cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Members to the Species Level

The species identification of members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is critical to the timely initiation of both appropriate antibiotic therapy and proper public health control measures. However, the current commercially available molecular assays identify mycobacteria only to the complex level and are unable to differentiate M. tuberculosis from the closely related M. bovis and M. bovis BCG. We describe here a rapid and robust two-step, multiplex, real-time PCR assay based on genomic deletions to definitively identify M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. bovis BCG, and other members of the complex. When tested against a panel of well-characterized mycobacterial reference strains, the assay was both sensitive and specific, correctly identifying all strains. We applied this assay to 60 clinical isolates previously identified as M. tuberculosis complex and found 57 M. tuberculosis isolates and 3 M. bovis BCG isolates from patients who had received intravesical BCG. Furthermore, analysis of 15 clinical specimens previously identified as M. bovis by spoligotyping revealed an isolate of M. tuberculosis that had been misidentified. We propose that this assay will allow the routine identification of M. tuberculosis complex members in the clinical laboratory.
Activity of Megakaryocytes in the Postoperative State

Simultaneous bone marrow smears and platelet counts on the peripheral blood were made preoperatively and on the third and the tenth days after operation in 14 patients. Observations of the activity of the megakaryocytes of the bone marrow on the third day were inconclusive and require further observation. There was, however, a significant increase in activity on the tenth day. It is postulated that the thrombocytosis which occurs on the tenth postoperative day is the result of increased activity of the megakaryocytes of the bone marrow induced by the attempt of the body to replenish depleted platelet reserves.
The genetic diversity and structure of indica rice in China as detected by single nucleotide polymorphism analysis

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple food of more than half of the world’s population. The identification of genetic diversity in local varieties of rice compared with that of improved or introduced varieties is important in breeding elite varieties for sustainable agriculture. Array-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection is a useful technique for such studies and breeding applications. We developed a 5291-SNP genome-wide array and used it to genotype 471 indica rice accessions in China using Illumina’s Infinium technology. Local, introduced, and improved rice varieties were clustered into three sub-groups, with some overlapping shown in principal component analysis and neighbor-joining tree, also confirmed by model-based structure. A minor allele frequency ≥0.2 was observed in 72 % of polymorphic SNPs in local rice varieties, which was higher than that in other sub-groups. Local rice varieties also had the highest mean polymorphism information content (PIC) and genetic diversity. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 90.61 % of genetic variation was a result of differences within sub-groups. Our results revealed that SNP analysis clustered local varieties, introduced varieties, and improved varieties into three clear sub-groups. The distribution of parameter PIC values on sub-group genomes revealed that genetic differentiation among them might not be on a genome-wide scale, but rather on selected loci or chromosomal intervals. The result of Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that genes nearby those selected SNPs associated different molecular functions or various traits among sub-groups.
Development of a Student Interest in Mathematics Scale for Gifted and Talented Programming Identification

The study’s purpose was to develop and validate a scale for assessing interest in mathematics among elementary students as part of an identification protocol for gifted and talented programming. Lo...
Anatomy and function of expanded ribs in certain edentates and primates.

Anteroposteriorly expanded ribs occur in all three species of myrme-cophagids (Cyclopes didactylus, Tamandua tetradactyla, and Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Similar rib expansion occurs in some armadillos (for example, Dasypus novemcinctus, Priodontes giganteas, Euphractus sexcinctus) and in some primates (Arctocebus calabarensis, Perodicticus potto, and Loris tardigradus). In C. didactylus and A. calabarensis rib expansion is so extensive that adjacent ribs imbricate. the epaxial and hypaxial musculature related to the expanded ribs in all three myrmecophagid species is described. the intercostal spaces in T. tetradactyla and M. tridactyla are approximately 50 per cent narrower than in various other mammals with unexpanded ribs; the intercostal musculature of these two species is approximately twice as thick as that in other mammals with unexpanded ribs. the proportion of intercostal musculature in C. didactylus is comparable to that in other mammals. Functionally, expanded ribs may increase the stability of the thorax, which, in turn, increases the stability of the vertebral column. This specialization in T. tetradactyla and M. tridactyla probably relates to their fossorial habitus; the trunk is stabilized during fossorial activity by xenarthrous processes in the lumbar region and by expanded ribs and robust intercostal muscles in the thorax. in strictly arboreal forms such as C. didactylus and A. calabarensis, lumbo-thoracic stability may be employed in methodical arboreal locomotion. C. didactylus, at least, is able to anchor itself with hind feet and tail and extend its trunk and forelimbs to reach an adjacent branch—a feat requiring unusual lumbothoracic stability.
Quality Analysis of Network Report on Notifiable Infectious Diseases in Anhui Province

