cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compensatory articulation in American English nasalized vowels

Abstract In acoustic studies of vowel nasalization, it is sometimes assumed that the primary articulatory difference between an oral vowel and a nasal vowel is the coupling of the nasal cavity to the rest of the vocal tract. Acoustic modulations observed in nasal vowels are customarily attributed to the presence of additional poles affiliated with the naso-pharyngeal tract and zeros affiliated with the nasal cavity. We test the hypothesis that oral configuration may also change during nasalized vowels, either enhancing or compensating for the acoustic modulations associated with nasality. We analyze tongue position, nasal airflow, and acoustic data to determine whether American English /i/ and /a/ manifest different oral configurations when they are nasalized, i.e. when they are followed by nasal consonants. We find that tongue position is higher during nasalized [ĩ] than it is during oral [i] but do not find any effect for nasalized [a]. We argue that speakers of American English raise the tongue body during nasalized [ĩ] in order to counteract the perceived F1-raising (centralization) associated with high vowel nasalization.
Global-local visual processing in posttraumatic stress disorder.

The purpose of this study was to examine a behavioral index of hemispheric asymmetry (i.e., visual hierarchical attention) in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder characterized by anxiety and other emotional symptoms. A reaction time based, computerized, global–local visual paradigm was administered to 26 PTSD-diagnosed and 22 psychopathology-free right-handed, male Vietnam War zone veterans. Results indicated that PTSD-diagnosed veterans displayed slower reaction times to all targets than the no-mental disorders comparison sample. However, findings also revealed a Group × Target location interaction in which the PTSD group was slower than the no-disorders comparison sample to respond to local, but not global, targets. Moreover, relative global bias was greater among PTSD-diagnosed veterans than their no-diagnosis counterparts. Findings provide partial support for the hypothesis that PTSD may be associated with a functional cerebral asymmetry favoring the right hemisphere. (JINS, 2004, 10, 709–718.)
The exception handling effectiveness of POSIX operating systems

Operating systems form a foundation for robust application software, making it important to understand how effective they are at handling exceptional conditions. The Ballista testing system was used to characterize the handling of exceptional input parameter values for up to 233 POSIX functions and system calls on each of 15 widely used operating system (OS) implementations. This identified ways to crash systems with a single call, ways to cause task hangs within OS code, ways to cause abnormal task termination within OS and library code, failures to implement defined POSIX functionality, and failures to report unsuccessful operations. Overall, only 55 percent to 76 percent of the exceptional tests performed generated error codes, depending on the operating system being tested. Approximately 6 percent to 19 percent of tests failed to generate any indication of error despite exceptional inputs. Approximately 1 percent to 3 percent of tests revealed failures to implement defined POSIX functionality for unusual, but specified, situations. Between 18 percent and 33 percent of exceptional tests caused the abnormal termination of an OS system call or library function, and five systems were completely crashed by individual system calls with exceptional parameter values. The most prevalent sources of these robustness failures were illegal pointer values, numeric overflows, and end-of-file overruns.
Insulin decreases hepatic acute phase protein levels in severely burned children.

Abstract Background Severe burn induces the hepatic acute phase response. In this study, we wondered whether continuous insulin treatment decreases acute phase protein levels in the severely burned. Methods Eighteen children aged 2 to 17 years with burns >40% of total body surface area were randomized to receive either insulin (n = 9) or no treatment (n = 9) within 72 hours after injury until the wounds were 95% healed. Insulin was given at a continuous rate of ≥1.5 μU/kg/min to maintain euglycemia (serum glucose 100–140 μg/dL). Plasma was examined at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 for acute phase protein levels including C-reactive protein, C3 complement, α1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, α2-macroglobulin, prealbumin, transferrin, and retinol-binding protein. Statistical analysis was by ANOVA and t test. Results With insulin treatment, α1-acid glycoprotein, C3 complement, α2-macroglobulin, and haptoglobin levels decreased (P Conclusions Continuous insulin treatment decreases acute phase protein levels after a severe burn. The results suggest insulin downregulation of the hepatic acute phase response to injury.
Identification of a New Aspartic Proteinase Expressed by the Outer Chorionic Cell Layer of the Equine Placenta

The pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are placental antigens that were initially characterized as pregnancy markers in the maternal circulation of domestic ruminant species. They are members of the aspartic proteinase gene family, having greatest sequence identity with pepsinogens. However, some are not capable of functioning as enzymes. The PAGs are associated with a large gene family within the Artiodactyla order (cattle, camels, pigs). So far, no members of this family have been characterized in species outside this order. This report describes the cloning and initial characterization of a PAG-like protein (equine PAG or ePAG) expressed in the placenta of the horse and zebra (order Perrisodactyla). Equine PAG is a proteinase capable of degrading 14C-hemoglobin and catalyzing the removal of its own pro-peptide. The ePAG mRNA is restricted to the chorion both prior to implantation and in the term placenta. Equine PAG is secreted from cultured placental tissue as both a processed (mature) and unprocessed (zymogen) form. Equine PAG shares similar identity with the PAGs and pepsinogens and probably arose from a pepsinogen-like precursor that gained the ability to be expressed in the placenta. The promoter of the ePAG gene shares sequence identity with the promoter from a bovine PAG gene but not with promoters of other aspartic proteinases. Therefore, we hypothesize that ePAG is a remnant of the pepsinogen-like progenitor gene that was expanded within the Artiodactyla to create the large and highly diverse PAG family.
Etching of InP in methane-based plasmas

Analyses of InP and SiO/sub 2/ mask surfaces etched in CH/sub 4//H/sub 2/ plasma have been performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. A relatively thick polymer layer was detected on the mask surface, whereas polymer deposition on etched InP surface was insignificant even under plasma conditions designed to enhance polymer formation. Subsequent processing of etched InP in O/sub 2/ plasma followed by a dip in HCl/H/sub 2/O was found to be sufficient for obtaining clean surfaces with good stoichiometry. >
Kriging metamodeling in multi-objective simulation optimization

This paper describes an experiment exploring the potential of kriging metamodeling for multi-objective simulation optimization. The experiment studies an (s, S) inventory system with the objective of finding the optimal values of reorder point s and maximum inventory level S so as to minimize the total cost of the system while maximizing customer satisfaction. This experiment compares classical response surface methodology to kriging metamodeling as experimental approaches. The results of this experiment indicate that kriging metamodeling offers new opportunities for solving multi-objective optimization problems in stochastic simulation.
Immune Responses and Viral Replication in Long-Term Inapparent Carrier Ponies Inoculated with Equine Infectious Anemia Virus

Persistent infection of equids by equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is typically characterized by a progression during the first year postinfection from chronic disease with recurring disease cycles to a long-term asymptomatic infection that is maintained indefinitely. The goal of the current study was to perform a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of the course of virus infection and development of host immunity in experimentally infected horses as they progressed from chronic disease to long-term inapparent carriage. We previously described the evolution of EIAV genomic quasispecies (C. Leroux, C. J. Issel, and R. C. Montelaro, J. Virol. 71:9627–9639, 1997) and host immune responses (S. A. Hammond, S. J. Cook, D. L. Lichtenstein, C. J. Issel, and R. C. Montelaro, J. Virol. 71:3840–3852, 1997) in four experimentally infected ponies during sequential disease episodes associated with chronic disease during the first 10 months postinfection. In the current study, we extended the studies of these experimentally infected ponies to 3 years postinfection to characterize the levels of virus replication and development of host immune responses associated with the progression from chronic disease to long-term inapparent infection. The results of these studies revealed over a 10 3 -fold difference in the steady-state levels of plasma viral RNA detected during long-term inapparent infection that correlated with the severity of chronic disease, indicating different levels of control of virus replication during long-term inapparent infections. Detailed analyses of antibody and cellular immune responses in all four ponies over the 3-year course of infection revealed a similar evolution during the first year postinfection of robust humoral and cellular immunity that then remained relatively constant during long-term inapparent infection. These observations indicate that immune parameters that have previously been correlated with EIAV vaccine protection fail to provide reliable immune correlates of control of virus replication or clinical outcome in experimental infections. Thus, these data emphasize the differences between immunity to virus exposure and immune control of an established viral infection and further emphasize the need to develop and evaluate novel immunoassays to define reliable immune correlates to vaccine and infection immunity, respectively.
The Country in the City: Central Park in Jonas Mekas's Walden and William Greaves's Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One

On a map or from the air, nothing defines New York City more clearly than the rectilinearity of Central Park at the heart of the curvilinear island of Manhattan. And nothing encodes the paradox of the thinking that created Frederick Law Olmsted's first great park – and simultaneously distinguishes it from many of the parks inspired by Central Park – than the virtually perfect geometry of its outline. The Park simultaneously confirms the grid structure of the streets of Manhattan and dramatically interrupts this structure: streets that run vertically uptown and downtown or horizontally across town must, when they reach the horizontal and vertical boundaries of the park, leave their verticality and horizontality behind to traverse the Park before rejoining the grid of streets and avenues at the far boundaries of the Park's expanse. If the Cartesian clarity of midtown Manhattan has come to represent the efficiency of American capitalism that was making the United States a major industrial power during the years when the Greensward Plan was designed and Central Park constructed, the Park represented (and continues to represent) a counter-sensibility: as Olmstead and Vaux predicted.
Transcriptional regulation of the Hedgehog effector CI by the zinc-finger gene combgap.

