cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial Representation of the Glomerular Map in the Drosophila Protocerebrum

In the fruit fly, Drosophila, olfactory sensory neurons expressing a given receptor project to spatially invariant loci in the antennal lobe to create a topographic map of receptor activation. We have asked how the map in the antennal lobe is represented in higher sensory centers in the brain. Random labeling of individual projection neurons using the FLP-out technique reveals that projection neurons that innervate the same glomerulus exhibit strikingly similar axonal topography, whereas neurons from different glomeruli display very different patterns of projection in the protocerebrum. These results demonstrate that a topographic map of olfactory information is retained in higher brain centers, but the character of the map differs from that of the antennal lobe, affording an opportunity for integration of olfactory sensory input.
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in a female.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema, and various degrees of immune deficiency. Carriers of mutated WASP have nonrandom X chromosome inactivation in their blood cells and are disease-free. We report data on a 14-month-old girl with a history of WAS in her family who presented with thrombocytopenia, small platelets, and immunologic dysfunction. Sequencing of the WASP gene showed that the patient was heterozygous for the splice site mutation previously found in one of her relatives with WAS. Sequencing of all WASP exons revealed no other mutation. Levels of WASP in blood mononuclear cells were 60% of normal. Flow cytometry after intracellular staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with WASP monoclonal antibody revealed both WASPbright and WASPdimpopulations. X chromosome inactivation in the patient's blood cells was found to be random, demonstrating that both maternal and paternal active X chromosomes are present. These findings indicate that the female patient has a defect in the mechanisms that lead in disease-free WAS carriers to preferential survival/proliferation of cells bearing the active wild-type X chromosome. Whereas the patient's lymphocytes are skewed toward WASPbright cells, about 65% of her monocytes and the majority of her B cells (CD19+) are WASPdim. Her naive T cells (CD3+CD45RA+) include WASPbrightand WASPdim populations, but her memory T cells (CD3+CD45RA−) are all WASPbright. After activation in vitro of T cells, all cells exhibited CD3+CD45RA− phenotype and most were WASPbright with active paternal (wild-type) X chromosome, suggesting selection against the mutated WASP allele during terminal T-cell maturation/differentiation.
A method for cycle time estimation of semiconductor manufacturing toolsets with correlations

This paper proposes a cycle time estimation method for typical toolsets in Semiconductor Fabrication Facilities (Fabs). Due to sophisticated process flows and requirements of the process, queueing models for toolsets can become very complicated and their performance has been unsatisfactory due to the low accuracy of their results. In this paper, we first study the performance of classical queuing models using a high volume manufacturing toolset as our case study and discuss the potential causes for failure of classical models in predicting its cycle time. Then we propose a new approach for estimating the cycle time of toolsets that have inherent correlation between their arrival and service processes. Finally we apply this method to our case study toolset and show that the accuracy of cycle time estimation is improved significantly compared to use of classical queueing models.
Differences Between Stereocilia Numbers on Type I and Type II Vestibular Hair Cells

A major outstanding goal of vestibular neuroscience is to understand the distinctive functional roles of type I and type II hair cells. One important question is whether these two hair cell types d...
Computational Studies of Intramolecular Hydrogen Atom Transfers in the β-Hydroxyethylperoxy and β-Hydroxyethoxy Radicals

The β-hydroxyethylperoxy (I) and β-hydroxyethoxy (III) radicals are prototypes of species that can undergo hydrogen atom transfer across their intramolecular hydrogen bonds. These reactions may play an important role in both the atmosphere and in combustion systems. We have used density functional theory and composite electronic structure methods to predict the energetics of these reactions, RRKM/master equation simulations to model the kinetics of chemically activated I, and variational transition state theory (TST) to predict thermal rate constants for the 1,5-hydrogen shift in I (Reaction 1) and the 1,4-hydrogen shift in III (Reaction 2). Our multi-coefficient Gaussian-3 calculations predict that Reaction 1 has a barrier of 23.59 kcal/mol, and that Reaction 2 has a barrier of 22.71 kcal/mol. These predictions agree rather well with the MPW1K and BB1K density functional theory predictions but disagree with predictions based on B3LYP energies or geometries. Our RRKM/master equation simulations suggest th...
Effect of oxygen level on simultaneous nitrogenase and sMMO expression and activity in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b and its sMMOC mutant, PP319: aerotolerant N2 fixation in PP319

Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) expression and activity were monitored under conditions that either promoted or suppressed the expression of nitrogenase in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b wild-type (WT) and in its sMMO-constitutive mutant, PP319. Both WT and mutant cultures had reduced sMMO activity and protein levels under elevated O2 conditions (188 μM) compared with low O2 conditions (24 μM). Simultaneous N2 fixation also reduced sMMO activity in both cultures when O2 was low. However, when O2 levels were increased, nitrogenase expression ceased and sMMO activity was reduced by ∼77% in the WT, whereas sMMO and nitrogenase expression and activity in PP319 were relatively unaffected by the higher O2 levels. Western immunoblot analysis showed that the nitrogenase Fe protein resolved as two components (apparent molecular mass of 30.5 and 32 kDa) in both the WT and PP319 when O2 levels were low. When O2 levels were high, only the 32-kDa form of the Fe protein was present in PP319, whereas neither form was detectable in the WT. Aerotolerant N2 fixation appears to be associated with the 32-kDa Fe protein in M. trichosporium OB3b.
A Review of “The Age of Openness: China before Mao”

Frank Dikotter's concise book, The Age of Openness: China before Mao, seems prescient in its call for scholars to reexamine China's Republican era (1912–49), a period that Dikotter feels has been u...
Fathers' Rights Groups, Domestic Violence and Political Countermobilization

Domestic violence continues to be a serious problem for women in the United States. As a result, the battered women's movement has been tireless in campaigning for greater awareness of the issue, tougher penalties against offenders, and public vigilance against potential batterers, including fathers from dissolving families. In reaction to this stance, a small but vocal countermovement composed of activists in the fathers' rights movement has argued that the BWM is guilty of what I term enemy boundary creep, a perception whereby these men maintain that they have been inappropriately targeted. Using 40 in-depth interviews with fathers' rights activists located across the country, this article details the narrative that these men have composed as to why the BWM is expanding the scope of its enemies, the tactics that the BWM is using in this campaign, and the insidious effects that these efforts are having on fathers across the country. This narrative formulates a boundary-push back response. This analysis thus articulates how an unlikely countermovement can use the accusation of enemy boundary creep by its social movement opponents in an effort to shift the political discourse on a significant public problem.
Does Body Size Predict Dates of Species Description among North American and Australian Reptiles and Amphibians

Which factors determine whether a species is obvious to collectors? For some taxa, species of small body size tend to be described later than large-bodied species, perhaps because large animals are more obvious or easily captured. Thus it has been proposed that current estimates of species numbers within taxa may be biased, as they may not include small species. However, the trend for recently described species to be small-bodied has only been observed in a few higher taxa, and may not be general. Herein, we examine the relationships between body size and date of description for the entire herpetofaunas of North America and Australia (snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and salamanders). We found that body size is generally a poor predictor of description date in herpetofaunal taxa. Even for most taxa that did exhibit a negative relationship between these variables, recently described species could not be distinguished from a random draw from overall species pools. We interpret our results in the light of the history of exploration of these continents and the biology of reptiles and amphibians.
Interbacterial binding among strains of pathogenic and commensal oral bacterial species

Abstract Strong interspecies adherence was demonstrated among the periodontal pathogens Treponema denticola, Bacteroides forsythus and Porphyromonas gingivalis, and between these pathogens and the commensal plaque organism Streptococcus crista. Adherence showed specificity and demonstrated saturation binding kinetics. Binding between B. forsythus and P. gingivalis appeared to be a unimodal protein-protein interaction. Binding between the other organisms was at least bimodal involving interactions between combinations of proteins and carbohydrates with a variety of sugar specificities. Salivary molecules prevented adherence between T. denticola and S. crista, and serum eliminated B. forsythus binding to P. gingivalis. All other interactions occurred to some degree in the presence of serum and saliva. Such interbacterial binding interactions may be important in the establishment of periodontopathic plaque.
An Intelligent Network Management System with Multi-Tier Distributed Intelligence for Optical Packet-Agile Transport Networks

This paper presents an intelligent network management system (INMS) for optical packet-switching transport networks. The INMS introduces multi-tier distributed intelligence into the network management plane in order to address the challenges of managing the dynamic optical packet-switching transport network. Beyond the fundamental functions of monitoring and configuration the INMS provides the capabilities of intelligent deducing and proactive response. It also supports automatic resource allocation and fast reconfiguration. We have successfully implemented a prototype of the INMS, and demonstrated the effectiveness of the INMS by on-line traffic engineering over optical packet-switching networks facilitated by the multi-tier distributed intelligence. This paper also discusses the details of the implementation and simulation results.
Use of lissamine rhodamine ceramide trihexoside as a functional assay for alpha-galactosidase A in intact cells.