Objective The purpose of the present study was to analyze network report on epidemic situation of the whole province and grasp its quality so as to detect problems and provide timely suggestions.Methods The cards related to type A and B infectious diseases reported via network from 1 January to 31 December in 2005 were analyzed with Excel.Results In the whole province, the number of the cases was 150619 and all belonged to type B. Of which onsets of 7787 cases occurred before 1, January in 2005, accounting for 5.17%. Cards without the name of doctors accounted for 27.61% and cards without the name of parents in cases whose age was less than14 accounted for 16.01%. It took only 0.33 days in average from filling cards by doctors to auditing them.Conclusion The use of network direct report system has substantially improved the timeliness-effectiveness of epidemic reports, and we should further strengthen training of related personnel, constantly perfect national disease monitoring and information report system and bring forward new management norms for epidemic report as soon as possible.
Investigate for Therapeutic Evaluation of Chinese Drugs Intervention for the Treatment of Advanced Pancreatic and Liver Cancer

Objective:Therapeutic evaluation of Chinese drugs intervention for the treatment of advanced pancreatic and liver cancer. Methods:A retrospective study method,medicine intervention of clinical data were recorded after two weeks,an objective evaluation of the efficacy evaluation of cancer data completeness. Results:Clinical evaluation of the previous methods can not quite fully reflected the efficacy of intervention. Conclusion:To the comprehensive quality of life for the efficacy of the pilot evaluation method may be more suitable for interventional therapy in the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine,it is necessary to further exploration.
Down and Out or On Their Way: Street People, the Homeless, and College Students Envision the American Dream

In this penultimate chapter the author and two colleagues present the results of interviews with street people and the homeless from a small city in western Washington, and online survey results from inquiries carried out by liberal arts students in a psychology research course. The interviews with the homeless document serious disenchantment with the American Dream and a disengagement from the dominant institutions of American society. The online survey results confirm the upward striving of liberal arts students and their social media contacts consistent with the strong achievement ethic within the American Dream.
Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Open-Lot Cattle Feedyards: A Review

Nitrous oxide (NO) emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations, including cattle feedyards, have become an important research topic. However, there are limitations to current measurement techniques, uncertainty in the magnitude of feedyard NO fluxes, and a lack of effective mitigation methods. The objective of this review was to assess NO emission from cattle feedyards, including comparison of measured and modeled emission rates, discussion of measurement methods, and evaluation of mitigation options. Published annual per capita flux rates for beef cattle feedyards and open-lot dairies were highly variable and ranged from 0.002 to 4.3 kg NO animal yr. On an area basis, published emission rates ranged from 0 to 41 mg NO m h. From these studies and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emission factors, calculated daily per capita NO fluxes averaged 18 ± 10 g NO animal d (range, 0.04-67 g NO animal d). This variation was due to inconsistency in measurement techniques as well as irregularity in NO production and emission attributable to management, animal diet, and environmental conditions. Based on this review, it is clear that the magnitude and dynamics of NO emissions from open-lot cattle systems are not well understood. Further research is required to quantify feedyard NO fluxes and develop cost-effective mitigation methods.
A fast direct integral-equation solver for hydraulic fracture diagnosis

An ℋ-matrix based fast direct solver is presented to accelerate the solution of volume integral equations pertinent to the analysis of hydraulic fracture resistivity measurements. The solvers performance for this problem type is compared to that of an FFT-accelerated iterative solver.
Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012–2015

Including animals in autism intervention is growing in both research and practice. A systematic literature review was conducted to collate and synthesize all empirical research on animal-assisted intervention (AAI) for autism published from 2012 to 2015. Findings from 28 included studies revealed that AAI programs generally include one animal per participant with a total contact time of approximately 10 hours over the course of 8 to 12 weeks. Research methodology is diverse and though limited in many cases, has improved over the last few years. The most commonly reported outcome was increased social interaction, which was unanimously significant across 22 studies. The need for further research is highlighted, calling for a focus on refining AAI techniques, identifying optimal circumstances for positive change as well as individuals who may not benefit, and independent replication of high quality studies to move AAI from an enrichment activity to an evidence-based practice for autism.
Effects of Immunomodulators and Biologic Agents on Sexual Health in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Although much knowledge has been gained regarding the medical and surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a paucity of information is available on the psychosexual issues related to IBD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual health of patients with IBD who were taking immunomodulators and/or biologic agents vs patients with IBD who were not on that medication regimen. Methods: All study participants completed a validated sexual health questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index or the International Index of Erectile Function, to assess their subjective perception of the effect of IBD on the different domains of sexual function during the prior 1-month time period. Results: No statistically significant differences in any baseline demographic variables were found for either sex between the group taking immunomodulators/biologic agents and the nontreatment group. Among females and males, individual question responses, domain scores, and total scores showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 treatment groups. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the use of immunomodulators or biologic agents does not affect female or male sexual health. However, treatment of patients with IBD must be individualized based on the aggressive nature of the disease, treatment goals, and the tolerability of various medications.
Atomoxetine in abstinent cocaine users: Cognitive, subjective and cardiovascular effects