Members of the Hedgehog (HH) family of secreted signaling molecules specify cell fate during animal development by controlling the activity of members of the Gli family of zinc-finger transcription factors in responding cells. In Drosophila the Gli homolog, cubitus interruptus (CI), is expressed only in the anterior compartment where it represses targets such as the signaling molecule genes decapentaplegic (dpp) and wingless (wg). HH is expressed in the posterior and diffuses into the anterior where it antagonizes CI repression resulting in dpp and wg expression immediately anterior to the compartment border. Reducing CI levels results in misexpression of wg and dpp, while CI misexpression in the posterior disrupts differentiation. Thus, normal disc patterning requires high levels of CI in the anterior and the absence of CI in the posterior. Here we show that mutations in combgap (cg) result in deregulation of CI expression, which is now expressed at much lower levels and ubiquitously, i.e., also in the posterior. Consequently, cg mutants phenocopy ci loss-of-function mutants in the anterior and ci gain-of-function mutants in the posterior. cg encodes a putative DNA-binding protein that regulates both transcriptional activation and repression of the ci gene.
Early Bioprosthetic Valve Failure: A Pictorial Review of Rare Causes

In older adults, bioprosthetic valves rarely fail within 5 years of the index surgery. Such failures pose a challenge to patients, clinicians, and surgeons. Although clinicians are generally aware of valve dysfunction related to overt endocarditis, patient–prosthesis mismatch, and technical error
Iterative simulation-optimization of a multi-state manufacturing system

Simulation optimization is an emerging field which is widely applied in various industries including manufacturing, supply chain management, risk management and healthcare [2, 3, 5]. By leaping computer advances, integration of the simulation-optimization methods has seen remarkable advances. Although the simulation literature review has witnessed increasing trend of creating hybrid simulation modelling as an approach to cope with complex enterprise-wide systems [4], the Iterative Optimization-based Simulation (IOS) methods are relatively unexplored in the literature.
Some Elementary Concepts in the Theory of Sampling

Abstract THE value of statistical methods in interpreting the results of agricultural research has been quite generally recognized in recent years. This has resulted in a desire on the part of many investigators to avail themselves of those methods without inquiring into the mathematical theory upon which they are based. One can certainly concur with Fisher (1934) in the view that the methods of statistics can be extremely useful in the hands of investigators who may not have the time to master the theory involved. However, an investigator who is not thoroughly familiar with the theoretical background of a procedure may occasionally make the error of applying it to particular cases in which its use is not justified. Many modern statistical procedures are so new that they are particularly susceptible to this kind of abuse, even by competent statisticians, although many a venerable classical formula has received the same inglorious treatment. . . .
A CASE OF BOWEN'S DISEASE ARISING IN THE AREOLA MAMMAE

左乳頭部の変形と乳輪部の湿疹を主訴とする43歳の女性に対して,乳輪部の皮膚生検を施行し, Bowen病の診断を得て,乳頭乳輪部の切除を施行した.乳頭乳輪部のBowen病はわれわれの調べ得た限り7例の報告を認めるのみであり,免疫組織学的所見を含めて文献的考察を行い報告する.
Data Analysis & Statistical Methods for Command File Errors

This paper explains current work on modeling for managing the risk of command file errors. It is focused on analyzing actual data from a JPL spaceflight mission to build models for evaluating and predicting error rates as a function of several key variables. We constructed a rich dataset by considering the number of errors, the number of files radiated, including the number commands and blocks in each file, as well as subjective estimates of workload and operational novelty. We have assessed these data using different curve fitting and distribution fitting techniques, such as multiple regression analysis, and maximum likelihood estimation to see how much of the variability in the error rates can be explained with these. We have also used goodness of fit testing strategies and principal component analysis to further assess our data. Finally, we constructed a model of expected error rates based on the what these statistics bore out as critical drivers to the error rate. This model allows project management to evaluate the error rate against a theoretically expected rate as well as anticipate future error rates.
Intravenous infusions into human subjects of fractionated coconut oil emulsions.

Summary1. Emulsions of the glycerides of the short chain fatty acids were toxic when injected intravenously into human subjects.2. The glycerides of the high molecular weight fatty acids, lauric, myristic, palmitic and stearic acids were non-toxic when injected jin emulsion form. 3. Inclusion with the latter of small concentrations of the fatty acid esters of the type of oleic and linoleic acids did not affect the toxicity of the emulsions.
Measuring local equilibrium flavor distributions in SDS solution using headspace solid-phase microextraction.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling of the headspace above an aqueous micellar solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was shown to be effective for quantifying the equilibrium partitioning of limonene solute between water and SDS micellar aggregates. Concentrations in the headspace were determined from the amount absorbed by the SPME fiber during 1 min extractions, with the quantity on the fiber determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Headspace concentrations as a function of surfactant concentration were fit to a mass balance to yield the partition coefficient and critical micelle concentration. When the total limonene in the system was low enough that it could be completely dissolved by water in the absence of micelles, a constant value for the partition coefficient of 1700 M–1 was obtained, independent of the limonene concentration. However, at higher total limonene concentrations, the partition coefficient became a function of the amount of limonene in the micelles, as...
Group effectiveness as a function of the group’s knowledge of member dissatisfaction

