cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal stability of ultra-wide-bandgap MgZnO alloys with wurtzite structure

MgxZn1−xO thin films were grown as metastable alloys via a sputtering technique in order to achieve single-phase wurtzite alloys with deep-UV optical bandgaps. As-grown alloys with Mg composition range 0–72% resulted in optical bandgaps spanning the UV-range of 3.3–4.4 eV. The thermal stability of the alloys was studied via post-growth controlled annealing experiments up to 900 °C. Alloys with low Mg up to 34% were found to be highly stable and retained their optical and material properties; however, alloys with higher Mg, up to 72%, were found to be unstable and were phase separated into wurtzite and cubic structural phases with respective optical bandgaps at ~ 3.5 and 6.0 eV. Both the as-grown and annealed alloys were studied using X-ray diffraction for structural identification, transmission spectroscopy for bandgap analysis, and Raman scattering for mapping the phonon mode-behavior. The experimental value for the solubility limit was found to be ~ 30%. A straightforward model calculation based on the Raman-mode saturation behavior yielded a similar value for the solubility limit of the alloys. The results are discussed in terms of available phase-diagrams for stable-state ceramics alloys that were grown under thermodynamics equilibrium conditions.
Sonographically Guided Office Endometrial Sampling: Indications and Results.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify clinical indications in which endometrial sampling was performed under transabdominal ultrasound (US) guidance and to evaluate the outcomes of this approach in an academic practice. Methods We retrieved data from the electronic medical record for all patients referred to the gynecologic US unit for transabdominal US-guided endometrial sampling from January 2011 to June 2017. Data retrieved included age, parity, previous cesarean delivery or pelvic surgery, indication for endometrial biopsy, US abnormalities, clinical reasoning for US-guided sampling, and pathologic reports. Results A total of 113 patients were referred for US-guided sampling between January 2011 and June 2017. We identified the following reasons for US-guided biopsy referral: failed blind biopsy attempt, fibroids, uterine position or anomaly, need for targeted sampling, cervical stenosis, and other indications. Ninety-five of the 113 patients (84%) underwent successful US-guided endometrial sampling. Forty of the 113 patients were referred after a failed blind biopsy, with 83% subsequently undergoing successful US-guided endometrial sampling. Of the 30 patients referred for fibroids, 29 (97%) underwent successful US-guided sampling. High success rates were also noted for transabdominal US guidance referrals for the uterine position or anomaly (86%) and the need for targeted sampling (83%). Conclusions Our results suggest that endometrial sampling performed under US guidance could be considered for patients with a failed blind approach, fibroids, uterine anomalies, and interest in targeted sampling. In such cases, US-guided sampling could be considered before surgical options.
Prehistoric agricultural transformations in tropical Remote Oceania: Towards comprehensive phytolith analysis

Abstract In Micronesia, and more broadly in the Pacific Islands, human-introduced plants, especially vegetatively-propagated root/tuber and tree crops, form a large part of local diets. Archaeobotanists working in the region often employ phytolith analysis to understand the landscapes these plants help create, the role that they play in human migration and settlement, and socio-cultural aspects of food production systems. However, to more fully understand the benefits and limitations of this method, it is necessary to develop and analyze regional, archaeologically-oriented phytolith reference collections, as has been done in other regions of the world. This paper presents an analysis of one such reference collection to more fully understand the potential and limitations of phytolith analysis in the archaeology of the Pacific Islands, specifically oriented towards the island of Pohnpei, Micronesia. In this analysis, 77 plant taxa were processed, individual phytolith morphologies were recorded, and plants and plant parts were categorized according to phytolith production. Results confirm that phytoliths in the taxa of this region are abundant and specific, and can be used for both understanding landscape use and the function of artifacts and features. However, there are some notable limitations that may be specific to the Pacific region and the crops that grow here.
Of mice and men: incretin actions in the central nervous system.

Abstract Incretins have risen to the forefront of therapies for obesity and related metabolic complications, primarily because of their efficacy and relatively few side effects. Importantly, their efficacy in altering energy balance and decreasing body weight is apparently through actions in the central nervous system (CNS); the latter may have implications beyond obesity per se, i.e. in other disease states associated with obesity including CNS-related disorders. Here, we first describe the role of the CNS in energy homeostasis and then the current state of knowledge in terms of incretin physiology, pathophysiology and efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies. In the future, more clinical studies are needed to fully map mechanistic pathways underlying incretin actions and outcomes in the human CNS. Additionally, future research will likely lead to the discovery of additional novel incretins and/or more efficacious medications with less side effects through the improvement of current compounds with properties that would allow them to have more favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles and/or by combining known and novel incretins into safe and more efficacious combination therapies leading ultimately to more tangible benefits for our patients.
A Normative Database of Hip and Knee Joint Biomechanics During Dynamic Tasks Using Four Functional Methods With Three Functional Calibration Tasks