No pharmacotherapies are approved for the treatment of cocaine use disorders (CUD). Behavioral treatments for CUD are efficacious for some individuals, but recovery rates from CUD remain low. Cognitive impairments in CUD have been linked with poorer clinical outcomes. Cognitive enhancing pharmacotherapies have been proposed as promising treatments for CUD. Atomoxetine, a norepinephrine transporter inhibitor, shows potential as a treatment for CUD based on its efficacy as a cognitive enhancer in other clinical populations and impact on addictive processes in preclinical and human laboratory studies. In this randomized, double-blind, crossover study, abstinent individuals with CUD (N=39) received placebo, 40 and 80mg atomoxetine, over three sessions. Measures of attention, response inhibition and working memory; subjective medication effects and mood; and cardiovascular effects were collected. Analyses assessed acute, dose-dependent effects of atomoxetine. In addition, preliminary analyses investigating the modulation of atomoxetine dose effects by sex were performed. Atomoxetine increased heart rate and blood pressure, was rated as having positive and negative subjective drug effects, and had only modest effects on mood and cognitive enhancement.
Extending Biological Pathways by Utilizing Conditional Mutual Information Extracted from RNA-SEQ Gene Expression Data

We propose a method of constructing a gene/protein regulatory network specifically tailored for assessing the disease state of a patient by combining generally known gene/protein pathways with transcription level changes obtained by comparing the patient’s data with the average gene expression data of the disease population. This approach uses histogram estimation with conditional mutual information to identify if some genes/proteins may more likely interact with each other. We applied our method to the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer data, specifically, RNA-Seq gene expression data of 110 breast cancer, 141 colorectal cancer, 445 gastric cancer and 105 rectal cancer samples, which are publicly available. We focused on examining transcription factors such as SNAI1, SNAI2, ZEB2, and TWIST1 and their downstream targets in EMT pathway (e.g., OCLN, DSP, VIM and CDH2…). We discovered that although the participating biological entities of the EMT pathway are generally known, our approach can extend their regulatory relationships through new discoveries. Our approach could form a basis for inventing a novel way of constructing a gene regulation pathway specifically tailored for each individual cancer patient.
Establishing the standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma.

Overview:The current standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma includes maximal safe tumor resection followed by concurrent external-beam radiation with daily low-dose temozol...
Properties of high-spin states in Nb 91 and Zr 91 via Li 6 -induced reactions

The properties of high-spin states in $^{91}\mathrm{Nb}$ and $^{91}\mathrm{Zr}$ have been studied with the $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}(^{6}\mathrm{Li},3n)^{91}\mathrm{Nb}$ and $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}(^{6}\mathrm{Li},p2n)^{91}\mathrm{Zr}$ reactions. In-beam measurements with Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray excitation functions, $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidences, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray angular distributions, and pulsed beam-$\ensuremath{\gamma}$ timing spectra were made to establish decay schemes, level energies, spin-parity assignments, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray multipolarities, and isomeric lifetimes. All of the high-spin states involving the $\ensuremath{\pi}1{\mathrm{g}}_{\frac{9}{2}}$, $\ensuremath{\pi}2{\mathrm{p}}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, and $\ensuremath{\nu}2{\mathrm{d}}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ orbitals as well as other more complicated states were identified. In particular, the theoretically predicted isomeric states in $^{91}\mathrm{Nb}$ and $^{91}\mathrm{Zr}$ were found: the $|{(1{g}_{\frac{9}{2}})}^{2}2{p}_{\frac{1}{2}},{\frac{17}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}〉$ state in $^{91}\mathrm{Nb}$ is at 2035 keV with a $\ensuremath{\tau}=5.42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.18$ \ensuremath{\mu}sec, and the $|{(1{g}_{\frac{9}{2}})}^{2}2{d}_{\frac{5}{2}},{\frac{21}{2}}^{+}〉$ state in $^{91}\mathrm{Zr}$ is at 3167 keV with a $\ensuremath{\tau}=6.28\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.20$ \ensuremath{\mu}sec. The experimental energy levels and $B(E2)$ values obtained for these nuclei as well as those of other $N=50 \mathrm{and} 51$ nuclei are compared with recent theoretical work of Gloeckner et al. The $E2$ effective charges for the mass-90 region are discussed.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}(^{6}\mathrm{Li},3n)$, $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}(^{6}\mathrm{Li},p2n)$, $E=34$ MeV, pulsed beam; measured $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence; deduced levels in $^{91}\mathrm{Nb}$ and $^{91}\mathrm{Zr}$; measured $\ensuremath{\gamma}(E, \ensuremath{\theta}, t)$; deduced ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$, ${T}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, branching ratio, $\ensuremath{\delta}(\frac{E2}{M1})$, $B(E2)$, effective charges. Natural target, Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors.
Time Dependent Structural Evolution of Porous Organic Cage CC3