Fabry disease is an X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the GLA gene encoding for α-galactosidase A (AGA, EC 3.2.1.22). Measurement of AGA enzyme activity using cell homogenates can easily identify men with Fabry disease, but in women, the degree of X-inactivation in the tested tissue may produce activities in homogenates that are indistinguishable from normal. Monti et al. developed a series of lissamine rhodamine-labeled glycosphingolipid substrates that can be used to measure clearance of these lipids in intact cells (1). We report here that one of these substrates, lissamine rhodamine ceramide trihexoside (LR-CTH), can be used as a probe for functional activity of AGA in intact fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and T-lymphocytes from patients with Fabry disease. By utilizing standard detection techniques, such as microscopic imaging, fluorescence microplate spectrophotometry, and flow cytometry, cells with impaired AGA activity can easily be distinguished from wild-type (WT) cells, and these two cell types can be isolated into separate populations using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The assay we report here can be adapted to evaluate new therapies by high-throughput screening, can aid in the study of AGA activity in living cells, and can assist in the diagnosis of women with the Fabry trait.
An efficient voltage scaling algorithm for complex SoCs with few number of voltage modes

Increasing demand for larger high-performance applications requires developing more complex systems with hundreds of processing cores on a single chip. To allow dynamic voltage scaling in each on-chip cores individually, many on-chip voltage regulators must be used. However, the limitations in implementation of on-chip inductors can reduce the efficiency, accuracy and the number of voltage modes generated by regulators. Therefore the future voltage scheduling algorithms must be efficient, even in the presence of few voltage modes; and fast, in order to handle complex applications. Techniques proposed to date, need many fine-grained voltage modes to produce energy efficient results and their quality degrades significantly as the number of modes decreases. This paper presents a new technique called Adaptive Stochastic Gradient Voltage and Task Scheduling (ASG-VTS) that quickly generates very energy efficient results irrespective of the number of available voltage modes. The results of comparing our algorithm to the most efficient approaches (RVS and EE-GLSA) show that in the presence of only four valid modes, the ASG-VTS saves up to 26% and 33% more energy. On the other hand, other approaches require at least ten modes to reach the same level of energy saving that ASG-VTS achieves with only four modes. Therefore our algorithm can also be used to explore and minimize the number of required voltage levels in the system.
A Genome-Wide Scan for Evidence of Selection in a Maize Population Under Long-Term Artificial Selection for Ear Number

A genome-wide scan to detect evidence of selection was conducted in the Golden Glow maize long-term selection population. The population had been subjected to selection for increased number of ears per plant for 30 generations, with an empirically estimated effective population size ranging from 384 to 667 individuals and an increase of more than threefold in the number of ears per plant. Allele frequencies at >1.2 million single-nucleotide polymorphism loci were estimated from pooled whole-genome resequencing data, and FST values across sliding windows were employed to assess divergence between the population preselection and the population postselection. Twenty-eight highly divergent regions were identified, with half of these regions providing gene-level resolution on potentially selected variants. Approximately 93% of the divergent regions do not demonstrate a significant decrease in heterozygosity, which suggests that they are not approaching fixation. Also, most regions display a pattern consistent with a soft-sweep model as opposed to a hard-sweep model, suggesting that selection mostly operated on standing genetic variation. For at least 25% of the regions, results suggest that selection operated on variants located outside of currently annotated coding regions. These results provide insights into the underlying genetic effects of long-term artificial selection and identification of putative genetic elements underlying number of ears per plant in maize.
Multiple glomus tumors of the lower leg.

Glomus tumors are rare, usually solitary lesions, most commonly presenting as a painful nodule in the subungual location of the digits. Glomus tumors have been reported in multiples 1-3 and can be found in atypical locations, including the lower leg. We describe sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a patient with multiple glomus tumors of the lower leg.
Making accessible PDF documents

Accessibility features in the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) help facilitate access to electronic information for people with disabilities. This workshop explores how to create accessible PDF documents, from within Adobe Acrobat and other applications; how to use the Adobe Acrobat PDF accessibility checker and repair workflow; best practices for accessibility; and how accessibility has been built into forthcoming ISO standards (PDF/UA, PDF 32000-2).
Formaldehyde concentrations in household air of asthma patients determined using colorimetric detector tubes.

Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent gas commonly found in homes that is a respiratory irritant, sensitizer, carcinogen and asthma trigger. Typical household sources include plywood and particleboard, cleaners, cosmetics, pesticides, and others. Development of a fast and simple measurement technique could facilitate continued research on this important chemical. The goal of this research is to apply an inexpensive short-term measurement method to find correlations between formaldehyde sources and concentration, and formaldehyde concentration and asthma control. Formaldehyde was measured using 30-minute grab samples in length-of-stain detector tubes in homes (n=70) of asthmatics in the Boston, MA area. Clinical status and potential formaldehyde sources were determined. The geometric mean formaldehyde level was 35.1 ppb and ranged from 5–132 ppb. Based on one-way ANOVA, t-tests, and linear regression, predictors of log-transformed formaldehyde concentration included absolute humidity, season, and the presence of decorative laminates, fiberglass, or permanent press fabrics (p<0.05), as well as temperature and household cleaner use (p<0.10). The geometric mean formaldehyde concentration was 57% higher in homes of children with very poorly controlled asthma compared to homes of other asthmatic children (p=0.078). This study provides a simple method for measuring household formaldehyde and suggests that exposure is related to poorly controlled asthma.
The dependence of computer system queues upon processing time distribution and central processor scheduling

