cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modification of lung cancer susceptibility by green tea extract as measured by the comet assay

Abstract Green tea is widely consumed throughout the world and is known to possess various beneficial properties that may affect carcinogen metabolism, free radical scavenging, or formation of DNA adducts. Therefore, it is plausible that green tea extract may modify BPDE-induced DNA damage. In this report, we utilized the comet assay to (1) evaluate BPDE-induced DNA damage as a potential marker of cancer susceptibility and (2) assess the ability of green tea to modify BPDE-induced DNA damage. DNA damage in individual comet cells was quantified by (1) visually measuring the proportion of cells exhibiting migration versus those without and (2) the length of damaged DNA migration (comet tail). We detected a dose-response between BDPE concentration and mean comet tail length in EBV-immortalized lymphoblastiod (lymphoid) cell lines. As the concentration of BPDE increased from 0.5 to 3μM, the length of the mean comet tail length increased proportionally in the 3590P (derived from a healthy subject) and 3640P (derived from a patient with head and neck cancer) cell lines. In separate experiments using lymphoid cells from 21 lung cancer cases and 12 healthy subjects, the mean comet tail length was significantly higher in the lung cancer cases (80.19±15.55) versus the healthy subjects (59.94±14.23) ( P P P P =0.21). These data suggest the modification of lung cancer susceptibility by the green tea extract. Similar results were observed for the percentage of induced comet cells and the statistical trends were similar for the 12 healthy subjects. This preliminary study demonstrated that the detection of BPDE-induced DNA damage via the comet assay may be a useful biologic marker of lung cancer susceptibility. The differential effects in BPDE-induced DNA damage between lung cancer cases and healthy subjects suggests predisposed cancer susceptibility to lung cancer risk. This reports also demonstrated the chemopreventive effects of green tea extract on BPDE-induced DNA damage. These observations provide further support for the application of the comet assay in molecular epidemiologic studies.
Superconducting behavior and chemistry of Pb0.3Bi1.8−xSbxSr1.9Ca2Cu3Oy

Abstract We have studied the effect of Sb substitution in single phase Pb-doped Bi2223 superconducting compounds. We do not find evidence for the existence of any superconducting transition above 110 K. The Sb solubility in the 2223 phase is below our detection limit and can not be increased by varying the firing conditions. Using the Mossbauer effect measurements we find that Sb is always near the + 5 oxidation state for samples prepared under oxidizing and mildly oxidizing conditions.
Mathematical Modeling of Passive Hydraulic Engine Mounts

Hydraulic engine mounts are widely used in automotive powertrain for vibration isolation. A lumped mechanical parameter model is a traditional approach for modeling and simulation of such mounts. This paper presents a mathematical model of passive hydraulic engine mounts with a double-chamber, an inertia track, a decoupler, and a plunger. The model is developed based on analogy between electrical systems and mechanical-hydraulic systems. The model is created to capture both the low and high frequency dynamic behavior of hydraulic mounts. The model will be further used to find the approximate pulse responses of the mounts in terms of the force transmission and top chamber pressure. The close form solution from the simplified linear model may provide some insight into the highly nonlinear behavior of the mounts. Various operational scenarios are also discussed.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
An oxidative entry into the amido trioxadecalin ring system.

The amido trioxadecalin ring system is a key structural component of the architecturally interesting anticancer and immunosuppressive agents of the mycalamide, theopederin, and onnamide families of...
Green Flourescent Protein: The green revolution

Green fluorescent protein allows gene expression and protein localization to be observed in living cells.
Comfort Measures: Practical Care of the Dying Cancer Patient:

Most patients with advanced malignancy will die of their disease. Care of the dying is therefore a fundamental skill for the oncologist. Although protocols exist in other countries, there is no established protocol in the United States. We present a protocol for management of the dying that is clinically useful and review the existing evidence-base.
Supercritical fluid extraction of kava lactones from Piper methysticum (kava) herb

Supercritical fluid extraction of kava lactones from Piper methysticum Forst. herb is described here. The extraction was performed with supercritical carbon dioxide alone and supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 15% ethanol, and the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Seven lactones including: 7,8-dihydrokavain; kavain; 5,6-dehydrokavain; 5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydroyangonin; dihydromethysticin; yangonin; and methysticin were the major constituents in the SFE extract.
Beyond the basics: Monitoring with a pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheter

Interpreting hemodynamic parameters requires both knowledge and practical experience. As emergency nurses care for more acutely ill patients during longer ED stays, an understanding of hemodynamic monitoring will be essential.
Implementation of sEMG-based real-time embedded adaptive finger force control for a prosthetic hand