Although predicted hip joint center (HJC) locations are known to vary widely between functional methods, no previous investigation has detailed functional method-dependent hip and knee biomechanics. The purpose of this study was to define a normative database of hip joint biomechanics during dynamic movements based upon functional HJC methods and calibration tasks. Thirty healthy young adults performed arc, star arc, and two-sided calibration tasks. Motion capture and ground reaction forces were collected during walking, running, and single-leg landings (SLLs). Two sphere-fit (geometric and algebraic) and two coordinate transformation techniques were implemented using each calibration (12 total method-calibration combinations). Surprisingly, the geometric fit-two-sided model placed the HJC at the midline of the pelvis and above the iliac spines, and thus was removed from analyses. A database of triplanar hip and knee kinematics and hip moments and powers was constructed using the mean of all subjects for the eleven method-calibration combinations. A nested analysis of variance approach compared calibration [method] peak hip kinematics and kinetics. Most method differences existed between geometric fit and coordinate transformations (58 of 84 total). No arc-star arc differences were found. Thirty-two differences were found between the two-sided and arc/star arc calibrations. This database of functional method based hip and knee biomechanics serves as an important reference point for interstudy comparisons. Overall, this study illustrates that functional HJC method can dramatically impact hip biomechanics and should be explicitly detailed in future work.
Recovering Joint Probability of Discrete Random Variables From Pairwise Marginals

Learning the joint probability of random variables (RVs) is the cornerstone of statistical signal processing and machine learning. However, direct nonparametric estimation for high-dimensional joint probability is in general impossible, due to the curse of dimensionality. Recent work has proposed to recover the joint probability mass function (PMF) of an arbitrary number of RVs from three-dimensional marginals, leveraging the algebraic properties of low-rank tensor decomposition and the (unknown) dependence among the RVs. Nonetheless, accurately estimating three-dimensional marginals can still be costly in terms of sample complexity, affecting the performance of this line of work in practice in the sample-starved regime. Using three-dimensional marginals also involves challenging tensor decomposition problems whose tractability is unclear. This work puts forth a new framework for learning the joint PMF using only pairwise marginals, which naturally enjoys a lower sample complexity relative to the third-order ones. A coupled nonnegative matrix factorization (CNMF) framework is developed, and its joint PMF recovery guarantees under various conditions are analyzed. Our method also features a Gram–Schmidt (GS)-like algorithm that exhibits competitive runtime performance. The algorithm is shown to provably recover the joint PMF up to bounded error in finite iterations, under reasonable conditions. It is also shown that a recently proposed economical expectation maximization (EM) algorithm guarantees to improve upon the GS-like algorithm's output, thereby further lifting up the accuracy and efficiency. Real-data experiments are employed to showcase the effectiveness.
Facial wrinkles and its treatment

Objective Ageing process and gravity are the mainstay of etiological factor resulting in facial wrinkles. There are two types of wrinkles on the face; dynamic and static. Most of the wrinkles are distributed on the frontal view of the face and neck and treatment options depends on location and types of wrinkles. The face is divided into three parts; upper, middle and lower third. Invariably, the client desire is to treat these wrinkles non surgically, moreover the surgical procedures do not address these frontal, periorbital and particularly glabellar facial wrinkles. This study aim for various types facial wrinkles distributed on the upper face are dynamic i.e. forehead area, glabellar or frown winkles and periorbital wrinkles including crow's feet, nose (bunny lines) etc. The static wrinkles are distributed over the lower part of face includes nasolabial folds, marionette lines, perioral wrinkles etc.1 The present study therefore aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety and to present results with new innovative office based non surgical cosmetic surgery procedures. Material and Methods We have treated 155 clients in Faisal Hospital, Faisalabad with facial wrinkles during three years period from Jan 2015 to Dec 2017. This is a prospective cross sectional randomized observational study. The treatment modalities applied on these clients includes botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. It is quite common in our practice using techniques of platelet rich plasma (PRP), RF microdermabrasion, chemical peelings and photoepilation (LASER/ IPL) etc. for the facial rejuvenation. Results The results achieved with these innovative office based techniques are highly satisfactory in the range of 80-100%, assessed by visual analogue scoring system by client and doctor. Conclusion We recommend these techniques for all age group clients either alone or in combination for the treatment of facial wrinkles.
Comparison of Planar and Tubular Flow Field Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) through Simulation