The stationary distribution of the number of jobs being served by a processor-sharing central server is independent of both the distribution of service times and the distribution of interarrival times when those distributions have rational Laplace-Stieltjes transforms. This result holds for both finite source and infinite source models. The steady state is identical to the steady state when all distributions are exponential. The expected response time, queue size, and central processor idle time of the finite source model under processor-sharing and FCFS scheduling are compared. These measures of system performance are all larger under processor-sharing for a class of central processor service time distributions with a coefficient of variation less than one. The measures are all smaller under processor-sharing for a class of distributions with a coefficient of variation greater than one. Experiments with data collected from actual computer systems indicate that these results extend to more general models and have practical applications in existing computer systems.
Some Eulerian and Lagrangian Diagnostics for a Model Stratospheric Warming

The Eliassen-Palm (EP) cross sections for the model are discussed. EP cross sections conveniently display the principal eddy fluxes of heat, momentum, and quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity on one diagram. The EP diagnostics are used to follow the evolution of the mean flow through into the second stage of the model warming, which includes the reversal of the polar westerlies and which appears to have more in common with observed warmings. The transformed Eulerian-mean equations presented by Andrews and McIntyre (1976, 1978) provide the basis for an investigation in which an especially clear picture of the warming dynamics is obtained. In the second stage of the model warming, the decelerating torque per unit mass is large throughout a deep layer in the middle atmosphere, spanning several scale heights.
Physiological Signalling Across Cell Membranes and Cooperative Influences of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

From the first applications of the light microscope in biology more than 300 years ago, there has been a progressive development of the concept of a limiting membrane that defines the physical boundaries of a living organism, whether this be a bacterium, or a single-celled protozoan leading an independent existence, or a cell in the tissues of higher organisms. From initial concepts of this membrane as merely an enclosing device, emphasis has shifted to its role as a window through which the cell as a unitary biological element can sense its chemical and electrical environment.
Faster fully dynamic matchings with small approximation ratios

Maximum cardinality matching is a fundamental algorithmic problem with many algorithms and applications. The fully dynamic version, in which edges are inserted and deleted over time has also been the subject of much attention. Existing algorithms for dynamic matching (in general n-vertex m-edge graphs) fall into two groups: there are fast (mostly randomized) algorithms that achieve a 2-approximation or worse, and there are slow algorithms with Ω([EQUATION]) update time that achieve a better-than-2 approximation. Thus the obvious question is whether we can design an algorithm that achieves a tradeoff between these two: a o([EQUATION]) update time and a better-than-2 approximation simultaneously. We answer this question in the affirmative. Previously, such bounds were only known for the special case of bipartite graphs.Our main result is a fully dynamic deterministic algorithm that maintains a (3/2 + e)-approximation in amortized update time O(m1/4e--2.5). In addition to achieving the trade-off described above, our algorithm manages to be polynomially faster than all existing deterministic algorithms (excluding an existing log n-approximation of Onak and Rubinfeld), while still maintaining a better-than-2 approximation.We also give stronger results for graphs whose arboricity is at most α. We show how to maintain a (1 + e)-approximate fractional matching or a (3/2 + e)-approximate integral matching in worst-case time O(α(α + log n)) for constant e. When the arboricity is constant, this bound is O(log n) and when the arboricity is polylogarithmic the update time is also polylogarithmic. Previous results for small arboricity non-bipartite graphs could only maintain a maximal matching (2-approximation).We maintain the approximate matching without explicitly using augmenting paths. We define an intermediate graph, called an EDCS and show that the EDCS H contains a large matching, and show how to maintain an EDCS in G. The EDCS was used in previous works on bipartite graphs, however the details and proofs are completely different in general graphs. The algorithm for bipartite graphs relies on ideas from flows and cuts to non-constructively prove the existence of a good matching in H, but these ideas do not seem to extend to non-bipartite graphs. In this paper we instead explicitly construct a large fractional matching in H. In some cases we can guarantee that this fractional matching is γ-restricted, which means that it only uses values either in the range [0, γ] or 1. We then combine this matching with a new structural property of maximum matchings in non-bipartite graphs, which is analogous to the cut induced by maximum matchings in bipartite graphs.
Comparison of Injuries in American Collegiate Football and Club Rugby A Prospective Cohort Study

Background:American football and rugby players are at substantial risk of injury because of the full-contact nature of these sports. Methodological differences between previous epidemiological studies hamper an accurate comparison of injury rates between American football and rugby.Purpose:To directly compare injury rates in American collegiate football and rugby, specified by location, type, mechanism, and severity of injury, as reported by licensed medical professionals.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:Licensed medical professionals (athletic trainer or physician) associated with the football and rugby teams of a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I university reported attendance and injury details over 3 autumn seasons. Injuries were categorized by the location, type, mechanism, and severity of injury, and the injury rate was calculated per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs). Injury rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare overall, game, and practice injury rates wi...
Wealth Mobility of Families Raising Children in the Twenty-First Century