This paper presents surface electromyographic (sEMG)-based, real-time Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) strategy for a prosthetic hand prototype. The proposed design is capable of decoding the prerecorded sEMG signal as well as the sensory force feedback from the sensors to control the force of the prosthetic hand prototype using a PIC 32MX360F512L microcontroller. The input sEMG signal is preprocessed using a Half-Gaussian filter and fed to a fusion based Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) skeletal muscle force model. This MISO system provides the estimated finger forces to be produced as input to the prosthetic hand prototype. A simple MRAC method along with a two stage embedded design is used for the force control of the prosthetic hand. The sensed force at the fingertip is fed back to the controller for real-time operation. The data is transmitted to the computer through an universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) interface of the proposed embedded design. Results show good performance in controlling the finger force as well as shortcomings of the mechanical design of the prosthetic hand prototype to be addressed in future.
Personality characteristics, mood, and coping patterns in a successful north pole expedition team

Abstract The personality and coping pattern characteristics of a successful North Pole Expedition team consisting of seven men and one woman were studied through psychometric inventories, mood scale ratings completed while on the trek to the North Pole, and for some a post-expedition personal interview. Good psychological adjustment was demonstrated by low stress reactivity, anxiety, and depression, and relatively high scores on scales measuring achievement orientation, selfcontrol, and feelings of well-being. There was little evidence of sensation-seeking or risk-taking tendencies. Planful problem solving and positive reappraisal were the major coping patterns engaged in on the expedition. Effective social support in this highly task oriented group did not seem to involve a great deal of sharing of personal feelings. The adaptive nature of the groups' personality and coping characteristics for completing a successful expedition was discussed.
Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Tial Based Alloys

Gamma TiAl based alloys and a TiAl/Ti5Si3 composite with nanocrystalline and submicrocrystalline structures were produced by mechanical alloying (MA’ing) and hot isostatic pressing (HIP’ing). MA’ing in a high-energy mixer mill led to severe plastic deformation and amorphization of the powder particles. The γ-TiAl alloys produced from the amorphous powders had a nanocrystalline structure. The grain size increased when the HIP temperature and time increased. Grain growth in the TiAl alloys during annealing for up to 800 hours in the temperature range of 725°C to 1200°C was studied. No effect of the Ti5Si3 phase particles on grain growth kinetics was found.
Advancements in the Analysis of the Arabidopsis Plasma Membrane Proteome

The plasma membrane (PM) regulates diverse processes essential to plant growth, development, and survival in an ever-changing environment. In addition to maintaining normal cellular homeostasis and plant nutrient status, PM proteins perceive and respond to a myriad of environmental cues. Here we review recent advances in the analysis of the plant PM proteome with a focus on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Due to membrane heterogeneity, hydrophobicity, and low relative abundance, analysis of the PM proteome has been a special challenge. Various experimental techniques to enrich PM proteins and different protein and peptide separation strategies have facilitated the identification of thousands of integral and membrane-associated proteins. Numerous classes of proteins are present at the PM with diverse biological functions. Plasma membrane microdomains have attracted much attention. However, it still remains a challenge to characterize these cell membrane compartments. Dynamic changes in the PM proteome in response to different biotic and abiotic stimuli are highlighted. Future prospects for PM proteomics research are also discussed.
Nanoengineering and interfacial engineering of photovoltaics by atomic layer deposition

Investment into photovoltaic (PV) research has accelerated over the past decade as concerns over energy security and carbon emissions have increased. The types of PV technology in which the research community is actively engaged are expanding as well. This review focuses on the burgeoning field of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for photovoltaics. ALD is a self-limiting thin film deposition technique that has demonstrated usefulness in virtually every sector of PV technology including silicon, thin film, tandem, organic, dye-sensitized, and next generation solar cells. Further, the specific applications are not limited. ALD films have been deposited on planar and nanostructured substrates and on inorganic and organic devices, and vary in thickness from a couple of angstroms to over 100 nm. The uses encompass absorber materials, buffer layers, passivating films, anti-recombination shells, and electrode modifiers. Within the last few years, the interest in ALD as a PV manufacturing technique has increased and the functions of ALD have expanded. ALD applications have yielded fundamental understanding of how devices operate and have led to increased efficiencies or to unique architectures for some technologies. This review also highlights new developments in high throughput ALD, which is necessary for commercialization. As the demands placed on materials for the next generation of PV become increasingly stringent, ALD will evolve into an even more important method for research and fabrication of solar cell devices.
myo-Inositol oxygenase: a radical new pathway for O2 and C–H activation at a nonheme diiron cluster