Thirty groups of five persons each attempted an easy task and a difficult task under either no feedback, overt dissatisfaction feedback, or covert dissatisfaction feedback conditions. In the overt conditions Ss publicly indicated their dissatisfaction with the group process, whereas in the covert condition dissatisfaction was signalled anonymously,, Contrary to findings involving satisfaction, overt feedback of dissatisfaction was more valid and relatively more effective than covert feedback, although the latter finding was not statistically significant. The act of providing information concerning dissatisfaction appears to be psychologically different from the act of providing information about satisfaction.
Investigation On The Carrier Rate Of Neisseria Meningitidis And Antibody Level Of Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis Before Epidemic Periods In the Healthy Population In Hefei

Objective To understand the carrier status of neisseria meningitidis(Nm) and the immune level of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in the healthy population in Hefei,and provide scientific basis for prevention and control.Methods Blood specimens and throat swab of people in 5 different age groups in whole hefei city were collected and cultured,and then serum antibody were detected.Results Among 556 Subjects,Nm was positive in 19 throat swabs,the carrier rate was 3.41%.And the carrier rate of Nm serogroup A,B and C were 0.00%,0.54% and 2.87% respectively.The serum antibody positive rate in Nm serogroup A and C were 92.3% and 95.7% respectively.Conclusion The immune level of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis of the citizens in Hefei was at higher level,and the prevailing of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in Hefei is seldom like to occur.
Analysis on the risk factors of an outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by norovirus infection

Objective To investigate the pathogens and transmission risk factors of an outbreak of gastroenteritis,and to provide evidence and experience for controlling the epidemic effectively and decreasing the occurrence of the similar events. Methods The uniform case- definition was formulated and the cases were actively searched. Case- control study method was used to search the suspicious meals and food. Stool,anal swabs,vomit and other environmental samples were collected,and then analyzed using fluorescent quantitative PCR nucleic acid detection. The pathogens were isolated and cultured. Results Eighteen cases were found in the company surveyed,and the epidemic curve suggested a point source of exposure. The result of case- control study demonstrated that the lunch of March 30 was the dangerous meal time( OR = 6. 13,OR 95% CI = 1. 248- 30. 44) and the spicy clams were the dangerous food( OR = 30,OR 95% CI = 5. 67- 158. 80). 10 specimens of 16 cases were detected to be norovirus nucleic acid positive,which consisted of 4 anal swabs,4 stool samples and 2 vomit specimens. Field hygienic investigation showed that cross- contamination might occur in the process of preparing raw food and cooked food and the spicy clams might be half- cooked or not be thoroughly cooked. Conclusions The epidemic is a cluster of gastroenteritis cases caused by norovirus infection. Eating spicy clams contaminated by norovirus may be the source of the norovirus outbreak,and the risk factors may be cross- contamination during raw food and cooked food preparation or half- cooked spicy clams.
Molecular Diagnostic Challenges of the Thalassemias

Publisher Summary The thalassemias are an autosomal recessive group of inherited disorders that result in the reduced synthesis of one or more of the globin chains of a specific hemoglobin. The molecular basis of the thalassemias has been exhaustively elucidated and represents one of the first diseases to be characterized at the molecular level. Molecular testing of the thalassemia syndromes in laboratories specialized in offering a comprehensive molecular diagnostic package for these disorders along with clinical interpretation should be attractive to physicians and experts who seek to unravel complex thalassemia genotypes. Clinical prognosis and genetic counseling of the thalassemia syndromes depends largely on the delineation of their molecular heterogeneity, which remains a diagnostic challenge considering that a-thalassemia, b-thalassemia, and db-thalassemia/HPFH may interact together in any combination and with common structural hemoglobin variants. Although molecular diagnostic tools greatly help to clarify suspicion or confirmation of a thalassemia diagnosis, a stratified strategy for molecular testing ought to be undertaken to unravel complex thalassemia genotypes with an aim to predict prognosis, treatment modalities, molecular testing of family members and genetic counseling. The molecular diagnostics of the thalassemia disorders have led the way to the implementation of similar approaches in other genetic disorders and thus, it would not be implausible that such a genomic approach of having an entire disease mutation chip could once again lead to similar approaches in genetic, infectious or acquired disorders.
Local Police Organization, 1941–44