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are excellent clean energy alternatives to current non-renewable energy sources. Bipolar plates are a key component of these fuel cells and directly responsible for their performance. Traditional bipolar plates are created in a planar form, but recent research has revealed a novel tubular design that performs similarly to conventional plates. This study compares traditional planar designs with tubular ones. The finite element ANSYS software was used to determine and visualize velocity and pressure distributions of fluid flow through the bipolar plate channels.
Parallel high-frequency magnetic sensing with an array of flux transformers and multi-channel optically pumped magnetometer for hand MRI application

We investigate an approach for parallel high-frequency magnetic sensing based on a multi-channel radio frequency (RF) optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) coupled to multiple flux transformers (FTs) with a focus on hand magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) application at ultra-low field (ULF). Multiple RF OPM sensing channels are realized by using a single large-area alkali-metal vapor cell and two laser beams for pumping and probing, shared for all the channels. This design leads to significant cost reduction when multi-channel sensing is desirable, as in the case of ULF MRI. The FT, composed of two connected coils, serves as a transmitter of a target magnetic field to the OPM, while decoupling the OPM from untargeted magnetic fields in the sensing area that can limit the OPM performance. For hand MRI application, theoretical and numerical analysis is performed to determine an optimal geometry for the FT array that could improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and sufficiently reduce crosstalk between FTs. We estimate that the optimized multi-channel FT-OPM sensor can achieve a magnetic field sensitivity of the order of 1 fT / Hz 1 / 2 above 100 kHz, which would be sufficient for 1 mm resolution MRI. In general, the multi-channel capability enables simultaneous magnetic measurements, thus reducing the sensing time and improving the SNR, and we anticipate many applications of the multi-channel FT-OPM sensor beyond the targeted here hand MRI: anatomical parallel ULF MRI of the human brain and other parts of the body, airport security screening, magnetic material imaging, and many others.
94 Comparative benefit of olaparib in recurrent BRCAm ovarian, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer

Objectives To compare the extent of clinical benefit and cost effectiveness of olaparib in ovarian cancer compared to breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. Methods Data were extracted from FDA labels for olaparib. We compared the use of olaparib in gBRCAm (germline BRCA mutant) recurrent ovarian, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. Prevalence of the germline BRCA biomarker and survival benefit were compared between gynecologic and other cancer types. Incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) analyses will be performed. Results In ovarian cancer, 15–20% of patients carry gBRCAm. Treatment with olaparib at recurrence with gBRCAm increased PFS by 4.7 months progression-free survival (PFS) versus gBRCAwt (Study 19). In gBRCAm breast cancer, 10–15% of patients carry gBRCAm and had 2.8 month PFS benefit (OlympiAD). In pancreatic adenocarcinoma, gBRCAm is present in 9%, and POLO demonstrated a 3.6 months PFS benefit. Olaparib is approved for gBRCAm or homologous-recombination deficient (HRD) in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. With gBRCAm (present in 1–2% of patients), there was a 3.8 month of PFS benefit (PROfound), and 2.3 months including gBRCAm and HRD. Conclusions Across cancer types with FDA approval for olaparib, the clinical benefit and proportion of patients eligible is highest in ovarian cancer. PFS benefit is similar across cancer types (2–5 month range). Prostate cancer is the only cancer with FDA approval for treatment with olaparib in the recurrent setting for both HRD and gBRCA. Additional study is on HRD breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer to determine if olaparib therapy could benefit these populations.
Large Order Size Liquidity in Treasury Markets

We measure market liquidity for large-sized orders in the ten-year treasury futures market estimating mean-variance frontiers for their execution cost during the period of 2012 to 2017. We identify large orders from regulatory transaction data and introduce a methodological innovation to infer the urgency of a large order from the pattern of its execution. We find that the mean-variance frontier becomes significantly worse as order size increases, but that the frontier has improved over the time period studied. We also find that the costs of executing large orders on behalf of customers are significantly greater than the costs of executing orders for house accounts.
Characterization of supersmooth surfaces with roughness below 0.1 nm

Supersmooth surfaces with a roughness of 0. 05 nm have been developed and characterized by Nomarski microscopy and other optical and mechanical profiling systems. Photomicro graphs of these surfaces are being discussed. 1.
Efficient Reasoning upon Fusion of Many Data Sources.