The enzyme myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) catalyzes conversion of myo-inositol (cyclohexan-1,2,3,5/4,6-hexa-ol or MI) to D-glucuronate (DG), initiating the only known pathway in humans for catabolism of the carbon skeleton of cell-signaling inositol (poly)phosphates and phosphoinositides. Recent kinetic, spectroscopic and crystallographic studies have shown that the enzyme activates its substrates, MI and O2, at a carboxylate-bridged nonheme diiron(II/III) cluster, making it the first of many known nonheme diiron oxygenases to employ the mixed-valent form of its cofactor. Evidence suggests that: (1) the Fe(III) site coordinates MI via its C1 and C6 hydroxyl groups; (2) the Fe(II) site reversibly coordinates O2 to produce a superoxo-diiron(III/III) intermediate; and (3) the pendant oxygen atom of the superoxide ligand abstracts hydrogen from C1 to initiate the unique C–C-bond-cleaving, four-electron oxidation reaction. This review recounts the studies leading to the recognition of the novel cofactor requirement and catalytic mechanism of MIOX and forecasts how remaining gaps in our understanding might be filled by additional experiments.
Experience and Utopia: The Making of Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward

Shortly after Julian West awakened to Edward Bellamy's utopian Boston of the year 2000, he was given his first look at the city by his host, Dr. Leete. West nearly fainted at the “ prodigious thing which had befallen me.” Still in a daze, he was asked by Dr. Leete what surprised him most about the new Boston. “ I really think,” West responded, “ that the complete absence of chimneys and their smoke is the detail that first impressed me.” The city, as Bellamy went on to describe it, was an affair of fine buildings set in “ inclosures.” There were “ large open squares filled with trees, among which statues glistened and fountains flashed.” Julian West could see the Charles River, a “ blue ribbon winding away to the sunset,” and to the east was the harbor, “ not one of its green islets missing.” West's initial notice of the absence of smokestacks, coupled with Bellamy's first (and almost his only) physical description of the city, pointed up one of the most striking facts about Boston in the year 2000. The new city was park-like, even pastoral, in character. The entire apparatus of industrialism was kept sedulously out of sight, and the landscape, both physical and social, had come to look quite pre-industrial.
"Universal Data Elements," or the Biopolitical Life of Homeless Populations

This article explores the development of the Homeless Management Information Systems program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Launched in 2001, the program mandates data collection by homeless social service agencies receiving federal funds. The program is examined in terms of broader responses to the "electronic turn" in social work. The generative capacities of database management systems are understood as producing surveillance at a register other than the individual subject often presumed in political theories of social control as well as surveillance studies of information technologies. The article argues that we must move toward an understanding of homeless management as a biopolitical enterprise, rather than only a disciplinary one. A discussion of how the HMIS program produces a homeless population as an object of knowledge and plane of intervention provides an understanding of the significance of HMIS for homelessness in the U.S. as well as for surveillance studies more broadly.
A Robust Object Segmentation System Using a Probability-Based Background Extraction Algorithm

A video-based monitoring system must be capable of continuous operation under various weather and illumination conditions. Moreover, background subtraction is a very important part of surveillance applications for successful segmentation of objects from video sequences, and the accuracy, computational complexity, and memory requirements of the initial background extraction are crucial in any background subtraction method. This paper proposes an algorithm to extract initial color backgrounds from surveillance videos using a probability-based background extraction algorithm. With the proposed algorithm, the initial background can be extracted accurately and quickly, while using relatively little memory. The intrusive objects can then be segmented quickly and correctly by a robust object segmentation algorithm. The segmentation algorithm analyzes the threshold values of the background subtraction from the prior frame to obtain good quality while minimizing execution time and maximizing detection accuracy. The color background images can be extracted efficiently and quickly from color image sequences and updated in real time to overcome any variation in illumination conditions. Experimental results for various environmental sequences and a quantitative evaluation are provided to demonstrate the robustness, accuracy, effectiveness, and memory economy of the proposed algorithm.
Probing 3′-ssDNA Loop Formation in E. coli RecBCD/RecBC–DNA Complexes Using Non-natural DNA: A Model for “Chi” Recognition Complexes

The equilibrium binding of Escherichia coli RecBC and RecBCD helicases to duplex DNA ends containing varying lengths of polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacers within pre-formed 3'-single-stranded (ss) DNA ((dT)n) tails was studied. These studies were designed to test a previous proposal that the 3'-(dT)n tail can be looped out upon binding RecBC and RecBCD for 3'-ssDNA tails with n>or=6 nucleotides. Equilibrium binding of protein to unlabeled DNA substrates with ends containing PEG-substituted 3'-ssDNA tails was examined by competition with a Cy3-labeled reference DNA which undergoes a Cy3 fluorescence enhancement upon protein binding. We find that the binding affinities of both RecBC and RecBCD for a DNA end are unaffected upon substituting PEG for the ssDNA between the sixth and the final two nucleotides of the 3'-(dT)n tail. However, placing PEG at the end of the 3'-(dT)n tail increases the binding affinities to their maximum values (i.e. the same as binding constants for RecBC or RecBCD to a DNA end with only a 3'-(dT)6 tail). Equilibrium binding studies of a RecBC mutant containing a nuclease domain deletion, RecB(Deltanuc)C, suggest that looping of the 3'-tail (when n>or=6 nucleotides) occurs even in the absence of the RecB nuclease domain, although the nuclease domain stabilizes such loop formation. Computer modeling of the RecBCD-DNA complexes suggests that the loop in the 3'-ssDNA tail may form at the RecB/RecC interface. Based on these results we suggest a model for how a loop in the 3'-ssDNA tail might form upon encounter of a "Chi" recognition sequence during unwinding of DNA by the RecBCD helicase.
Treatment design of radio frequency heating based on insect control and product quality