Due to the shortage of German personnel, the Nazi police structure in the east relied heavily on local manpower to carry out its various tasks. For patrolling the countryside, the German iitGendarmerie established a network of small posts in each of the iitrayon towns. The ratio of Gendarmes to local police (iitSchutzmannschaft), however, was initially at least one to five and worsened from the summer of 1942. Accordingly the local police played an important role in the functioning and image of the German occupation regime.1
Principles of Cortical Function

Two fundamental pillars of cortical organization are examined: the “localization principle” and the “reflex principle.” The fluctuating opinions of their relevance and validity throughout the ages are reviewed. The contemporary “directed modular pathway” model of cortical function, which incorporates elements of both cortical principles, is analyzed. The impact of intrinsic spontaneous cortical activity upon what would otherwise be an input-output reflex machine is examined. The resulting model of cortical function will form the context within which the search for the NCC will proceed.
LESSONS IN FISCAL ACTIVISM

This Article highlights an anomaly. It tells a story of two tax rules that were introduced at the same time to achieve a similar goal. Both were meant to be temporary and stimulate economic growth but received dramatically different outcomes. The Article reviews the reasons for this paradox. It demonstrates that the causes are structural, ideological, and political. It argues that the historical support the two mechanisms received diverged in accordance with their complexity, the perceptions they epitomized, and their instrumental role in society. The Article not only enriches an important and ongoing debate on the role of the tax system in our society that has received much attention in recent years, but also provides important historical insights to policymakers.
Evaluation of radiation exposure to echo technicians from MPI procedures

2834 Objectives Patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) are often scheduled for an echocardiogram study the same day. Some technicians have expressed concerns regarding their radiation exposure potential while imaging these patients. Since echo technicians’ exposure to radioactive patients is not well described in current literature, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the whole body radiation exposure that technicians receive from patients undergoing an echocardiogram post MPI. The secondary objective was to identify the necessity of dosimetry badging for employee safety in order to address technician concerns of exposure. Methods This was an observational study at Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital/Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, WI that included 129 patients receiving both a 99m Tc-sestamibi MPI and an echo procedure the same day. A lead pig containing two badges labeled “Upper” and “Lower” were placed in each of six echo labs. Echo technicians were instructed to place the “Upper” badge on the left collar of their shirt and the “Lower” badge on their right side, approximately six inches below their armpit, ensuring that it would come into contact with the patient during imaging. The badges and related documentation were collected and rotated approximately every two weeks. Results Of the 129 patients in the study, 111 were excluded as a result of scheduling the MPI after the echo study. This scheduling was found to be incidental. Echo technician exposures were recorded utilizing the badge exposure data from the 18 remaining patients. Preliminary results demonstrate that technician exposures varied from non-detectable to 10 mrem with the “Upper” badges, on average, recording a lesser exposure rate than the “Lower” badges. Conclusions Most patients receiving an echo were unintentionally scheduled in a way that minimized technicians’ exposure, either by having the study prior to MPI or after the patient’s radioactivity had decayed. Despite this, 2 week badge exposures still collected to up to 10 mrem. In the absence of a standardized scheduling protocol, there is a risk that the 111 (86%) patients excluded from this study would add to the radiation exposure if they had received the MPI prior to the echo study. Conservative radiation badging for whole body dose begins at 100 mrem in order to ensure compliance with regulations that require badging begins at 500 mrem. Exposures of this level would indicate a necessity to badge and adjust radiation safety education requirements of employees in the echo department.
High on aspirin platelet reactivity in pediatric patients undergoing the fontan procedure

Current guidelines recommend routine aspirin thromboprophylaxis after each stage of palliation for children with single ventricle heart disease.1 In the only randomized trial to evaluate efficacy of aspirin thromboprophylaxis after the Fontan procedure, 21% of patients still had a thromboembolism.2 One possible mechanism is suboptimal inhibition of ex vivo platelet function in response to aspirin referred to as high on aspirin platelet reactivity (HAPR). Increased platelet turnover, platelet activation, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction due to hypoxemia, cardiopulmonary bypass, and Fontan conduit surfaces may lead to impaired aspirin responsiveness in this population. We evaluated laboratory markers of aspirin responsiveness in the early postoperative period after the Fontan procedure. Twenty patients undergoing the Fontan procedure (13 males, median 33 months of age) were enrolled between August 2014 and June 2015. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Children’s National Health System, and all families provided informed consent for participation. Aspirin was discontinued in all patients 5 days before their surgical procedure. After induction of anesthesia, blood was obtained for thromboelastography with platelet mapping (TEG-PM), and a urine sample was collected …
Ph-Induced Oligomerization of the Voltage Dependent Anion Channel

The Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel (VDAC) is the most abundant protein in the outer mitochondrial membrane facilitating the passage of ions and metabolites between the cytoplasm and the intermembrane space. In addition to its critical role in bioenergetics, VDAC is capable of modulating the organelle's permeability, implicating VDAC in metabolic stress and mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death. VDAC functions as a monomer but exhibits various oligomeric states, as shown by electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Oligomerization of VDAC can be linked to apoptosis and therefore is crucial for understanding mitochondrial regulation. Double Electron-Electron Resonance (DEER) on 4 singly spin-labeled mutants of mVDAC1 revealed a specific pH-induced dimerization. These inter-molecular distances were used to generate a model of a dimer interface that contains Glutamate 73. Mutation of Glutamate 73, to either Alanine or Glutamine, prevented pH induced oligomerization confirming the vital role of this residue. This dimer, induced by acidification, differs from any oligomeric form of VDAC previously described and likely plays a significant role in mitochondrial regulation and apoptosis in the response to cytosolic acidification during cellular stress.
Survivorship of Z-Pheromone Race European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on a Range of Host Plants Varying in Defensive Chemistry.

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), was introduced in North America in the early 1900s and became a major pest of corn. After its introduction, it was found on > 200 other plant hosts, but corn remained its primary host. Early life history studies indicated that European corn borer had the potential of a wide host range. For nearly 80 yr before the introduction of Bt corn, the European corn borer was a major pest of corn in North America. This study investigated the growth and survivorship of the Z-pheromone race European corn borer on a range of hosts that vary in defensive chemistries and historic degree of infestation to better understand the current host plant range of Z-pheromone race of O. nubilalis. The plants tested include sweet corn, cry1F Bt field corn, non-Bt corn, cucumber, tomato, and green bean. Experiments were conducted in the growth chamber, greenhouse, and field to determine survival under different conditions. In most cases, results supported the expected outcome, with significantly higher survival on non-Bt corn hosts than the other hosts tested. Neonate larvae fed exclusively on leaves of green bean exhibited intermediate survival, whereas third-instars fed on only leaves of cucumber survived intermediately. Larvae on Bt corn and tomato had comparable low survival rates, overall suggesting that the defensive features of tomato are about as effective as Cry1F Bt corn. Non-Bt corn was found to be the most suitable host plant, overall for European corn borer among those tested.
Macrophages are necessary for epimorphic regeneration in African spiny mice

How the immune system affects tissue regeneration is not well understood. In this study, we used an emerging mammalian model of epimorphic regeneration, the African spiny mouse, to examine cell-based inflammation and tested the hypothesis that macrophages are necessary for regeneration. By directly comparing inflammatory cell activation in a 4 mm ear injury during regeneration (Acomys cahirinus) and scarring (Mus musculus), we found that both species exhibited an acute inflammatory response, with scarring characterized by stronger myeloperoxidase activity. In contrast, ROS production was stronger and more persistent during regeneration. By depleting macrophages during injury, we demonstrate a functional requirement for these cells to stimulate regeneration. Importantly, the spatial distribution of activated macrophage subtypes was unique during regeneration with pro-inflammatory macrophages failing to infiltrate the regeneration blastema. Together, our results demonstrate an essential role for inflammatory cells to regulate a regenerative response.
Deep learning for categorization of lung cancer CT images

Lung cancer is a serious health problem. In the United States alone, approximately 225,000 people each year are diagnosed with lung cancer. Early detection is a crucial part of giving patients the best chance of recovery. Deep learning gives us an opportunity to increase the accuracy of the automated initial diagnosis. Here we present an ensemble of Convolution Neural Networks(CNN) using multiple preprocessing methods to increase the accuracy of the automated labeling of the scans. We have done this by implementing ensembles of CNNs along with a voting system to get the consensus of the two networks. The initial results of our best method show both a consistently high accuracy (97.5%) and a low percentage of false positives (
SP0132 Viruses driving vasculitis

Viruses have long been associated with varying forms of vasculitis in both pre-clinical models and human diseases. Immunopathogenic mechanisms have varied and include direct vascular invasion, immune complex mediated and more recently novel mechanisms which include autoinflammatory like responses. This discussion will review major advances in the field of medical virology as it applies to rheumatic diseases, especially vascular inflammatory disease, including an introduction to the human and more specifically vascular microviromes. Major forms of virally mediated vasculitis will be discussed with an emphasis on new viral vasculitis syndromes largely defined by next generation sequencing and their potential clinical impact. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Classification of cancer cells using computational analysis of dynamic morphology.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Detection of metastatic tumor cells is important for early diagnosis and staging of cancer. However, such cells are exceedingly difficult to detect from blood or biopsy samples at the disease onset. It is reported that cancer cells, and especially metastatic tumor cells, show very distinctive morphological behavior compared to their healthy counterparts on aptamer functionalized substrates. The ability to quickly analyze the data and quantify the cell morphology for an instant real-time feedback can certainly contribute to early cancer diagnosis. A supervised machine learning approach is presented for identification and classification of cancer cell gestures for early diagnosis. METHODS We quantified the morphologically distinct behavior of metastatic cells and their healthy counterparts captured on aptamer-functionalized glass substrates from time-lapse optical micrographs. As a proof of concept, the morphologies of human glioblastoma (hGBM) and astrocyte cells were used. The cells were captured and imaged with an optical microscope. Multiple feature vectors were extracted to quantify and differentiate the complex physical gestures of cancerous and non-cancerous cells. Three different classifier models, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest Tree (RFT), and Naive Bayes Classifier (NBC) were trained with the known dataset using machine learning algorithms. The performances of the classifiers were compared for accuracy, precision, and recall measurements using five-fold cross-validation technique. RESULTS All the classifier models detected the cancer cells with an average accuracy of at least 82%. The NBC performed the best among the three classifiers in terms of Precision (0.91), Recall (0.9), and F1-score (0.89) for the existing dataset. CONCLUSIONS This paper presents a standalone system built on machine learning techniques for cancer screening based on cell gestures. The system offers rapid, efficient, and novel identification of hGBM brain tumor cells and can be extended to define single cell analysis metrics for many other types of tumor cells.
Organic Photovoltaics: Focus on Its Strengths