Bayesian Knowledge Bases (BKB), a graphical model for representing structured probabilistic information, allow for efficient fusion of knowledge from multiple sources. Past research has focused on knowledge fusion situations that only involve a limited number of sources. In this work, we extend the BKB fusion research by exploring the effect of fusing information from many sources. This extension quickly yields a reasoning bottleneck that we overcome by leveraging a representation modification algorithm. With this algorithm, we show how reasoning complexity upon fusion of many sources can be significantly reduced while maintaining the underlying probability semantics of all sources. This develops a means for BKBs to be used in various data fusion problems, allowing previously intractable problems to be studied. We further illustrate our solution empirically using two simulated problems as well as practically through survival time analysis of breast cancer data taken from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Program.
Freestanding hydrogel lumens for biological assays

Lumen structures exist throughout the human body, and the vessels of the circulatory system are essential in carrying nutrients and oxygen and regulating inflammation. Vasodilation, the widening of the blood vessel lumen, is important to the immune response as it increases blood flow to a site of inflammation, raises local temperature, and enables optimal immune system function. A common method for studying vasodilation uses excised vessels from animals; major drawbacks include inconsistencies, time-consuming procedures, the need to sacrifice animals, and differences between model animal and human biology. We have developed a simple, user-friendly in vitro method to form freestanding cell-laden vessel-like structures from collagen and quantitatively measure the effects of vasodilators on the size of the structure. The hydrogel rings are composed of collagen I laden with human vascular smooth muscle cells, a major cellular and structural component of blood vessels; we also demonstrate the ability to line the lumen with endothelial cells. The methods presented include a 3D printed device (which is amenable to future fabrication by injection molding) and commercially available components (e.g., Teflon tubing or a syringe) used to form hydrogel rings between 2.6-4.6 mm outer diameter and 0.79-1.0 mm inner diameter. The rings enable the measurement of dynamic changes when vasodilators are added; here we demonstrated a significant difference in ring area in the presence of a known vasodilator, fasudil (p<0.0001). Our method is easy to implement and provides a medium-throughput solution to generating blood vessel-like model structures for future investigations of the fundamental mechanisms of vasodilation (e.g., studying uncharacterized endogenous molecules that may have vasoactivity) and testing vasoactive drugs.
The Postmodern Brain

This interdisciplinary work discloses an unexpected coherence between recent concepts in brain science and postmodern thought. A nonlinear dynamical model of brain states is viewed as an autopoietic, autorhoetic, self-organizing, self-tuning eruption under multiple constraints and guided by an overarching optimization principle which insures conservation of invariances and enhancement of symmetries. The nonlinear dynamical brain as developed shows quantum nonlocality, undergoes chaotic regimes, and does not compute. Heidegger and Derrida are ‘appropriated’ as dynamical theorists who are concerned respectively with the movement of time and being ( Ereignis ) and text ( Differance ). The chasm between postmodern thought and the thoroughly metaphysical theory that the brain computes is breached, once the nonlinear dynamical framework is adopted. The book is written in a postmodern style, making playful, opportunistic use of marginalia and dreams, and presenting a nonserial surface of broken complexity. (Series A)
OP23 – 2759: Pharmacological treatment of Rett syndrome with glatiramer acetate (Copaxone)

Background Glatiramer Acetate (GA) represents a collection of synthetic polypeptides approved for the treatment of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, for patients who are 18 years or older. Its high safety profile has been documented in large cohorts of patients 10 or older. Quantitative immunofluorescence assays showed about twofold increase in neuronal expression of BDNF following GA treatment. It causes elevation of BDNF expression up to the level in naive control mice in several cortical areas in the Mecp2 mutated mouse brain. The disease progression of Mecp2 mutant mice is affected by the level of BDNF expression (Chang et al. 2006). Objective Increase in BDNF levels, caused by GA administration will lead to amelioration of RTT related symptoms. Hypothesis: The experimental treatment will be well tolerated and result in at least 20% improvement in at least one of the Rett syndrome related symptoms. Methods Study design: Phase II, dose-escalating trial. Inclusion criteria Female, ambulatory patients with genetically confirmed RTT who are 10 or more years old. Outcome measures: Gait, respiratory function, attention and memory, EEG. Objectives • Primary: To assess primary efficacy of GA in improving gait speed in patients with RTT. • Secondary: a. To evaluate secondary efficacy of GA in improving cognition (visual attention, memory and visual pursuit), autonomic (respiratory) function, encephalopathy (EEG), and quality of life. b. To assess safety and maximally tolerated dosage. Results Treatment with GA lead to significant improvement in gait speed, breath hold index and recognition memory. Seven of 10 treated girls exhibited the improvement. There was no difference in age, genetic status or Rett syndrome severity scores between those who did and who did not improve. Conclusion Treatment with GA was well-tolerated and lead to significant improvements in girls with RTT.
A data fusion approach to tumor delineation

An improved methodology is presented for the localization of tumors for radiation therapy treatment planning applications. The proposed approach focuses on the integration of MRI, CT, and PET imaging data towards the generation of a mathematically optimal tumor boundary. Fuzzy edges derived from CT and MRI are fused to form an integrated edge map which is employed in conjunction with a region based analysis of the PET scan to guide the evolution of a tumor segmenting model. The presented algorithm yields tumor contours which may be employed directly in the radiation therapy treatment planning process.
Alumina‐SiC Whisker Composites