Non-uniform heating caused by different size, geometry, and properties of agricultural commodities is a major challenge that needs to be addressed in developing industrial-scale radio frequency (RF) treatments for postharvest phytosanitary and quarantine applications to dry grains or nuts. A mathematical model based on normal distributions of product temperatures and taking into account insect thermal mortality and product quality was developed to predict treatment temperature–time ranges as a function of number of mixing. To demonstrate its applications, this model considered two boundary conditions: complete mortality of fifth-instar navel orangeworm with temperature–time relationships (46, 48, 50, 52, and 54 ◦C for 140, 50, 15, 6, and 1 min, respectively), and maximum temperature tolerance relationship for walnut quality (53, 69, and 75 ◦C for 240, 5, and 1 min, respectively). This model was validated by experimental data of the uniformity index and applied to walnut, soybean, lentil, and wheat, each with its own unique RF heating characteristics. The results showed that the operation ranges (temperature–time combinations) for effective control of pests without causing adverse quality changes expanded with increasing mixing number and the improved heating uniformity. This study suggested more flexibility in developing RF treatments of pest control for small-size crops with better heating uniformity, as compared to large-size crops.
Novel approaches to female sexual dysfunction.

Female sexual dysfunction is age-related, progressive and highly prevalent, affecting 30 - 50% of American women. While there are emotional and relational elements to sexual function, it has become increasingly evident that female sexual dysfunction can occur secondary to medical problems and has an organic basis. A plethora of different female sexual dysfunctions exist and in order to obtain a greater understanding of the possible treatments for these problems, it is essential to have a strong knowledge base of female pelvic anatomy, the neurogenic mediators of female sexual response, the impact of hormones on female sexual function and the aetiologies of female sexual dysfunction. Currently, there are potential therapeutic options for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction and these options include both hormonal and pharmacological therapy. However, therapeutic agents may not prove to be enough and the ideal approach to female sexual dysfunction is thus a collaborative effort between therapists and ...
Genetic and teratogenic approaches to craniofacial development.

Craniofacial malformations are the most common birth defects that occur in humans, with facial clefting representing the majority of these defects. Facial clefts can arise at any stage of development due to perturbations that alter the extracellular matrix as well as affect the patterning, migration, proliferation, and differentiation of cells. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the understanding of the developmental basis for facial clefting through the analysis of the effects of gene disruption experiments and treatments with teratogens in both chickens and mice. Specifically, we analyze the results of disruptions to genes such as Sonic hedgehog (Shh), epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR), Distal-less (Dlx), and transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3). We also describe the effects that teratogens such as retinoic acid, jervine, and cyclopamine have on facial clefting and discuss mechanisms for their action. In addition to providing insight into the bases for abnormal craniofacial growt...
Visual information as a conversational resource in collaborative physical tasks

In this article we consider the ways in which visual information is used as a conversational resource in the accomplishment of collaborative physical tasks. We focus on the role of visual information in maintaining task awareness and in achieving mutual understanding in conversation. We first describe the theoretical framework we use to analyze the role of visual information in physical collaboration. Then, we present two experiments that vary the amount and quality of the visual information available to participants during a collaborative bicycle repair task. We examine the effects of this visual information on performance and on conversational strategies. We conclude with a general discussion of how situational awareness and conversational grounding are achieved in collaborative tasks and with some design considerations for systems to support remote collaborative repair.
A Mathematical Theory of the Transmission of Successive Impulses Through A Muscle

(1930). A Mathematical Theory of the Transmission of Successive Impulses Through A Muscle. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 219-224.
Distributed-Roughness-Induced Transient Growth in a Flat Plate Boundary Layer

Surface roughness affects boundary layer transition in several ways, including acting as a receptivity mechanism for transient growth. Several experiments have measured transient growth created by discrete roughness elements; however, very few experiments have studied transient growth initiated by distributed surface roughness. In the present work, transient growth created by streamwise-extended patches of randomly distributed, subcritical surface roughness is measured in a Blasius boundary layer. A deterministic roughness surface was manufactured using rapid prototyping, and detailed measurements of the roughness wake were made using hotwire anemometry. The distributed roughness creates disturbances at multiple spanwise wavelengths that undergo transient growth. These experiments lay the ground work for examining the “shielding” effect, wherein the presence of smaller amplitude distributed roughness may decrease the strength of roughness wakes created by larger roughness peaks.
Flow Structures Generated by Oscillating Fences in Boundary Layer Flows

