the limiting distribution is shown to have the same law as the minimum of $L+1$ independent random samples drawn uniformly from the interval $\Gamma$.
“Broken Threads of Varying Colors and Tones”: A Souvenir Album of the Phoenix Indian School (1904)

In spring 1904, the United States Indian Industrial School in Phoenix, Arizona printed a booklet with ninety-four photographs of campus life and local landmarks for sale to the city’s burgeoning to...
Developing a screening tool for sarcopenia in hospitalized geriatric patients: Estimation of appendicular skeletal muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance.

Summary Background & aims Sarcopenia is now a billable ICD-10 geriatric condition characterized by low appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and low function. There is an increasing need for portable, provider-friendly, cost-effective methods for estimating ASMM. The overall goal of this project was to create and validate a regression model for obtaining ASMM from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) measurements using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference. Methods Geriatric patients (≥65 years of age) were enrolled during an acute hospitalization. Body composition measurements were obtained through DXA and BIA devices. The ASMM prediction model was derived using stepwise multiple regression modeling. The model was 10 fold validated and tested as a screening tool (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) using the Foundation for the NIH Sarcopenia Project (FNIH) definition. Results The following variables were selected by stepwise regression modeling: sex, body mass index, max grip strength, and fat mass derived by BIA. The model was internally validated with 10 fold cross validation. Using the FNIH definition, the model was found to have a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 73% and a negative predictive value of 93%. Conclusions We have developed a screening tool that can be easily used in geriatric patients to screen for sarcopenia. Once validated with a larger sample, the developed prediction model can be used to estimate ASMM using provider-friendly measurements and can be easily implemented as a sensitive screening tool for identifying patients at risk for sarcopenia. Those identified at risk would undergo further functional testing for diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia.
Verb learning and the acquisition of aspect: L1 transfer of verb semantics

Abstract Although SLA research has extensively investigated the role of lexical aspect in L2 acquisition of tense-aspect marking, the role of L1 is not yet fully understood. This paper investigates the effect of cross-linguistic variation in lexical aspect and explores how the learning of lexical aspect interacts with the acquisition of aspectual morphology, using oral picture-description and written judgment tasks. 391 learners of Japanese (L1 English, Chinese, and Korean) participated in the study. The results show that L2 learners have problems in rejecting incorrect L2 aspectual structures (but not in accepting correct ones) when such structures involve L1–L2 discrepancy in lexical aspect. The results also confirmed a strong L1 effect at the level of surface inflected verbal form, showing significantly higher accuracy for items for which direct translation yields correct meaning than those that do not. It is argued that L1 transfer may be playing an important role in the L2 acquisition of aspect in that both positive and negative transfer collectively determine the order of acquisition predicted by the Aspect Hypothesis.
Male gender is an independent risk factor for patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: an MBSAQIP® database analysis.

Male patients undergoing bariatric surgery have (historically) been considered higher risk than females. The aim of this study was to examine the disparity between genders undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) procedures and assess gender as an independent risk factor. The MBSAQIP® Data Registry Participant User Files for 2015–2017 was reviewed for patients having primary SG and RYGB. Patients were divided into groups based on gender and procedure. Variables for major complications were grouped together, including but not limited to PE, stroke, and MI. Univariate and propensity matching analyses were performed. Of 429,664 cases, 20.58% were male. Univariate analysis demonstrated males were older (46.48 ± 11.96 vs. 43.71 ± 11.89 years, p < 0.0001), had higher BMI (46.58 ± 8.46 vs. 45.05 ± 7.75 kg/m2, p < 0.0001), and had higher incidence of comorbidities. Males had higher rates of major complications (1.72 vs. 1.05%; p < 0.0001) and 30-day mortality (0.18 vs. 0.07%, p < 0.0001). Significance was maintained after subgroup analysis of SG and RYGB. Propensity matched analysis demonstrated male gender was an independent risk factor for RYGB and SG, major complications [2.21 vs. 1.7%, p < 0.0001 (RYGB), 1.12 vs. 0.89%, p < 0.0001 (SG)], and mortality [0.23 vs. 0.12%, p < 0.0001 (RYGB), 0.10 vs. 0.05%; p < 0.0001 (SG)]. Males continue to represent a disproportionately small percentage of bariatric surgery patients despite having no difference in obesity rates compared to females. Male gender is an independent risk factor for major post-operative complications and 30-day mortality, even after controlling for comorbidities.
Chapter 6 – Administrative and Supervisory Liability