Previous results have shown that alumina reinforced with SiC whiskers is an attractive material for application in advanced heat engines. This composite exhibits excellent strength and toughness up to temperatures of approx.1000/sup 0/C and is very resistant to slow crack growth. Reinforcement of a mullite matrix by the SiC whiskers has also been demonstrated. Recent experiments have investigated other aspects to applying the SiC whisker-reinforced alumina in heat engines. The results have shown the whisker reinforced alumina to have excellent thermal shock resistance, and a good Weibull modulus (indicating good reliability). Fabrication of high toughness composites by pressureless sintering was found to be a viable process for alumina with whisker contents <20 vol %. In addition, whisker reinforcement may be combined with transformation toughening in the alumina and mullite matrix systems for improved mechanical properties. Isothermal heating tests indicated that oxidation of the SiC whiskers in an alumina matrix caused degradation of mechanical properties in currently developed materials.
Advanced analytical electron microscopy for lithium-ion batteries

Recent advances in advanced analytical electron microscopy (AEM) and their implications for studying lithium-ion batteries are reviewed. Lithium-ion batteries are promising for powering electric vehicles and for use in smart grid applications, but require further optimization before they can achieve widespread use in these applications. Powerful advanced AEM techniques are ideal for gaining unprecedented insight into the dynamic processes of active lithium-ion batteries. Miaofang Chi, a research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and her co-workers overview recent developments in novel AEM capabilities and demonstrate how such methods have created unrivaled opportunities for understanding the working mechanisms of battery materials. Both static, ex situ studies and newly developed in situ AEM techniques, which offer the opportunity to explore dynamic electrochemical processes during charging and discharging, are highlighted. The scientists also propose future directions.
Cleidocranial dysostosis: Report of a case

Abstract The cause of cleidocranial dysostosis is unknown. While many cases show a strong hereditary pattern, other cases have appeared for which no hereditary background could be determined. The latter have been construed as mutations. The osseous system is most commonly affected, but other body structures may be involved. The most pronounced osseous involvement is seen in the skull and clavicles. There usually is a disproportionate relationship of the skull and face. The odontogenic apparatus is frequently involved with delayed eruption of the permanent teeth, submerged and impacted teeth, and the presence of supernumerary teeth. Cases have been described in which neurologic damage has occurred. For the most part, however, mentality is not affected and the patient is able to lead a normal life.
Human Zinc Metabolism: Advances in the Modeling of Stable Isotope Data

Compartmental modeling is a useful tool for investigating metabolic systems and processes. We and others have applied it to the study of zinc metabolism in humans. Because existing models could not be accurately fitted to our data, we have developed a new model of human zinc metabolism based on stable isotope tracer data from studies of five healthy adults. Multiple isotope tracers were administered orally and intravenously and the resulting enrichment measurement in plasma, erythrocytes, urine, and feces. These tracer kinetic data, along with other measured and calculated tracee and steady-state data, were used to develop the model. A single model structure composed of fourteen compartments was found to be suitable for all subjects. Model development and fitting of data and model for each subject were accomplished using the SAAM/CONSAM computer programs. The model development and fitting processes are described and exemplified using data from one of the subjects. While identifiability could not be demonstrated a priori due to the model’s complexity, parameter statistics for the fitted models did show most parameters to be adequately identified a posteriori.
Studies on the respiratory chain-linked reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase. XV. Interactions of piericidin with the mitochondrial respiratory chain.

Abstract Titration of submitochondrial particles with 14C-piericidin A, labeled by biosynthesis, results in linear binding which continues well beyond the point at which NADH oxidase activity is completely inhibited. However, when the titrated particles are treated with a bovine serum albumin solution, excellent proportionality is found between the binding and inhibition curves, indicating that binding is only at the specific site associated with NADH oxidase activity, and not at unspecific sites. The titer for 14C-piericidin A at the specific site in membrane fragments of varying complexity in cytochrome composition is 1 to 1.5 times the estimated concentration of NADH dehydrogenase. These findings confirm and extend previous studies with 14C-rotenone which binds at the same site but with a lower affinity, requiring indirect rather than direct calculation of the titer. The binding of 14C-piericidin A to the specific site is noncovalent, since the radiocarbon bound to this site is released by protein denaturants, phospholipase A, and proteolytic enzymes. Rotenone and Amytal, which bind at the same specific site as piericidin A, do not effectively compete with piericidin A nor remove it from this site, while piericidin A readily displaces bound rotenone from the specific site. Thus, piericidin A is a more specific and more tightly bound inhibitor of the NADH oxidase segment of the respiratory chain than either rotenone or barbiturates. Several labeled 14C-compounds related to piericidin A, although qualitatively acting in the same manner, are less effective inhibitors and bind less tightly. The inhibition of succinoxidase activity by piericidin A reported in the literature requires high inhibitor concentration and is probably associated with unspecific binding. Only cytochrome b reduction accompanies NADH oxidation in piericidin A-inhibited submitochondrial particles, whereas all the cytochromes are slowly reduced in piericidin A-inhibited mitochondria.
Structural methods for studying IRES function.