An experimental study of the flow structures generated by stationary and oscillating fences in laminar boundary layer flows is reported. Flow visualization in a water tow -tank was used. The central objective of the study was to identify and classify the various flow regimes that are observed for this flow situation. Wit hin the parameter range of the experimental system, the flows past the fence consisted of periodically shed vortical
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE MOREL. I. HETEROKARYON FORMATION BETWEEN MONOASCOSPOROUS STRAINS OF MORCHELLA

Three lines of evidence are reported for heterokaryon formation in Morchella esculenta and related species. Cultural studies demonstrated a genetic basis for different types of interactions between mycelia from sister and non-sister spores. Cytological studies of the mycelial interaction between non-sister monoascosporous isolates demonstrated nuclear pairing in presumptive heterokaryons. Two different mutations isolated in this study were used to show genetic complementation in these heterokaryons.
Wide-field quantitative imaging of intrinsic scatter bio-markers using sub-diffusive structured light

Sub-diffusive structured light imaging can quantitate the density of scatterers versus their size scale distribution in a wide-field geometry. Phantoms with unique fractal distributions and n=22 fresh human breast specimens are imaged and analyzed.
The study of air purifing effects of the vehicle-inner cleaner

Objective To understand vehicle being loaded with the fresh bar purification effect to vehicle inner air mass.Methods To adopt the modern saloon of Beijing to test vehicle as the scene,creates the queen who contaminates thickness,opens the air cleaner travel within vehicle,time gives a test and takes sample according to diversity.Results The benzene purification rate is 89.06%;The formaldehyde purification rate is 90.00%;The inhalable particulate matter purification rate is 86.52%;Sterilize rate is 63.33%.Conclusions Vehicle have certain purification effect to vehicle inner air pollutants with fresh bar.
Can Encephalitozoon cuniculi cross the placenta

Laboratory rabbits and mice were challenged with Encephalitozoon cuniculi at three different stages of gestation to determine whether the parasite crosses the placenta. No transplacental transmission could be demonstrated.
Teletriage for provision of dermatologic care: a pilot program in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Background:The scarcity of dermatologists has prompted the creation of innovative methods for delivering dermatologic care.Methods:Teletriage is a method used in teledermatology to efficiently asse...
In Praise of Moral Judgment: The Restatement (Third) of Torts and Flagrant 'Bad Guy' Trespassers

In this Article, Professor Cupp argues that the Restatement (Third) of Torts’s creativity in addressing duty toward intentional, morally culpable trespassers is both appropriate and helpful for at least two reasons. First, jurisdictions’ approaches to assessing potential liability for injuries to intentional and morally culpable trespassers are untidy and divided. Thus, seeking to articulate a clear dominant rule would be problematic. Second, this unique category of tort claims has a highly disproportionate impact on public acceptance of the civil justice system. How these cases are adjudicated influences much more than the limited number of cases involving tort lawsuits by intentional, morally culpable trespassers. Because of the public’s perception of this subject of tort claims as emblematic of perceived problems with the broader civil justice system, this is an area in which thoughtful leadership by the ALI is particularly important.Professor Cupp then examines two torts cases involving injuries to trespassers that were heavily influential on the development of the Restatement (Third) of Torts's position on this issue. The first is the 1971 Iowa case of Katko v. Briney. The second is the mid-1980s California case of Bodine v. Enterprise High School, which prompted changes to the California Civil Code that effectively eliminated tort liability for land possessors when a criminal trespassers are injured on their property. He concludes by exploring the impact of the use of specific language, such as the word "flagrant," in the Restatement (Third) of Torts when describing criminal trespassers.
Advances in Nanomedicine for Head and Neck Cancer

Nanomedicine represents an emerging and innovative field, which can potentially improve the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer. At the nanoscale, some elements demonstrate unique properties that are not observed in their bulk entity, such as paramagnetism and surface plasmon resonance. Engineering nanostructures with precise control of size, shape, and surface functionalities at a size range well matched to work at the cellular level, which have large surface to volume ratio (for drug loading), apparent biocompatibility, possible in vivo targetability, combined with their physical properties, is paving the way for novel treatments and diagnostic procedures in the field of nanomedicine and oncology. Innovative nanotechnology-based diagnostic imaging procedures, drug delivery techniques, and novel treatment modalities are under development. In this chapter we introduce key concepts of nanotechnology-based cancer research along with recent innovations with potential to address head and neck cancer.
Investigational agents for the management of Huntington's disease.