Publisher Summary This chapter examines potential liability issues for the administrator in directing employees in criminal justice agencies. It focuses specifically on federal Section 1983 litigation that names administrators or supervisors as defendants for failing to properly fulfill administrative functions in directing, controlling, hiring, assigning, promoting, training, and disciplining employees. Case examples and strategies for reducing liability exposure are presented in the chapter. Management theories and practices indicate that administrators should be competent in directing the organization as well as in planning, budgeting, staffing, decision-making, controlling staffing, reporting, and supervising employees. Since the Monell decision, administrators must also develop and maintain a managerial competency in understanding that their actions or omissions may expose them to a heightened risk of liability under Section 1983. The chapter examines six of the seven areas in which supervisors may be named as defendants for allegedly failing in their administrative functions: negligent hiring, negligent assignment, negligent entrustment, failure to direct, failure to supervise, and failure to discipline/negligent retention. The legal standard of review in these types of allegations is that of deliberate indifference, which is a high standard for the plaintiff to prove.
Survival estimates for the invasive American bullfrog

American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) are significant invaders in many places and can negatively impact native species. Despite their impact and wide distribution, little is known about their demography. We used five years of capture mark-recapture data to estimate annual apparent survival of post-metamorphic bullfrogs in a population on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in their invaded range in Arizona, U.S.A. This population is a potential source of colonists into breeding ponds used by the federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (L. chiricahuensis). Results from robust-design Cormack-Jolly-Seber models suggested that survival of bullfrogs was influenced by sex and precipitation but not body condition. Survival was higher for females (mean = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.15, 0.72) than males (mean = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.49), and declined with reduced annual precipitation (mean = ‒0.36, 95% CI = ‒2.09, 0.84). These survival estimates can be incorporated into models of population dynamics and to help predict spread of bullfrogs.
Historian in Chief: How Presidents Interpret the Past to Shape the Future: Cotlar, Seth, and Richard J. Ellis, Eds. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia Press, 2019. 296 pages. $39.50 (hardcover).

The edited volume, Historian in Chief: How Presidents Interpret the Past to Shape the Future, argues that “our greatest presidents have been our greatest historians-in-chief because they have groun...
Rift Valley Fever

Rift Valley fever is an epizootic acute febrile illness primarily affecting domesticated sheep and cattle, with the capacity to infect humans, caused by Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus, an arthropod-borne phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family. It is transmitted via contact with body fluids of infected livestock or, less commonly, bites by infected mosquitoes. Human-to-human transmission has not been reported. Its presentation ranges from mild to lethal; the most feared complications are hemorrhagic fever and encephalitis. Ocular manifestations are common (1–10%).
Small volume retinol binding protein measurement by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract Background The measurement of plasma concentrations of retinol binding protein is a component of nutritional assessment in neonatal intensive care. However, serial testing in newborns is hampered by the limited amount of blood that can be sampled. Limitations are most severe with preterm infants, for whom close monitoring may be most important. Methods We developed an assay to quantify retinol binding protein using trypsin digestion and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, which requires a serum or plasma volume of 5 µl. Additionally, we validated the method according to current recommendations and performed comparison with a standard nephelometry platform in clinical use. Results The assay demonstrated linearity from below 1 mg/dL (0.48 µM) to more than 20 mg/dL (9.7 µM), and an imprecision of 11.8% at 0.43 mg/dL (0.21 µM). The distribution of results observed with the new method was different when compared with nephelometry. Conclusion Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry facilitated testing a smaller sample volume, thereby increasing the ability to monitor key nutritional markers in premature infants. The differences in results compared with a commercially-available nephelometric assay revealed questionable results for lower concentrations by immunoassay.
Potential for Machine Learning in Burn Care

Introduction Burn-related injuries are a leading cause of morbidity across the globe. Accurate assessment and treatment have been demonstrated to reduce the morbidity and mortality. This essay explores the forms of artificial intelligence to be implemented the field of burns management to optimise the care we deliver in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Methods Machine Learning methods which predict or classify are explored. This includes linear and logistic regression, artificial neural networks, deep learning, and decision tree analysis. Discussion Utilizing Machine Learning in burns care holds potential from prevention, burns assessment, predicting mortality and critical care monitoring to healing time. Establishing a regional or national Machine Learning group would be the first step towards the development of these essential technologies. Conclusion The implementation of machine learning technologies will require buy-in from the NHS health boards, with significant implications with cost of investment, implementation, employment of machine learning teams and provision of training to medical professionals.