Abstract Internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) substitute RNA sequences for some or all of the canonical translation initiation protein factors. Therefore, an important component of understanding IRES function is a description of the three-dimensional structure of the IRES RNA underlying this mechanism. This includes determining the degree to which the RNA folds, the global RNA architecture, and higher resolution information when warranted. Knowledge of the RNA structural features guides ongoing mechanistic and functional studies. In this chapter, we present a roadmap to structurally characterize a folded RNA, beginning from initial studies to define the overall architecture and leading to high-resolution structural studies. The experimental strategy presented here is not unique to IRES RNAs but is adaptable to virtually any RNA of interest, although characterization of RNA–protein interactions requires additional methods. Because IRES RNAs have a specific function, we present specific ways in which the data are interpreted to gain insight into that function. We provide protocols for key experiments that are particularly useful for studying IRES RNA structure and that provide a framework onto which additional approaches are integrated. The protocols we present are solution hydroxyl radical probing, RNase T1 probing, native gel electrophoresis, sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation, and strategies to engineer RNA for crystallization and to obtain initial crystals.
Associations of sexual and gender minority status with health indicators, health risk factors, and social stressors in a national sample of young adults with military experience

PURPOSE: To assess the associations of self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning sexual orientation or transgender status (LGBTQ) and military experience with health indicators. METHODS: We used data from the Fall 2012 National College Health Assessment. The survey included self-identified sociodemographic characteristics, mental (e.g., depression) and physical (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus) conditions, health risk behaviors (e.g., smoking), and social stressors (e.g., victimization). We used modified Poisson regression models, stratified by self-reported military service, to examine LGBTQ-related differences in health indicators, whereas adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Of 27,176 in the sample, among the military-experienced group, LGBTQ individuals had increased adjusted risks of reporting a past-year suicide attempt (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 4.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39-13.67), human immunodeficiency virus (aRR = 9.90; 95% CI = 1.04-79.67), and discrimination (aRR = 4.67; 95% CI = 2.05-10.66) than their non-LGBTQ peers. Among LGBTQ individuals, military experience was associated with a nearly four-fold increased risk of reporting a past-year suicide attempt (aRR = 3.61; 95% CI = 1.46-8.91) adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, marital status, depression, and other psychiatric diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Military experience may moderate health indicators among LGBTQ populations, and likewise, LGBTQ status likely modifies health conditions among military-experienced populations. RESULTS suggest that agencies serving military populations should assess how and if the health needs of LGBTQ individuals are met. Language: en
Fungal high-throughput taxonomic identification tool for use with next-generation sequencing (FHiTINGS).

Improvements in DNA sequencing technology provide unprecedented opportunities to explore fungal diversity, but also present challenges in data analysis due to the large number of sequences generated. Here, we describe an open source software program "FHiTINGS" that utilizes the output of a BLASTn (blastall) search to rapidly identify, classify, and parse internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA sequences produced in fungal ecology studies that utilize next-generation DNA sequencing. This tool was designed for use with 454 pyrosequencing and is also appropriate for use with any sequencing platform that allows for BLAST searches against the indicated ITS database. For each sequence, FHiTINGS uses the lowest common ancestor method (LCA) to produce a single identification from BLAST output results, and then assigns taxonomic ranks from species through kingdom when possible for each sequence based on the Index Fungorum database. The program then sums and sorts this data into tabular form to enable rapid analysis of the sample, including α-diversity measures or richness. In silico testing demonstrates the time required to analyze and classify 1000 sequences is reduced from over 2 h by manual sorting to <1 min of computational time when using FHiTINGS, and that the classification output from the software is consistent with that derived from manual sorting of the data.
Performance Analysis of Wavefront Algorithms on Very-Large Scale Distributed Systems

We present a model for the parallel performance of algorithms that consist of concurrent, two-dimensional wavefronts implemented in a message passing environment. The model combines the separate contributions of computation and communication wavefronts. We validate the model on three important supercomputer systems, on up to 500 processors. We use data from a deterministic particle transport application taken from the ASCI workload, although the model is general to any wavefront algorithm implemented on a 2-D processor domain. We also use the validated model to make estimates of performance and scalability of wavefront algorithms on 100-TFLOPS computer systems expected to be in existence within the next decade as part of the ASCI program and elsewhere. On such machines our analysis shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, inter-processor communication performance is not the bottleneck. Single-node efficiency is the dominant factor.
Metal‐Organic Frameworks: Harmful Gas Removal