Introduction: An inherited, chronic progressive, neurodegenerative disorder is Huntington’s disease, characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. Predictive genetic testing allows e...
Assessment of gait and sensorimotor deficits in the D1CT-7 mouse model of Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple motor and phonic tics. While TS patients have been also shown to exhibit subtle abnormalities of sensorimotor integration and gait, animal models of this disorder are seldom tested for these functions. To fill this gap, we assessed gait and sensorimotor integration in the D1CT-7 mouse, one of the best-validated animal models of TS. D1CT-7 mice exhibit spontaneous tic-like manifestations, which, in line with the clinical phenomenology of TS, are markedly exacerbated by environmental stress. Thus, to verify whether stress may affect sensorimotor integration and gait functions in D1CT-7 mice, we subjected these animals to a 20-min session of spatial confinement, an environmental stressor that was recently shown to worsen tic-like manifestations. Immediately following this manipulation (or no confinement, for controls), animals were subjected to either the sticky-tape task, to test for sensorimotor integration; or a 60-min session in an open field (42×42cm) force-plate actometer for gait analysis. Gait analyses included spatial, temporal, and dynamic (force) parameters. D1CT-7 mice displayed a longer latency to remove a sticky tape, indicating marked impairments in sensorimotor integration; furthermore, these mutants exhibited shortened stride length, increased stride rate, nearly equal early-phase velocity, and higher late-phase velocity. D1CT-7 mice also ran with greater force amplitude than wild-type (WT) littermates. None of these phenotypes was worsened by spatial confinement. These results highlight the potential importance of testing sensorimotor integration and gait functions as a phenotypic correlate of cortical connectivity deficits in animal models of TS.
Cardiometabolic risk factors and MyChart enrollment among adult patients

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between MyChart and cardiometabolic risk factors (i.e., body mass index [BMI], blood pressure [BP], and smoking status) among adult patients. We assessed whether activated MyChart account status and number of MyChart logins differed based on cardiometabolic risk factors, above and beyond demographic covariates. Methods This study was an electronic medical record review of 137,837 adult patients who were seen during June 2014–June 2015 at all ambulatory outpatient facilities in one large, Midwestern healthcare system. We performed multivariable logistic and multiple linear regression analyses. Results Of patients, 25.8% had an active MyChart account status. Multivariable regression analyses indicated that overweight patients were 5.0% more likely (OR=1.05, CI=[1.01, 1.08]) to have an active account compared to normal weight counterparts, but patients with hypertension were 18.0% less likely (OR=0.82, CI=[0.79, 0.85]) to have an active account compared to those with normal BP. Former smokers were 54.0% less likely (OR=0.46, CI=[0.44, 0.48]) to have an activate account compared to patients who never smoked. Multiple linear regression results indicated obesity ( b = 2.65) and active smoking ( b = 5.10) positively affected the number of MyChart logins, whereas pre-hypertensive BP negatively affected the number of MyChart account logins ( b = -1.20). Conclusions Healthcare organizations and employees should consider these findings when developing strategies for MyChart enrollment and utilization. Future research should compare system implementation, patient care quality, and financial efficiency of MyChart between healthcare organizations of similar structural makeup and geographic locations.
Cellular Microbiaxial Stretching to Measure a Single-Cell Strain Energy Density Function

The stress in a cell due to extracellular mechanical stimulus is determined by its mechanical properties, and the structural organization of many adherent cells suggests that their properties are anisotropic. This anisotropy may significantly influence the cells' mechanotransductive response to complex loads, and has important implications for development of accurate models of tissue biomechanics. Standard methods for measuring cellular mechanics report linear moduli that cannot capture large-deformation anisotropic properties, which in a continuum mechanics framework are best described by a strain energy density function (SED). In tissues, the SED is most robustly measured using biaxial testing. Here, we describe a cellular microbiaxial stretching (CμBS) method that modifies this tissue-scale approach to measure the anisotropic elastic behavior of individual vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with nativelike cytoarchitecture. Using CμBS, we reveal that VSMCs are highly anisotropic under large deformations. We then characterize a Holzapfel-Gasser-Ogden type SED for individual VSMCs and find that architecture-dependent properties of the cells can be robustly described using a formulation solely based on the organization of their actin cytoskeleton. These results suggest that cellular anisotropy should be considered when developing biomechanical models, and could play an important role in cellular mechano-adaptation.
Investigating phase formations in cast AlFeCoNiCu high entropy alloys by combination of computational modeling and experiments

Abstract Selection and thermal stability of phases are important in design of high entropy alloys (HEA). In this study, phase formations in cast AlFeCoNiCu HEA were investigated. Ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations were used to determine crystal structures of phases at different temperatures in equiatomic composition of AlFeCoNiCu. The AIMD results showed a possible coexistence of a face-centered cubic (fcc) phase and a body-centered cubic (bcc) phase at the room temperature and indicated stabilization of a single fcc phase above 1070 K at the equiatomic composition of AlFeCoNiCu. The phase diagrams of AlFeCoNiCu system were calculated using a modified thermodynamic approach based on CALPHAD and Muggianu's methods. The calculated phase diagrams showed formation of the same two phases at the room temperature, and a phase transformation at about 1010 K to form a single fcc phase. The characterization experiments utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) confirmed the crystal structures and composition of phases determined by AIMD simulations and phase diagram calculations. High temperature XRD (HTXRD) analysis showed a significant increase in weight fraction of the fcc phase at high temperatures confirming the predicted phase transformation.
Dynamic regulation of lysine acetylation: the balance between acetyltransferase and deacetylase activities.