Wealth inequality between the top and bottom deciles has grown over the last 20 years (Piketty and Zucman in Wealth and inheritance in the long run, Centre for Economic Policy Research, London, 2014), as has the racial wealth gap (Shapiro et al. in The roots of the widening racial wealth gap: explaining the black–white economic divide. Institute on Assets and Social Policy, Brandeis University, Waltham, 2013. http://iasp.brandeis.edu/pdfs/Author/shapiro-thomas-m/racialwealthgapbrief.pdf ). Within these broad trends of inequality, some families are able to get ahead and grow their wealth, while others are not. Yet we do not understand well the critical variables that increase the likelihood of wealth mobility across the life course—within the same generation. This paper addresses this gap and investigates the following questions: What accounts for intra-generational relative and absolute wealth mobility for families with children in the first decade of the twenty-first century? And how does it differ by race? The paper draws on two longitudinal data sets—the Panel Study of Income Dynamics household survey data matched with neighborhood-level US Census data (1999–2011), and the IASP Leveraging Mobility (LM) study (1998–2011). Applying an integrated mixed methods design, analyses are conducted in three stages: (1) A grounded theory analytic approach of the LM data determines key variables of wealth mobility: homeownership, income, employment characteristics, extended family wealth, negative life events, and neighborhood factors; (2) regression analyses test these indicators for absolute and relative wealth mobility; and (3) recontextualization through further analyses of LM data deepen the regression results by illustrating the pathways of significant wealth mobility predictors. Results reveal that increasing family income, larger family transfers, consistent long-term homeownership, and in some cases white-collar occupations increase the likelihood of upward relative wealth mobility. Negative life events, higher rates of neighborhood poverty, and black race are negatively correlated with the amount of wealth growth. These key drivers of wealth mobility highlight the need for targeted policies that reinforce and expand opportunities for all families to build wealth over the life course.
Oxygen annealing of YBCO/gold thin-film contacts

The specific contact resistivity, defined as the product of the contact resistance and the contact area, of c-axis YBCO/Au thin-film contacts is measured as a function of oxygen annealing temperature to determine the optimum annealing conditions for this interface system. Square planar junctions with side widths of 2, 4, 8, and 16 μm were fabricated ex situ. Annealing was carried out at constant sample temperature for 10 minutes in atmospheric pressure of oxygen. The junction conductance characteristics were measured after each annealing and the process was repeated at progressively higher annealing temperatures, up to 650 °C. Before oxygen annealing, the junctions had contact resistivities of about 10−4 Ω•em2 or greater. The contact resistivity was unchanged for annealing temperatures below 300 °C. It decreased rapidly in an annealing temperature range from 300 °C to 450 °C. We found that 600 °C was a practical upper limit for annealing, at which temperature a contact resistivity in the 10−6 Ω•cm2 range may be achieved. We conclude that annealing-induced Au diffusion along grain-boundaries was responsible for the reduction in the contact resistivity.
Analysis on case-finding and treatment outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis in Huoshan County from 2002 to 2010

Objective:To analyze case-finding and treatment outcome of pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) in Huoshan county,and provide scientific evidence for improving the level of TB control.Methods:The data of TB control collected from quarterly report,monthly report and network report between 2002 to 2010 in Huoshan county were analyzed.Results:A total of 2368 new TB patients were registered,among which the proportion of smear-positive tuberculosis patients increased from 42.00%(63/150) in 2002 to 69.23% in 2010(144/208).New smear-positive rate of registration increased from 17.22/100,000 in 2002(63 /365,873) to 39.42/100,000 in 2010(144 /365 284).The cure rate of smear positive patients increased from 44.44%(28/63) in 2002 to 85.42% in 2010(123/144),the average cure rate of new smear positive patients was 85.40%(907/1062),the average cure rate of retreatment smear-positive patients was 65.09%(179/275).Conclusion:TB detection and treatment management had improved continuously in Huoshan County,but the level of the patient’s sputum was still not high,the increase of drug-resistant patients and the management of the floating population patients will continue to be the major challenges for TB control.
Genotyping of HIV-1 detected in HIV infected men who have sex with men in Shaoxing,Zhejiang

Objective To understand the genotypes of HIV-1 circulating in HIV infected men who have sex with men( MSM) in Shaoxing,Zhejiang province. Methods Fifty blood samples were collected from 50 newly-diagnosed HIV infected MSMwho received no antiviral therapy from 2013 to 2014,and the gag and pol gene fragments of HIV-1 were amplified with RT-PCR and nest-PCR. The gene phylogenetic tree was constructed to analyze the subtypes of HIV strains. Results A total of 46 plasma samples were successfully amplified and analyzed. Three HIV subtypes were detected,i. e. CRF01_ AE,CRF07_ BC and B,accounting for 52. 17%,39. 13% and 6. 52%. In addition,1 newrecombinant subtype was detected( 2. 17%). Conclusion CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC were the major HIV-1 subtypes detected among MSMin Shaoxing. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of HIV-1 subtype CRF01_ AE and CRF07_BC in MSM.
Lighting the Way to Greener Chemistry: Incandescent Floodlights as a Facile UV Light Source for Classic and Cutting-Edge Photoreactions