Herein we followed the structural evolution of a prototypical type of porous organic cage, CC3, as a function of synthesis time. Three distinctive crystal formation stages were identified: at short synthesis times, a rapid crystal growth stage in which amorphous agglomerates transformed into larger irregular particles was observed. At intermediate synthesis times, a decrease in crystal size over time was observed presumably due to crystal fragmentation, redissolution, and/or homogeneous nucleation. Finally, at longer synthesis times, a regrowth process was observed in which particles coalesced through Ostwald ripening leading to a continuous increase in crystal size. Molecular simulation studies, based on the construction of in silico CC3 models and simulation of XRD patterns and nitrogen isotherms, confirm the samples at different synthesis times to be a mixture of CC3α and CC3-amorphous phases. The CC3α phase is found to contract at different synthesis times, and the amorphous phase is found to essentia...
An evaluation of consensus techniques for diagnostic interpretation

Learning diagnostic labels from image content has been the standard in computer-aided diagnosis. Most computer-aided diagnosis systems use low-level image features extracted directly from image content to train and test machine learning classifiers for diagnostic label prediction. When the ground truth for the diagnostic labels is not available, reference truth is generated from the experts diagnostic interpretations of the image/region of interest. More specifically, when the label is uncertain, e.g. when multiple experts label an image and their interpretations are different, techniques to handle the label variability are necessary. In this paper, we compare three consensus techniques that are typically used to encode the variability in the experts labeling of the medical data: mean, median and mode, and their effects on simple classifiers that can handle deterministic labels (decision trees) and probabilistic vectors of labels (belief decision trees). Given that the NIH/NCI Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) data provides interpretations for lung nodules by up to four radiologists, we leverage the LIDC data to evaluate and compare these consensus approaches when creating computer-aided diagnosis systems for lung nodules. First, low-level image features of nodules are extracted and paired with their radiologists semantic ratings (1= most likely benign, , 5 = most likely malignant); second, machine learning multi-class classifiers that handle deterministic labels (decision trees) and probabilistic vectors of labels (belief decision trees) are built to predict the lung nodules semantic ratings. We show that the mean-based consensus generates the most robust classi- fier overall when compared to the median- and mode-based consensus. Lastly, the results of this study show that, when building CAD systems with uncertain diagnostic interpretation, it is important to evaluate different strategies for encoding and predicting the diagnostic label.
Dynamically-Based Criteria for the Identification of Optimal Bioreserve Networks

The use of “surrogate” design criteria (such as size or connectedness) to evaluate potential bioreserve network alternatives is attractive because they can be relatively straightforward to measure. However, to promote the persistence of a focal species, a higher level of biological detail may be used to derive specific design criteria for the species of interest. But just as for surrogate criteria, no single best criterion is likely to arise. Here, a set of mechanistic equations describing the dynamics of hawks and voles in a hypothetical landscape is used to derive design criteria for a reserve network. Multiobjective Integer Programming (MOIP) then identifies reserve network alternatives that reflect the tradeoffs between the objectives. When choosing from only five potential patches for inclusion in the network, in four of five cases a single design optimized the design objectives simultaneously. When choosing from ten patches, in all five cases there were conflicts between the objectives, but in two of five cases, there were optimal intermediate solutions along the tradeoff surface between the objectives. When resources allow, a more detailed description of the species of conservation interest may be used to develop reserve design criteria that are likely to promote persistence. MOIP can then be used to evaluate potential compromises between the criteria.
Changes in thyroid function tests in physical and psychiatric diseases

It has been recognized for some time that thyroid function abnormalities accompany non-thyroidal illness. When a test is abnormal, it generally implies abnormal function of the system tested. However, in the case of thyroid function tests, the abnormal results appear to be unrelated to altered thyroid function. One of the problems in being dogmatic about whether the tests alone are at fault as a result of ill health, is that there is no single, easily measured gold standard of thyroid function at the cellular level. In addition, clinical evaluation of sick patients does not always allow thyroid disease to be diagnosed, or excluded with certainty. The single best test of thyroid function as far as tissues are concerned is serum TSH, but even this is modulated by other factors apart from serum FT4 and T3 levels.
Science, Pseudoscience, and Not Science: How Do They Differ?