Darren J. Lipomi is an associate professor in the Department of NanoEngineering at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his PhD degree in chemistry from Harvard University in 2010 under George M. Whitesides, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University from 2010 to 2012 under Zhenan Bao. He is a recipient of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award and the NIH Director's New Innovator Award. His current research focuses on the mechanical properties of electronic materials for applications in energy and health care.
Maximally economic sparse arrays and cantor arrays

Sparse arrays, where the sensors are properly placed with nonuniform spacing, are able to resolve more uncorrelated sources than sensors. This ability arises from the property that the difference coarray, defined as the differences between sensor locations, has many more consecutive integers (hole-free) than the number of sensors. In some implementations, it might be preferable that a) the arrays be symmetric, b) that the arrays be maximally economic, that is, each sensor be essential, and c) that the coarray be hole-free. The essentialness property of a sensor means that if it is deleted, then the difference coarray changes. Existing sparse arrays, such as minimum redundancy arrays (MRA), nested arrays, and coprime arrays do not satisfy these three criteria simultaneously. It will be shown in this paper that Cantor arrays meet all the desired properties mentioned above, based on a comprehensive study on the structure of the difference coarray. Even though Cantor arrays were previously proposed in fractal array design, their coarray properties have not been studied earlier. It will also be shown that the Cantor array has a hole-free difference coarray of size Nlog2 3 « N1585 where N is the number of sensors. This is unlike the sizes of difference coarrays of the MRA, nested array, coprime array (all O(N2)), and uniform linear arrays (O(N))1.
Endoscopic Management of Ureterocele and Syringocele

Ureteroceles and syringoceles are congenital abnormalities that represent ballooning or dilated extensions of the ureter and bulbourethral gland duct (Cowper’s duct) respectively. These abnormalities may result in obstruction of the urinary tract or abnormal urine flow causing urinary tract infections, pain, and other urinary symptoms. Since syringoceles occur infrequently, our primary focus is endoscopic treatment of ureteroceles, although the treatment principles are similar.
Microbial Transformations of Aromatic Pollutants

ABSTRACT Over geological time microorganisms have evolved catabolic enzyme systems for the metabolism of naturally-occurring aromatic compounds and laboratory studies have revealed certain general features of aromatic metabolism. Thus, oxygen plays a central role in the hydroxylation and fission of the aromatic nucleus. Bacteria incorporate both atoms of molecular oxygen into aromatic hydrocarbons to form cis -dihydrodiols which then undergo further oxidation to catechols. In contrast mammals and fungi incorporate one atom of oxygen into aromatic hydrocarbons to form reactive arene oxides which undergo enzymatic hydration to form dihydrodiols with a trans-stereochemistry. The presence of two hydroxyl groups on the aromatic nucleus is a prerequisite for enzymatic fission of the ring. The hydroxyl substituents may be ortho or para to each other. Subsequent metabolic sequences vary depending on the organism and the site of ring cleavage. Molecules synthesized by man are degraded if they bear a structural relationship to naturally-occurring compounds. These features are discussed in relation to the microbial transformations of PCB's and chlorinated benzoic acids.
SOME ECONOMIC SCENARIOS FOR THE 1980's: Nobel Memorial Lecture, 8 December, 1980