While ultraviolet light is hailed for its renewability, nontoxicity, and lack of resulting waste products, photochemistry is relatively out of reach for many researchers and industries because conventional ultraviolet radiation sources are not always accessible. For example, the availability of sunlight varies with weather conditions, geographical location, and daylight duration. The use of commercial incandescent light as an alternative to conventional ultraviolet radiation was explored in this article. The classic [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of trans-cinnamic acid was tested under controlled conditions in the solid state, and it was found that 150 W light bulbs provided satisfactory results and 1.5 cm away from the light source was a viable distance for the photoreaction. A [2 + 2] cycloaddition of 10 mg trans-cinnamic acid finished in as few as 4 h. Gram-scale synthesis was also achieved in 40 h by using a 500 W floodlight bulb. The incandescent floodlight also effectively facilitated a cutting-edge pho...
Conflicting and non-conflicting visual cues lead to error in gait initiation and gait inhibition in individuals with freezing of gait.

Abstract Introduction We asked whether conflicting visual cues influences gait initiation, gait inhibition and postural control in Parkinson’s disease (PD) between freezers, non-freezers and healthy older adults. Methods Twenty-five PD participants on dopaminergic medication and 17 healthy older adults were asked to initiate or refrain gait depending on visual cues: green GO (GG), green STOP (GS), red GO (RG), red STOP (RS). Center of pressure (CoP) displacement, variability and mean velocity (VCoP) in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions and movement time (MT) were measured. Results Gait initiation : Both freezers and non-freezers were different from controls in GG and GS. In GS, freezers had smaller CoP displacement and velocity in both directions (p Gait inhibition: Controls and freezers had larger CoP displacement variability (p Conclusion Freezers were in general slower at initiating gait, displayed a more restrictive postural strategy and were more affected by the conflicting conditions compared to both controls and non-freezers. In freezers, the conflicting visual cues may have increased the cognitive load enough to provoke delays in processing the visual information and implementing the appropriate motor program.
Against the Grain

How I write is against the grain. I think this has always been the case, although now that I’ve been doing it for several years — doing it to the point, now, where I think of myself as a professional writer — the terms and conditions of interference have changed. There are things that get in the way of my writing and things that I put in the path of my writing that are different now than they were when I was younger, but the essential resistance — both mine and writing’s — remains.
Electrochemical direct writing and erasing of silver nanostructures on phosphate glass using atomic force microscopy

This paper reports a liquid-free, mask-less electrochemical direct-write lithographic technique using an atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe for writing silver nanostructures in minutes on an optically transparent substrate. Under ambient conditions, silver is locally and controllably extracted to the surface of superionic (AgI)0.25 (AgPO3)0.75 glass by bringing a conductive AFM probe tip in contact with it, biasing the probe with a negative voltage, and regulating the resulting current. The growth mechanism of the resulting nanostructure is explored by extracting silver with a stationary AFM tip on the surface of the silver. A moving tip was then used to produce continuous lines, solid films and discrete dots of silver by implementing continuous and pulsed current writing approaches. The line dimensions depend on writing speed and current flowing in the electrochemical circuit, while the size and spacing of the dots depend on the parameters (magnitude, duration and frequency) of the current pulses and the writing speed of the AFM tip. Line-widths in the ~100 nm range are demonstrated. Our investigation also shows that a threshold potential must be overcome to be able to draw and reduce silver ions on the glass surface. When polarity between the electrodes is reversed, the patterned silver ionizes back into the glass, thus offering the capability to erase and rewrite Ag patterns on the glass surface.
The effect of pneumatic dilation in management of postfundoplication dysphagia

Background Fundoplication surgery is a commonly performed procedure for gastro-esophageal reflux disease or hiatal hernia repair. Up to 10% of patients develop persistent postoperative dysphagia after surgery. Data on the effectiveness of pneumatic dilation for treatment are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and identify clinical factors associated with successful response to pneumatic dilation among patients with persistent postfundoplication dysphagia (PPFD). Methods We retrospectively evaluated patients who had undergone pneumatic dilation for PPFD between 1999 and 2016. Patients with dysphagia or achalasia prior to fundoplication were excluded. Demographic information, surgical history, severity of dysphagia, and clinical outcomes were collected. Data pertaining to esophagram, manometry, endoscopy, and pneumatic dilation were also collected. Results We identified 38 patients (82% female, 95% Caucasian, and median age 59 years) with PPFD who completed pneumatic dilation. The median postfundoplication dysphagia score was 2. Eleven patients had abnormal peristalsis on manometry. Seventeen patients reported response (seven complete) with an average decrease of 1 in their dysphagia score. Fifteen patients underwent reoperation due to PPFD. Hiatal hernia repair was the only factor that predicts a higher response rate to pneumatic dilation. Only one patient in our study developed complication (pneumoperitoneum) from pneumatic dilation. Conclusion & inferences We found that pneumatic dilation to be a safe treatment option for PPFD with moderate efficacy. Patients who developed PPFD after a hiatal hernia repair may gain the greatest benefit after pneumatic dilation. We were not able to identify additional clinical, radiological, endoscopic, or manometric parameters that were predictive of response.
Fragmentation and rapprochement: the case for paradigm collaboration