Reversible posttranslational modification of proteins is a critically important process in physiological regulation in all tissues, including the kidney. Lysine acetylation occurs in all organisms, including prokaryotes, and is regulated by a balance between the lysine acetyltransferases (adding an acetyl group to the e-amino group of a lysine) and deacetylases (removing it). The kidney is an organ rich with acetylated lysines, which map to >2,000 unique histone and nonhistone proteins. However, the functional significance of these modifications remains to be discovered. Here, we have compiled gene lists of the acetyltransferases and deacetylases in the mammalian genomes and mapped their mRNA expression along the renal tubule. These lists will be useful for generating targeted approaches to test the physiological or pathophysiological significance of lysine acetylation changes in the kidney.
Defect Genome of Cubic Perovskites for Fuel Cell Applications

Heterogeneities such as point defects, inherent to material systems, can profoundly influence material functionalities critical for numerous energy applications. This influence in principle can be identified and quantified through development of large defect data sets which we call the defect genome, employing high-throughput ab initio calculations. However, high-throughput screening of material models with point defects dramatically increases the computational complexity and chemical search space, creating major impediments toward developing a defect genome. In this work, we overcome these impediments by employing computationally tractable ab initio models driven by highly scalable workflows, to study formation and interaction of various point defects (e.g., O vacancies, H interstitials, and Y substitutional dopant), in over 80 cubic perovskites, for potential proton-conducting ceramic fuel cell (PCFC) applications. The resulting defect data sets identify several promising perovskite compounds that can e...
Generalized partial orders for polar code bit-channels

We study partial orders (POs) for the synthesized bit-channels of polar codes. First, we consider complementary bit-channel pairs whose Bhattacharyya parameters over the binary erasure channel (BEC) exhibit a symmetry property and provide insight into the alignment of polarized sets of bit-channels for the BEC and general binary-input memo-ryless symmetric (BMS) channels. Next, we give an alternative proof of a recently presented PO for bit-channels and use the underlying idea to extend the bit-channel ordering to some additional cases. In particular, the bit-channel ordering for a given code block-length is used to generate additional bit-channel ordering relationships for larger block-lengths, generalizing previously known POs. Examples are provided to illustrate the new POs.
Do textbooks address known learning challenges in area measurement? A comparative analysis

This study compared area lessons from Korean textbooks and US standard-based textbooks to understand differences and similarities among these textbooks, as well as how these textbooks address known learning challenges in area measurement. Several well-known challenges have been identified in previous studies, such as covering, array structure, and linking array structure to area formula. We were interested in knowing if textbooks addressed these issues in their treatments of area measurement and, in doing so, provided students with opportunities to overcome or become familiar with known challenges. The results show that both countries’ textbooks demonstrated similar limitations; only few area and area-related lessons are covered and three important learning challenges in area measurement are not covered well, which need to be informed to practicing teachers.
Hierarchical hyperdimensional computing for energy efficient classification

Brain-inspired Hyperdimensional (HD) computing emulates cognition tasks by computing with hypervectors rather than traditional numerical values. In HD, an encoder maps inputs to high dimensional vectors (hypervectors) and combines them to generate a model for each existing class. During inference, HD performs the task of reasoning by looking for similarities of the input hypervector and each pre-stored class hypervector However, there is not a unique encoding in HD which can perfectly map inputs to hypervectors. This results in low HD classification accuracy over complex tasks such as speech recognition. In this paper we propose MHD, a multi-encoder hierarchical classifier, which enables HD to take full advantages of multiple encoders without increasing the cost of classification. MHD consists of two HD stages: a main stage and a decider stage. The main stage makes use of multiple classifiers with different encoders to classify a wide range of input data. Each classifier in the main stage can trade between efficiency and accuracy by dynamically varying the hypervectors' dimensions. The decider stage, located before the main stage, learns the difficulty of the input data and selects an encoder within the main stage that will provide the maximum accuracy, while also maximizing the efficiency of the classification task. We test the accuracy/efficiency of the proposed MHD on speech recognition application. Our evaluation shows that MHD can provide a 6.6× improvement in energy efficiency and a 6.3× speedup, as compared to baseline single level HD.
Performance of polymer-steel bi-layers under blast