Publisher Summary This chapter presents some economic scenarios for the 1990s. At the beginning of a decade, it is tempting to look ahead for the next 10 years. In addition to end-of-decade targets, there is considerable interest, at the present time, in end-of-century targets. Analysis of multi-decade developments depends on an even longer view. There is general recognition that something large has come over the leading countries in the OECD area. In the case of the United States, real GNP growth, from the end of World War II until the end of the 1960s, averaged just under 4%. The chapter focuses on the important events that led to a change in the economic profile post World War II in the US. Averages for the past decade, after smoothing of cyclical movements, show changed trends in growth, inflation, unemployment rates, interest rates, internal deficits, and external deficits. The U.S. economy is fundamentally beset by fiscal drag. When the economy is operating in the neighborhood of full employment, present tax and revenue statutes are capable of generating very large receipts, generally large enough to cover all reasonable expenditures, extrapolated along historical growth paths.
Malayalam Phonology: Segmentals

No theory of language can be properly evaluated without fully worked-out grammars that make use of the theory in handling a complex body of interacting phenomena. In chapter II, I tried to provide such a body of data and analyses from English, against which the theory of Lexical Phonology may be judged. In chapters III and IV, I explore a different language, namely, Malayalam, a Dravidian language spoken in Southern India.
Impact of Enlarged Nonhypermetabolic Lymph Nodes on Outcomes After Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract Background Up to 15% of patients undergoing positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) before stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) harbor occult nodal disease. In the absence of invasive mediastinal staging, the clinical significance of enlarged nonhypermetabolic lymph nodes (LNs) remains unclear. We performed what is to our knowledge the first study to address whether enlarged nonhypermetabolic LNs were associated with higher post-SBRT failure rates. Patients and Methods Two academic centers assessed 157 consecutive patients treated with SBRT for cT1-2aN0M0 non–small-cell lung cancer who underwent PET/CT without pathologic nodal staging. The cutoff of an enlarged node was ≥ 1.0 cm, although a 7 mm threshold was also evaluated. Local recurrence-free survival (RFS), regional RFS, distant metastasis-free survival, RFS, and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier methodology. Multivariate Cox modeling addressed factors associated with RFS and OS. Results There were 120 patients (76%) with LNs .05 for all). Thirteen percent of patients experienced any nodal relapse, 15% of which occurred in the same station as that of the largest pre-SBRT LN. Stratification by largest LN location in an N1 versus N2 station showed no differences in RFS or OS (P > .05 for both). A 7 mm cutoff also showed no differences in outcomes (P > .05 for all). LN size was not correlated with RFS/OS on multivariable analysis (P > .05 for both). Conclusion The presence of enlarged nonhypermetabolic LNs on PET/CT is not associated with increased post-SBRT failure rates.
The Efficacy of an Event-Specific, Text Message, Personalized Drinking Feedback Intervention.

Tailgating drinking prior to a football game is a type of event-specific drinking associated with increased alcohol use and related problems. Personalized drinking feedback interventions (PFI) are efficacious in reducing alcohol use and problems. The current study aimed to advance understanding of event-specific interventions by examining: (1) the efficacy of an event-specific, text message PFI on tailgating alcohol outcomes, and (2) the extent to which intervention effects generalize to “typical” alcohol outcomes at 1-month follow-up. College students (N = 130; 71% female; 92% white) who reported tailgating within the past 30 days and binge drinking when tailgating in the past year completed assessments on tailgating and typical alcohol use. They were randomly assigned to one of two text message conditions delivered on the morning of a home football game: event-specific PFI (TXT PFI) or a control condition. Multilevel modeling examined the association of treatment condition on tailgating and 1-month alcohol outcomes. When tailgating, participants in TXT PFI reported lower estimated peak blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) and consumed less drinks than the control condition. At the 1-month “typical” drinking follow-up, participants in TXT PFI reported lower peak eBAC and fewer alcohol-related problems than the control condition. Perceived tailgating drinking norms were found to statistically mediate the relationship between condition and alcohol outcome at tailgating and 1-month follow-ups. Findings provide preliminary support for the efficacy of an event-specific, text message PFI in reducing both tailgating and typical drinking alcohol outcomes. Event-specific TXT PFI can be used for prevention/intervention of alcohol misuse.
Freshman English, Composition, and CCCC

When I was invited to run for office in CCCC, like all candidates I had to put together a short statement of principle or belief for the ballot — a kind of mini-stump speech where I would set out my sense of the organization and its mission. This was a hard piece to write — “what I believe” in 200 words — and particularly hard for me since (frankly) I thought no one ever read them, that when the ballots came in the mail, people looked at the pictures, read the c.v., and pitched the rest.
Comments on: Perspectives on integer programming for time-dependent models

In the paper, “Perspectives on Integer Programming for Time-Dependent models”, Boland and Savelsbergh discuss integer programming (IP) models of optimization problems involving activities that have time restrictions, or resources that vary with time [both aspects are present in a recent paper by Hill et al. (2018)]. Such problems are common in many industrial applications and are often very hard to solve. The Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows (TSPTW) is an important “time-dependent model” that combines routing and scheduling issues, and Boland and Savelsbergh illustrate techniques to handle time-dependent models on the TSPTW.