Many news stories related to health and the environment introduce and describe scientific concepts which may be unfamiliar to the reader. Often, the stories draw conclusions based on the scientific or technical concepts that were presented, with the result that the reader is left to rely on a correct interpretation of the concept by the writer. Similarly, many marketing and advertising claims for health-related products rely on anecdotal evidence, rather than on the outcomes of controlled research.
Social Dominance, Mating and Spacing Systems, Female Fecundity, and Vocal Dialects in Captive and Free-Ranging Brown-Headed Cowbirds

The expression of strong parental care is one of the reasons birds attract so much attention from both laymen and biologists. Given this attention, it is not surprising that the few bird species that exhibit little or no parental care have become especially noteworthy. In the case of the widespread and brood-parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), much of the notoriety has been combined with loathing, because not only does the cowbird not care for its young but its breeding activities usually result in the death of some or all of the “innocent” young of its hosts. Dawson (1923, p. 77), for example, denounced the female cowbird as “destitute of all natural affection...” and as “... the unchaste mother of a race gone wrong, an enemy of bird society, [and] a blight upon the flower of Progress.”
Decreased survival and increased rate of fibrotic progression in essential thrombocythemia chronicled after the FDA approval date of anagrelide.

First-line cytoreductive drug of choice in high risk essential thrombocythemia (ET) is currently hydroxyurea, a practice based on the results of a randomized study; second-line drugs of choice include pegylated interferon-α, busulfan and anagrelide. Anagrelide clinical trials were pioneered by the late Murray N. Silverstein (1928-1998) of the Mayo Clinic whose studies led to FDA approval in March 1997. The current study represents a retrospective examination of the potential impact of anagrelide therapy on survival and disease complications in ET. 1076 patients with ET were considered (median age 58 years; females 63%); risk distribution, according to the international prognostic score for ET (IPSET), was 28% high, 42% intermediate, and 30% low. Overall (OS), myelofibrosis-free (MFFS) and thrombosis-free survival data were compared for ET patients diagnosed before and after the 1997 FDA approval date for anagrelide; a significant difference was apparent in OS (P = .006; HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7) and MFFS (P < .001; HR 4.2, 95% CI 2.7-6.5), in favor of patients diagnosed prior to 1997; the difference was sustained during multivariable analysis that included IPSET. Similarly stratified survival data in polycythemia vera (n = 665) and primary myelofibrosis (n = 1282) showed no similar impact on survival (P = .3 and .17, respectively). The current study represents a retrospective analysis and suggests significantly decreased OS and MFFS in ET patients diagnosed after the FDA approval date of anagrelide. Whether or not anagrelide therapy was to blame for the worsening of OS and MFFS over time cannot be assumed and requires validation in a prospective study.
Keep on Keeping On: Maintaining Momentum for Criminal Justice Reform During the Trump Era

This paper suggests a way forward for criminal justice reform in the Trump era. To borrow a phrase from civil rights workers who put their bodies on the line to dismantle Jim Crow, criminal justice progressives seeking to dismantle mass incarceration need to “keep on keeping on.” They must remain aware of threats to their momentum, while maintaining steadfast commitment to their missions. A three-point strategy provides a useful, though by no means exhaustive, framework for progress: First, reward, replicate, and expand bipartisan reform efforts at the local level; second, maintain a reform agenda that addresses violent crime; and third, engage crime victims and formerly incarcerated people as co-architects of a new framework for justice.
Contracts Mattered as Much as Copyrights

Scholars have begun to appreciate the fundamental role that contracts played in the development of copyrights. Contracts gave copyrights vitalilty. This article explores the network of book publishing contracts that formed the legal infrastructure for a pre-modern “internet” at the dawn of copyright law in Great Britain in the eighteenth century. Drawing on insights from archival research, the article shows how this network of copyright contracts advanced an important goal of copyright: the spread of ideas and information throughout all parts of society. Appreciating the historical significance of copyright contracts provides valuable context for modern debates about copyright policy. Indeed, contracts matter as much as copyrights in fostering innovation in the modern information economy because contracts enable the beneficial sharing of ideas and information. This insight about contracts is particularly vital for those judges and lawmakers who make decisions about innovation policy, including the scope of copyright law’s first sale doctrine and the enforceability of software license agreements.
X-Band Archimedean Spiral Antenna Array with Sloped-Wall Backing Cavity

An Archimedean Spiral Antenna Array with Sloped-Wall Backing Cavity was designed to achieve the broad bandwidth with high gain, circular polarization, and low-profile configuration for X-band (8-12 GHz) Deep Space communications for CubeSats. The designed 2 by 2 array showed good impedance matching and a low axial ratio (< 3 dB) from 8 to 12 GHz. The addition of the slope-wall backing cavity increases the realized gain of the Archimedean Spiral Antenna by greater than 3.2 dBiC across the frequency band without the drop in gain experienced by conventional cavities. The designed array fits on the 1U (100 x 100 mm2) face of the CubeSat.
Integrated Impedance-NMR identification of electrolyte stability in Lithium-Air batteries

Abstract The application of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in conjunction with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is demonstrated as a powerful analytical combination for screening of electrolyte candidates for Lithium-Air (Li-Air) battery systems. Both analytical techniques are employed to examine electrochemical kinetics at the electrolyte-electrodes interfaces, decomposition of the electrolyte candidates, and Li-Air battery cycling performance. Correlations of the changes in the EIS spectra with variations in the electrolytes chemical condition and degree of degradation via NMR are presented, leading to a better understanding of the electrochemical kinetics at the air cathode, identification of design principles for stable electrolytes, and more accurate insights in their decomposition patterns. The approach is used to develop advanced battery components such as stable electrolytes and cathodes with well-structured architecture to provide substantially higher specific energy and longer battery cycle life.
Role Based Medium Access Control in Wireless Sensor Networks