We present results from our numerical simulation of the dynamic response and deformation of 1m diameter circular DH-36 steel plates and DH-36 steel-polyurea bi-layers, subjected to blast loads. Different thicknesses of polyurea are considered, and the effect of polyurea thickness on the performance of steel plates under blast loads is investigated. For each polyurea thickness, we have simulated three cases: 1) polyurea cast on front face (loading face); 2) polyurea cast on back face; and 3) no polyurea, but an increase in steel-plate thickness such that the areal density remains the same in all three cases. Two types of loading are applied to the polyurea-steel system: (1) Direct application of pressure on the bi-layer system, (2) Application of pressure through a separate medium (polyurethane or water).
Combinatorics: Set Systems, Hypergraphs, Families of Vectors and Combinatorial Probability

Frontispiece Preface 1. Notation 2. Representing sets 3. Sperner systems 4. The Littlewood - Offord problem 5. Shadows 6. Random sets 7. Intersecting hypergraphs 8. The Turan problem 9. Saturated hypergraphs 10. Well-separated systems 11. Helly families 12. Hypergraphs with a given number of disjoint edges 13. Intersecting families 14. Factorizing complete hypergraphs 15. Weakly saturated hypergraphs 16. Isoperimetric problems 17. The trace of a set system 18. Partitioning sets of vectors 19. The four functions theorem 20. Infinite ramsey theory References Index.
All-Optical Networks: A System’s Perspective

We consider low-complexity, all-optical multi-stage networks with distributed arbitration achieved through minimal per-node buffering. To enhance the saturation throughput of such networks while maintaining low latency at low loads, we examine a novel combination of deterministic (prescheduled) and speculative (eager) packet injections. Prescheduled injections are performed in a time-division-multiplexing (TDM) manner, whereas eager injections follow a packet multiplexing paradigm. Prescheduled injections, on the one hand, aim at reducing contention in the fabric, and sustain network throughput when the load is high. Eager injections, on the other hand, ignore the TDM schedule, thus allowing low-latency communication when contention is low. The rules that govern the interaction between prescheduled and eager packets allow eager packets to be dropped intentionally when they block the progress of prescheduled ones. At the same time, a highly efficient end-to-end reliable delivery scheme, implemented at the network interfaces, deals with packet losses in the optical domain and also recovers the dropped eager packets. Computer simulations demonstrate that our approach can render low-complexity networks, which are amenable to an all-optical implementation, attractive for use in computer interconnects.
Interfacing the Del Mar Avionics Model 1978 PIII system with the Apple IIe computer

Permanent data storage and retrieval and also data analysis have been areas of concern for many users of the Del Mar Avionics Model 1978 Pressurometer. Unless the user has the Del Mar Avionics Model 1981 Pressurometer Data Analysis System available, all data handling is done manually. Storage of the data without the 1981 Analysis System is by hard copy only.
Reliability and validity of the Sway Balance mobile application for measurement of postural sway in people with Parkinson disease

BACKGROUND The emergence of mobile technology allows the examination of balance through direct measures of postural sway in a cost-effective, convenient and portable fashion. However, there is insufficient evidence for use in populations with neurologic conditions. OBJECTIVES 1) To determine the test-retest reliability of the Sway Balance™ mobile application in measuring postural sway in individuals with Parkinson disease, 2) To examine the concurrent validity of Sway Balance™ with inertial measurement units and 3) To determine if Sway Balance™ scores can predict disease severity. METHODS Thirty subjects with early stage idiopathic Parkinson disease completed three trials of two Sway Balance™ protocols while postural sway was simultaneously measured by two inertial measurement units and Sway Balance™, then repeated testing one week later. RESULTS Sway Balance demonstrated high test-retest reliability for both protocols (ICC = 0.72 and 0.92) and good to excellent inverse correlation with the inertial measurement units across both protocols (ρ= -0.61- -0.92; p < 0.001). Sway Balance™ did not accurately predict disease severity. CONCLUSION Sway Balance™ demonstrates strong test-retest reliability and concurrent validity with measures from inertial measurement units. Questions remain regarding the ability of Sway Balance™ to accurately characterize balance of individuals who demonstrate difficulty maintaining the test condition.
Residential zoning and near-roadway air pollution: An analysis of Los Angeles

Abstract Air pollution from motor vehicles harms the health of those who live near freeways and other high-traffic roads. Land use regulations may permit, prohibit, or impose special conditions on housing near major roadways. This paper answers two questions: First, how is residential development near major roadways regulated? Second, how common are zoning changes near major roadways, and what factors explain these changes? This paper compares the zoning designations of near-roadway parcels with others in the city, and uses two sets of logistic regression models to analyze near-roadway zoning. The results show that residential development is permitted on most near-roadway parcels, including more than 92% of those within 500 feet of a freeway. One of the main explanations is that Los Angeles’s hierarchical zoning structure allows housing development in most commercial zones. While many of these parcels have commercial development today, they could be redeveloped for residential uses in the future. Larger shares of near-roadway parcels were upzoned to allow higher residential densities compared with parcels elsewhere in the city, but this difference is explained by other locational factors.