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered to be novel adsorbents for a variety of applications, because of their high surface areas, large pore volumes, tunable pore geometries, and versatile chemical compositions. Besides their applications in energy gas storage, such as H2 and CH4, harmful gas removal has become an important potential area for MOFs applications. This chapter reviews recent research related to four different types of harmful gas adsorption in MOFs, including greenhouse gases such as CO2, inorganic toxic gases such as SOx, NOx, and NH3; volatile organic compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde; and radioactive gases such as Xe, Kr, and I2. This information is organized in a way that will attempt to introduce this attractive research area to a broad audience, as well as to reveal some trends and significant discoveries to the researchers who are interested in this area. Obviously, removing harmful gases can provide a cleaner and safer living environment to human beings and other creatures. MOFs as novel adsorbents possess advantages, such as high gas adsorption capacities and selectivities, as well as adjustable properties to suit specific needs. However, more fundamental work is still necessary to understand this topic better, and some challenges, such as cost and stability, are in the way of applying MOFs to practical applications. Keywords: metal–organic framework; gas adsorption; CO2 capture; toxic gas; volatile organic compound; radioactive gas
Abl family tyrosine kinases are essential for basement membrane integrity and cortical lamination in the cerebellum

The Abl family nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, consisting of closely related Abl and Arg (Abl-related gene), play essential roles in mouse neurulation, but their functions in the subsequent development of CNS are poorly understood. Here, we show that conditional deletion of Abl in precursors of neurons and glia on an Arg knock-out background leads to striking cerebellar malformations, including defects in anterior cerebellar morphogenesis, granule cell ectopia, and hypoplasia. Time course analyses reveal that the abnormal anterior cerebellar foliation results from local disruptions of the basement membrane (BM) located between radial glial endfeet and the meninges during embryonic cerebellar development. Granule cell ectopia and hypoplasia are also associated with the breaches in the BM and abnormal Bergmann glial networks during postnatal cerebellar development. In vitro culture experiments indicate that Abl/Arg-deficient granule cells can interact with glial processes and proliferate normally in response to sonic hedgehog compared to cells isolated from control mice. Consistent with these findings, selective ablation of Abl family kinases in cerebellar granule cells alone does not cause any abnormality, suggesting that deletion of Abl/Arg from glia is likely required for the mutant phenotype. Together, these results provide compelling evidence that Abl and Arg play key redundant roles in BM maintenance and cortical lamination in the cerebellum.
Ferritic oxide dispersion strengthened alloys by spark plasma sintering

Abstract Spark plasma sintering (SPS) was used to consolidate a Fe–16Cr–3Al (wt.%) powder that was mechanically alloyed with Y 2 O 3 and Ti powders to produce 0.5 Y 2 O 3 and 0.5 Y 2 O 3 –1Ti powders. The effects of mechanical alloying and sintering conditions on the microstructure, relative density and hardness of the sintered oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are presented. Scanning electron microscopy indicated a mixed fine-grain and coarse-grain microstructure that was attributed to recrystallization and grain growth during sintering. Analysis of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) data identified Y–O and Y–O–Ti nanoclusters. Elemental ratios of these nanoclusters were consistent with that observed in hot-extruded ODS alloys. The influence of Ti was to refine the grains as well as the nanoclusters with there being greater number density and smaller sizes of the Y–O–Ti nanoclusters as compared to the Y–O nanoclusters. This resulted in the Ti-containing samples being harder than the Ti-free alloys. The hardness of the alloys with the Y–O–Ti nanoclusters was insensitive to sintering time while smaller hardness values were associated with longer sintering times for the alloys with the Y–O nanoclusters. Pressures greater than 80 MPa are recommended for improved densification as higher sintering temperatures and longer sintering times at 80 MPa did not improve the relative density beyond 97.5%.
Disposable diaper to collect urine samples from young children for pyrethroid pesticide studies.