Medium Access Control is a key component of the Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) protocol stack for conserving energy, as it is responsible for radio management of a sensor node. Traditional synchronous protocols for WSNs carry out periodic duty cycles consisting of awake and sleep periods in order to conserve energy. All nodes behave similarly, in that they follow the same actions defined by the medium access layer in unison. While this is a fundamentally acceptable practice for protocol design, the reality is that not all nodes may not be required to be turned on to actively take part in the collaborative sensing and relaying required in a WSN. In this paper, we classify nodes into two roles - either a relay node or a leaf node - depending on the type of actions performed in terms of forwarding packets. Leaf nodes can safely turn their radios off during the active period of a duty cycle, which leads to energy savings in the network, and increases network lifetime. We outline how to incorporate roles into synchronous MAC protocols like TMAC, and modify the protocol behavior based on the roles defined. While our approach is not a new MAC protocol by itself, this idea can be incorporated as an optimizing heuristic in existing protocols to gain additional energy savings. Simulation studies using the Castalia WSN simulator show that our approach outperforms both SMAC and TMAC protocols in terms of packet overhead and energy conservation.
Race and police killings: examining the links between racial threat and police shootings of Black Americans

This study empirically examines recent race-specific police shootings and offers a theoretical test of racial threat arguments. Our analysis includes all aspects of threat – economic, political, an...
ImageJ analysis of dentin tubule distribution in human teeth.

Abstract Mapping the distribution of dentin tubules is vital to understanding the structure–function relationship of dentin, an important indicator of tooth stability. This study compared the distances between and density of tubules in the external dentin located in the crown region of an adult human incisor and molar to determine if analysis could be conducted using light-level microscopy. Teeth were processed for routine histology, cut in cross-section, images captured using Advanced SPOT Program, and microstructure was analyzed using ImageJ (NIH). Intratubular (peritubular) dentin with or without odontoblast processes were observed and although incisor and molar images appeared visually similar, plot profile graphs differed. Distance-intervals between tubules in the incisor (5.45–7.67 μm) had an overall range of 2.22 μm and in the molar (7.43–8.42 μm) an overall range of 0.99 μm. While molar tubule distribution displayed a tighter overall range, there was a smaller distance between most incisor tubules. The average densities observed in incisors were 15,500 tubules/mm 2 , compared with 20,100 tubules/mm 2 in molars. ImageJ analysis of prepared histology microscopic slides provides researchers with a rapid, inexpensive assessment tool when compared with advanced/ultrastructural methodologies. By combining routine histological processing and light microscopic observations followed by ImageJ analysis, tooth structure can be converted into numerical data and easily mastered by laboratory personnel.
Book Review - Making Room in the Property Canon

This review evaluates Integrating Spaces: Property Law and Race, by Professors Brophy, Lopez, and Murray. Integrating Spaces provides a way for both student and professor to unpack the meaning of race in the development of property law and consequently in the legal system and society as a whole. Racial issues have long been delegated to specialized courses: Critical Race Theory, Race and Crime, Intersectionalities, Race and Gender, Civil Rights Law. Race is seen as a story pertaining to racial minorities, and the majority of law students-as well as the majority of lawyers, law professors, and lawsuit parties-are still white. The focus of Integrating Spaces legitimizes these cases, placing them squarely within the primary legal canon. On their own, some topics feel arcane, such as the material on burial plots or on the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. As a whole, the cases demonstrate the persistent influence of race in the most obscure corners of property law.
Signature Patterns of MHC Diversity in Three Gombe Communities of Wild Chimpanzees Reflect Fitness in Reproduction and Immune Defense against SIVcpz.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules determine immune responses to viral infections. These polymorphic cell-surface glycoproteins bind peptide antigens, forming ligands for cytotoxic T and natural killer cell receptors. Under pressure from rapidly evolving viruses, hominoid MHC class I molecules also evolve rapidly, becoming diverse and species-specific. Little is known of the impact of infectious disease epidemics on MHC class I variant distributions in human populations, a context in which the chimpanzee is the superior animal model. Population dynamics of the chimpanzees inhabiting Gombe National Park, Tanzania have been studied for over 50 years. This population is infected with SIVcpz, the precursor of human HIV-1. Because HLA-B is the most polymorphic human MHC class I molecule and correlates strongly with HIV-1 progression, we determined sequences for its ortholog, Patr-B, in 125 Gombe chimpanzees. Eleven Patr-B variants were defined, as were their frequencies in Gombe’s three communities, changes in frequency with time, and effect of SIVcpz infection. The growing populations of the northern and central communities, where SIVcpz is less prevalent, have stable distributions comprising a majority of low-frequency Patr-B variants and a few high-frequency variants. Driving the latter to high frequency has been the fecundity of immigrants to the northern community, whereas in the central community, it has been the fecundity of socially dominant individuals. In the declining population of the southern community, where greater SIVcpz prevalence is associated with mortality and emigration, Patr-B variant distributions have been changing. Enriched in this community are Patr-B variants that engage with natural killer cell receptors. Elevated among SIVcpz-infected chimpanzees, the Patr-B*06:03 variant has striking structural and functional similarities to HLA-B*57, the human allotype most strongly associated with delayed HIV-1 progression. Like HLA-B*57, Patr-B*06:03 correlates with reduced viral load, as assessed by detection of SIVcpz RNA in feces.
A SCHOOL‐BASED MINDFULNESS INTERVENTION FOR URBAN YOUTH: EXPLORING MODERATORS OF INTERVENTION EFFECTS