Policy debate has radically evolved in recent decades, fueling tensions between the values of civic engagement and argumentative innovation. The result is a rapidly shifting landscape of formats an...
Household food security, economic empowerment, and the social capital of women’s shea butter production in Mali

Shea butter, an edible oil and lotion produced primarily by women in over twenty-one countries in sub-Saharan Africa and consumed locally and exported internationally, can contribute considerably to achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study investigated the importance of shea butter to women and their families for food security, household economy, women’s empowerment, and social capital. It highlights the vital social value of shea butter in cooperative labor for production, gifting customs among women, and traditional and religious ceremonies. In addition, this study identifies critical opportunities for and obstacles to further market expansion. Based on a mixed methods approach employed in Mali from 2009 to 2014, this study included participant observation, interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions as well as shea tree mapping and weighing of shea and firewood. Major challenges that exist for shea market expansion and food security potential include climate change and globalization of other competing world edible oils. Nevertheless, there are promising opportunities for the shea market with the extensive shea tree distribution, growth of consumer support for environmentally and socially conscious products, and capacity building efforts of rural shea nut collectors and butter producers by the Global Shea Alliance.
Defining Obtrusiveness in Home Telehealth Technologies: A Conceptual Framework

The literature of home telehealth technology recommends that systems be designed to minimize their obtrusiveness to end users. However, this term is neither explicitly defined nor consistently used. This paper presents a definition of the concept of obtrusiveness. Within this definition, twenty-two categories of what may be perceived as obtrusive in home telehealth technology are proposed based on a review of the literature. These categories are grouped into eight dimensions. This effort represents an initial step toward developing measures of obtrusiveness associated with home telehealth technology. A validated and reliable instrument would allow for evaluation of individual applications as well as theory-building across applications.
Matrices and Systems of Differential Equations

This chapter describes matrices as a powerful tool to discuss the behavior of solutions to systems of differential equations. If A ( t ) and f ( t ) are continuous matrix and vector functions, respectively, on some interval [ a , b ], that is, the component functions of both A ( t ) and f ( t ) are continuous, then there exists a unique vector function φ( t ) that is a solution to the initial value problem on the entire interval [ a , b ]. Fundamental matrix solutions are not unique, because a solution vector may be multiplied by any constant and still remain a solution. The calculation of a fundamental or principal matrix solution is generally impossible if A ( t ) is nonconstant.
Programmed Necrosis in Immunity and Inflammatory Diseases

Programmed necrosis or necroptosis is a type of cell death regulated by a specific signaling pathway. Hence it is different from necrosis induced by physical trauma. Receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1 and RIPK3 play central roles in programmed necrosis by forming a pro-necrotic signaling complex termed the necrosome. Genetic evidence indicates that in concert with the pro-apoptotic molecules FADD and caspase-8, RIPK1 and RIPK3 regulate embryonic development, T cell clonal expansion, and immune homeostasis. Programmed necrosis contributes to innate immune host defense against certain viruses. The importance of programmed necrosis as a host defense mechanism is highlighted by discovery of viral inhibitors of necrosis. Emerging evidence suggests that programmed necrosis is also involved in bacterial infections and may even directly regulate inflammatory cytokine expression. In this chapter, we discuss how the RIP kinases contribute to different inflammatory diseases.
Two energy efficient algorithms for tracking objects in a sensor network: Research Articles

We propose two energy efficient algorithms for locating a target object moving in an area covered by a wireless ad hoc network. The first algorithm developed conserve energy by efficiently identifying sensor nodes, as Home Nodes, and use only local messages between neighboring nodes to follow the trail of the object. Since we avoid the long-range transmission and maximize the localization, the algorithms reduce the communication cost. The dynamic nature of the second algorithm exploits the predefined parameters such as the object velocity. Our algorithm represents query shipping against the conventional data shipping as a means to reduce the amount of data being shipped across the network. Hence, it locates the objects over the network with minimal energy conservation using short-range message transmissions. The performance analysis (both experimental and theoretical) shows the effectiveness of the two algorithms in comparison to another tracking algorithm. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Mouse Digit Tip: From Wound Healing to Regeneration

A challenge to the study of regeneration is determining at what point the processes of wound healing and regeneration diverge. The mouse displays level-specific regeneration responses. An amputation through the distal third of the terminal phalanx will prompt a regeneration response and result in a new digit tip that mimics the morphology of the lost digit tip. Conversely, an amputation through the distal third of the intermediate phalanx initiates a wound healing and scarring response. The mouse, therefore, provides a model for studying the transition between wound healing and regeneration in the same animal. This chapter details the methods used in the study of mammalian digit regeneration, including a method to introduce exogenous protein into the mouse digit amputation model via microcarrier beads and methods for analysis of bone regeneration.
Implications and inferences of metallothionein structure.