Disposable diapers are widely used in the US and many other areas in the world; therefore, they are ideal media for urine collection for measurement of young children's exposure to pesticides. However, disposable diapers normally contain polyacrylate polymers that make the extraction and analysis of urine very difficult. The objectives of this paper were to evaluate whether disposable diapers that contain polyacrylate granules can be extracted using salt solutions, and whether they can be used for the collection and quantitative measurements of selected urinary pyrethroid pesticide metabolites and creatinine. The storage stability of the metabolites and creatinine in a wet diaper at body temperature and at refrigeration temperature was also evaluated. Salt solutions including calcium chloride dihydrate, magnesium sulfate, ammonium acetate, and sodium chloride solutions were tested for efficiency of polymer shrinkage. Pyrethroid metabolites 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-(1-cyclopropane) carboxylic acid (DCCA), 3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2,dimethyl-(1-cyclopropane) carboxylic acid (DBCA) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) were analyzed using LC/MS/MS and evaluated for recoveries in the urine released from the diapers. The study found calcium chloride dihydate to be satisfactory in releasing urine and metabolites from the polymers. The percent recoveries for the three tested pyrethroid metabolites were mostly in the range of 65–130. The percent recoveries for creatinine were in the range of 71–133. The detection limit for each of the three metabolites was 0.1 μg/l. The pyrethroid metabolites and creatinine were stable on the diaper for at least 72 h. We concluded from this study that calcium chloride dihydrate can successfully release urine and metabolites from polyacrylate-containing diapers, and the method is promising for studies of pyrethroid metabolites.
Increasing Dialysate Flow Rate Increases Dialyzer Urea Mass Transfer-Area Coefficients During Clinical Use

Dialyzer clearance depends on blood and dialysate flow rates and the product of the membrane surface area and mass transfer coefficient for the solute of interest, K(o)A. K(o)A is usually assumed to be constant for a given dialyzer and solute. Results of two recent studies challenge this assumption. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that K(o)A depends on blood and dialysate flow rates during clinical dialysis. Urea clearances were measured for two different dialyzers at all four combinations of two blood flow rates (300 and 400 mL/min) and two dialysate flow rates (500 and 800 mL/min). Urea K(o)A was calculated by using standard equations for mass transfer in dialyzers operated with countercurrent flows. The impact of blood and dialysate flow rates on K(o)A was assessed by analysis of variance. Increasing dialysate flow rate from 500 to 800 mL/min significantly increased K(o)A (P = 0.018). Increasing blood flow rate from 300 to 400 mL/min did not significantly increase K(o)A (P = 0.083). Also, K(o)A decreased significantly with increasing hematocrit (P = 0.022). The results of this study extend previous in vitro findings by showing that increasing the dialysate flow rate increases urea K(o)A during clinical dialysis. However, the increase in K(o)A observed during clinical dialysis (5.7%) is less than that previously reported in vitro (14.7%), possibly because of the impact of blood cells and proteins on blood-side mass transfer resistance.
The effects of realistic pancake solenoids on particle transport

Solenoids are widely used to transport or focus particle beams. Usually, they are assumed as being ideal solenoids with a high axial-symmetry magnetic field. Using the Vector Field Opera program, we modeled asymmetrical solenoids with realistic geometry defects, caused by finite conductor and current jumpers. Their multipole magnetic components were analyzed with the Fourier fit method; we present some possible optimized methods for them. We also discuss the effects of 'realistic' solenoids on low energy particle transport. The finding in this paper may be applicable to some lower energy particle transport system design.
Analysis of DNA Replication by Fluorescencein SituHybridization

Abstract Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been shown to discriminate between unreplicated and replicated regions of the genome in interphase nuclei, based on the number of specific fluorescent signals that can be detected. By examining the replication status of hybridizing sequences in large numbers of individual cells from an asynchronously growing population, it is possible to deduce a relative order of replication of different sequences. The availability of well-mapped genomic probes and the ability to compare results from different cell lines make this a convenient approach with which to map domains of replication timing control at any chromosomal position and to relate this to various patterns of gene expression. Since there appear to be important but poorly understood correlations among replication timing, chromatin structure, and transcriptional competence in mammalian cells, this provides a valuable approach to understanding these interrelationships at the molecular level. The procedures for using FISH to examine replication timing in mammalian nuclei are described here in detail, and the advantages and limitations of the approach are discussed. Some other strategies for using high-resolution FISH on chromatin fibers to examine replication properties of specific sequences in situ are also described.
Evaluation of spectral CT data acquisition methods via non-stochastic variance maps

Recently, photon counting detectors capable of extracting spectral information have received much attention in CT, with promise of using spectral information to construct material basis images, correct beam-hardening artifacts, or provide improved imaging of K-edge contrast agents. 1, 2 In this work, we focus on the goal of constructing images of basis material maps, and investigate the feasibility of analytically computing pixel variance maps for these images, so that alternative data acquisition and reconstruction methods can be compared and evaluated with respect to their noise properties. Our approach is based on linearization of the basis material decomposition and reconstruction operations, and we therefore demonstrate the method using the ubiquitous filtered back-projection algorithm, which is linear. We then performed preliminary investigation of the method by comparing basis material variance maps for two data acquisition methods that were previously found to have different noise properties: 3 two-sided bin measurements acquired from separate, independent data realizations and two-sided bin measurements acquired from a single data realization.