This study examines gender, grade-level, and baseline depressive symptoms as potential moderators of a school-based mindfulness intervention's impact on the self-regulatory outcomes of urban youth. Ninety-seven participants from four urban public schools were randomly assigned to an intervention or wait-list control condition. Fourth and fifth graders in the intervention condition received a 12-week yoga-inspired mindfulness program. Using methods outlined by Aiken and West (1991), a series of models estimated the interaction effect of moderators of interest on adjusted posttest self-regulatory outcomes. Results indicate that gender and grade did not moderate intervention impacts. However, baseline depressive symptoms moderated both impulsive action and involuntary engagement stress responses such that intervention youth reporting lower levels of baseline depressive symptoms were more likely to evidence decreases in these problematic stress responses relative to control youth. Findings highlight the need for future studies to examine moderators of mindfulness-based interventions impacts on youth outcomes.
Homological characteristics of Nakayama algebras

In a previous paper [ 3 1, we described a homological characterization of pro-uniserial rings. The purpose of this paper is to give a similar charac terization of injec-uniserial rings and of Nakayama algebras. Throughout this paper, all rings are assumed to be finite-dimensional algebras over some fixed algebraically closed field F, and all modules are left modules. If R is a ring, an R-module is called uniserial iff it has a unique composition series. R is called
Contact Finite Element Stress Analysis of the Hip Joint and the Acetabular Region

The intraarticular contact areas and pressures across the normal human hip joint (1, 3, 8,11,12, 21) and the stress distributions and around the acetabulum (9, 10, 16, 17, 22) have been investigated experimentally and analytically by many researchers. The present analytical study emphasizes the acetabular side. Brown et al. (2) were the only researchers to conduct contact finite element stress analyses for study of stresses and contact pressures and areas in the hip joint. They conducted two-dimensional plane strain finite element contact stress analyses were conducted of the acetabulum and proximal femur, with emphasis on the femoral side.
Unraveling Π 1 1 sets, revisited

We present a method of unraveling Π 1 1 sets which greatly simplifies the construction in Neeman [6]. Apart from adding elegance, this method is also useful for proofs of determinacy involving long games; see Neeman [5].
A simple, rapid, and sensitive DNA assay procedure.

Abstract A simple and rapid assay for quantitative determinations of DNA in crude homogenates is described. The method is based on the enhancement of fluorescence seen when bisbenzimidazole (Hoechst 33258) binds to DNA. Crude homogenates in which chromatin has been dissociated with high salt buffer can be assayed directly and reliably in a few minutes. The dissociation of chromatin is critical to accurate determinations of DNA in biological materials using this method. The assay can detect as little as 10 ng of DNA with rather unsophisticated instrumentation.
Periodic and aperiodic noise: The safety-signal hypothesis and noise aftereffects

Data from five previously published noise experiments were reanalyzed to test implications of Seligman’s safety-signal hypothesis. Spontaneous fluctuation (SF) of skin resistance, an index of emotional arousal, was measured during intervals between high-intensity noise trials. Two types of conditions were compared: Those where noise bursts occurred on an aperiodic schedule and those where they occurred periodically. The aperiodic group showed significantly more SFs than the periodic group, indicating that arousal was greater during exposure to an unpredictable stressor. However, there was no relationship between the magnitude of postnoise performance deficits and number of SFs, even though the deficits were uniformly greater following aperiodic noise than periodic noise. The discrepancy between the two sets of data was explained in terms of a cognitive process involving perception of lack of environmental control and decreased task motivation.
Closed Loop Power Control Using Third Order Quadratic Approximator

In this paper we introduce a novel bit error rate (BER) feedback transmit power control (TPC) system using a first-time third order quadratic approximation of the power–time curve. This approximation improves the power efficiency of a dual-rate TPC algorithm in terms of reduced total transmit power by smoothing transmit power transients during adaptive iterations. We show that the third order approximator outperforms linear and second order approximators in terms of transmit power savings, sensitivities, error magnitude, and better tracking performance in following reference desired power curves. For the approximator, we determine operational bounds for stability, and demonstrate algorithm behavior using critical valued inputs. In addition we demonstrate value in using a dynamic, rather than static, performance benchmark for quality of service approximation (obtained used scaled maximum acceptable BER), and provide heuristic estimates for the input parameters for the dynamic benchmark.
Development of cerebellar hypoplasia in jaundiced Gunn rats: a quantitative light microscopic analysis.