Since its detection in 1957 Metallothionein and its possible function have provided a splendid source of frustration for the many who have been attracted to this Sphinx and tempted to solve its riddle. There is no need to recite the many valiant efforts that were thoroughly aired during the First International Symposium on Metallothionein which took place here in Zurich in 1979 organized as the present one by Dr. Jeremias H.R. Kagi and which is now available to everyone (Metallothionein, Ed. J.H.R. Kagi and M. Nordberg, Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, 1979). This is an appropriate occasion to pay Dr. Kagi tribute both for his fundamental contributions to the subject dating back to its establishment and his successful efforts to ensure communication among the now numerous workers in many disciplines approaching the subject from very diversified points of view through equally different avenues of approach.
II Therapy of chronic hepatitis C

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the therapy of chronic hepatitis C. Adult patients with chronic hepatitis C who have raised serum aminotransferase levels, HCV RNA in serum, a liver biopsy with fibrosis or moderate-to-severe necroinflammatory changes, are without evidence of hepatic decompensation, and have no contraindications warrant antiviral therapy. The current recommended regimen of therapy is a 24- to 48-week course of interferon-a and oral ribavirin. Therapy with interferon-α alone should be reserved for patients with contraindications to ribavirin (patients with anemia or significant renal or cardiac disease). At the present time, children should not receive ribavirin. For patients who have relapsed following interferon monotherapy, retreatment with interferon and ribavirin for 24 to 48 weeks as described earlier is probably optimal. These patients may respond equally well to a 48-week course of higher doses of interferon monotherapy. For patients who have not responded to interferon-a or combination therapy, the options are few and unsatisfactory. Only 10 to 15% of patients who have failed to respond to a course of interferon-a alone respond to combination therapy. Other approaches now being evaluated include the use of long-term, continuous interferon or ribavirin alone. Longer acting forms of interferon-α (pegylated interferons) may be more potent than standard interferons and may replace them in treatment regimens in the near future.
Oxidative stress‐induced dysregulation of excitation–contraction coupling contributes to muscle weakness

Background We have previously shown that the deletion of the superoxide scavenger, CuZn superoxide dismutase, in mice (Sod1-/- mice) results in increased oxidative stress and an accelerated loss of skeletal muscle mass and force that mirror the changes seen in old control mice. The goal of this study is to define the effect of oxidative stress and ageing on muscle weakness and the Excitation Contraction (EC) coupling machinery in age-matched adult (8-10 months) wild-type (WT) and Sod1-/- mice in comparison with old (25-28 months) WT mice. Methods In vitro contractile assays were used to measure muscle contractile parameters. The activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) pump was measured using an NADH-linked enzyme assay. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence techniques were used to measure protein expression, and real-time reverse transcription PCR was used to measure gene expression. Results The specific force generated by the extensor digitorum longus muscle was reduced in the Sod1-/- and old WT mice compared with young WT mice along with significant prolongation of time to peak force, increased half relaxation time, and disruption of intracellular calcium handling. The maximal activity of the SERCA calcium uptake pump was significantly reduced in gastrocnemius muscle from both old WT (≈14%) and adult Sod1-/- (≈33%) mice compared with young WT mice along with increased expression of sarcolipin, a known inhibitor of SERCA activity. Protein levels of the voltage sensor and calcium uptake channel proteins dihydropyridine receptor α1 and SERCA2 were significantly elevated (≈45% and ≈57%, respectively), while the ratio of calstabin, a channel stabilizing protein, to ryanodine receptor was significantly reduced (≈21%) in Sod1-/- mice compared with young WT mice. The changes in calcium handling were accompanied by substantially elevated levels of global protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation. Conclusions Our data suggest that the muscle weakness in Sod1-/- and old WT mice is in part driven by reactive oxygen species-mediated EC uncoupling and supports a role for reduced SERCA pump activity in compromised muscle function. The novel quantitative mechanistic data provided here can lead to potential therapeutic interventions of SERCA dysfunction for sarcopenia and muscle diseases.
Novel Noninvasive Assessment of Pulmonary Arterial Stiffness Using Velocity Transfer Function.

Background Pulmonary artery (PA) stiffness is associated with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). PA stiffness is accurately described by invasive PA impedance because it considers pulsa...