The homozygous (jj) Gunn rat provides a model for hyperbilirubinemia which includes prominent cerebellar hypoplasia. Development of the Gunn rat cerebellum was examined with and without the additional effects of elevating brain bilirubin concentration to still higher levels via sulfadimethoxine (sulfa) administration. Homozygous (jj) Gunn rats and heterozygous (Nj) littermate controls (n = 32 each) were given 100 mg/kg sulfa or saline at postnatal days 3, 7, 17, and 30, and most were sacrificed 24 h later (n = 4 for each genotype at each age). Cerebellar volume, total volume and cell number for each deep cerebellar nucleus, densities for Purkinje and granule cells in the cerebellar cortex of lobules II, VI and IX, and the density of vacuolated Purkinje cells were all measured quantitatively. Cytoplasmic vacuolation provided an indication of bilirubin toxicity and was never observed in the Nj control rats. Vacuolated Purkinje cells were first observed in jj-saline rats at 18 days and were found only in the more anterior lobules of the cerebellum (II and VI). By contrast, vacuolated Purkinje cells were observed in jj-sulfa rats at both 4 and 8 days, but only in the most posterior cerebellar lobule (IX). In all older jj rats, the decline in vacuolation was accompanied by significant necrosis and resorption of the Purkinje cells in the anterior lobules. Since the Purkinje cells in the posterior lobules are the first to differentiate in the cerebellum and are resistant to bilirubin toxicity in jj-saline rats, the results support the presence of a critical period when elevated brain bilirubin may be most toxic to neuronal development. The findings suggest that neurons undergoing differentiation at the time of bilirubin exposure are most susceptible to cell death, while cells that are slightly more or slightly less mature may show only transient changes.
TAPS: automatically preparing safe SQL queries

We present the first sound program transformation approach for automatically transforming the code of a legacy web application to employ PREPARE statements in place of unsafe SQL queries. Our approach therefore opens the way for eradicating the SQL injection threat vector from legacy web applications. This extended abstract is based on our paper[4] that appeared in the Financial Cryptography and Data Security (FC'2010) conference.
Expression of multidrug resistance efflux pump genes in clinical and environmental isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

Increased expression of multidrug resistance efflux pump (MDR-EP) genes in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus occurs frequently, but its temporal and geographic variability is unknown. Such strains may contaminate the hospital environment, posing an infection control problem. Nearly 700 clinical isolates from different geographic locales as well as 91 environmental isolates recovered from two Detroit hospitals were studied. Ethidium bromide (EtBr) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), quantitative expression of all characterised chromosomal MDR-EP genes, and the presence of qacA/B and smr were determined for all strains. In addition, for norA- and/or mepA-overexpressing strains, the spa type was established. MDR-EP gene overexpression varied temporally and geographically, and overexpressing strains were present in the hospital environment. Increased expression of norA was associated with meticillin resistance and spa type t002, a rare type among control strains, consistent with widespread dissemination of a norA-overexpressing, meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clone. Clonal spread also played a role for spa type t008, mepA-overexpressing, meticillin-susceptible strains. An EtBr MIC of ≤12.5 μg/mL was highly specific (>90%) in identifying strains lacking MDR-EP gene overexpression.
Low Prevalence of Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus Isolates among Connecticut Veterans

The Etest glycopeptide resistance detection identified two potential heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) isolates from a screen of 288 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from patients at a Connecticut Veterans Hospital. However, the two isolates did not meet the criteria for hVISA by the population analysis profile-area under the curve analysis, arguing against routine screening for hVISA in this low prevalence population.
Complexes of Gilman Reagents with C−S and C−N Double Bonds: σ or π Bonding?

Upon rapid injection, a variety of thiocarbonyl compounds react with the Gilman reagent Me(2)CuLi at -100 degrees C inside the probe of an NMR spectrometer to give high yields of complexes. Typical examples of substrates include carbon disulfide, methyl dithioacetate, methyl dithiobenzoate, thiobenzophenone, ethylene trithiocarbonate, and phenyl isothiocyanate. Evidence suggesting the formal oxidation state of copper in these complexes to be Cu(III) is presented. The last example was particularly interesting, since it involved a transient intermediate that was identified as a complex with a C-N double bond. Methyl isothiocyanate gave a stable C-N double-bond complex.