cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallel programming of gradient-based iterative image reconstruction schemes for optical tomography

Optical tomography (OT) is a fast developing novel imaging modality that uses near-infrared (NIR) light to obtain cross-sectional views of optical properties inside the human body. A major challenge remains the time-consuming, computational-intensive image reconstruction problem that converts NIR transmission measurements into cross-sectional images. To increase the speed of iterative image reconstruction schemes that are commonly applied for OT, we have developed and implemented several parallel algorithms on a cluster of workstations. Static process distribution as well as dynamic load balancing schemes suitable for heterogeneous clusters and varying machine performances are introduced and tested. The resulting algorithms are shown to accelerate the reconstruction process to various degrees, substantially reducing the computation times for clinically relevant problems.
Nanocomposites of poly(vinylidene fluoride) with organically modified silicate

Abstract We report a study of the impact of cold crystallization on the structure of nanocomposites comprising poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and Lucentite STN™ organically modified silicate (OMS). Nanocomposites were prepared from solution over a very wide composition range, from 0.01 to 20% OMS by weight. Thermal preparation involved cold crystallization at 145 °C of quenched, compression-molded plaques. Static and real-time wide and small angle X-ray scattering (WAXS, SAXS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the crystalline phase of PVDF. For OMS content greater than 0.50 wt%, WAXS studies show that that the silicate gallery spacing increases modestly in the nanocomposites compared to neat OMS film, indicating a level of polymer intercalation. Using Gaussian peak fitting of WAXS profiles, we determine that the composition range can be divided into three parts. First, for OMS greater than 0.5 wt%, alpha phase fraction, ϕalpha, is insignificant (ϕalpha∼0–0.01). Second, at the intermediate range, for OMS between 0.5 wt% down to 0.025 wt%, beta phase dominates and the beta fraction, ϕbeta, is related to alpha by ϕbeta>ϕalpha. Third, below 0.025 wt% OMS, alpha dominates and ϕalpha>ϕbeta. The ability of small amounts of OMS (≥0.025 wt%) to cause beta crystal domination is remarkable. Overall, crystallinity index (from the ratio of WAXS crystal peak area to total area) ranges from about 0.36 to 0.51 after cold crystallization. Real-time WAXS studies during heating of initially cold crystallized nanocomposites show that there is no inter-conversion between the alpha and beta phase PVDF crystals, where these crystals coexist at room temperature. While all samples showed a strong SAXS Bragg peak, indicating existence of two-phase lamellar stacks, the sample containing predominantly beta phase had poorly correlated lamellar stacks, compared to samples containing predominantly alpha phase.
Producers Lose: The Relative Percentage Reductions in Surplus Due to an AD Valorem Commodity Tax:

In traditional studies, focusing on price effects, changes in demand and cost parameters cause a tax's incidence to shift between producers and consumers. Recent incidence results focus on changes in producer and consumer surpluses; they show that with linear demand and marginal cost, a specific commodity tax causes each surplus to fall by the same percentage. This note shows that imposing an ad valorem tax on a noncompetitive market (again assuming linearity) always causes producer surplus to fall by a larger percentage than does consumer surplus. As the tax rate rises, the percentage reductions in surplus move toward equality.
Efficient haplotype inference from pedigrees with missing data using linear systems with disjoint-set data structures.

We study the haplotype inference problem from pedigree data under the zero recombination assumption, which is well supported by real data for tightly linked markers (i.e., single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)) over a relatively large chromosome segment. We solve the problem in a rigorous mathematical manner by formulating genotype constraints as a linear system of inheritance variables. We then utilize disjoint-set structures to encode connectivity information among individuals, to detect constraints from genotypes, and to check consistency of constraints. On a tree pedigree without missing data, our algorithm can output a general solution as well as the number of total speciflc solutions in a nearly linear time O(mn ¢ fi(n)), where m is the number of loci, n is the number of individuals and fi is the inverse Ackermann function 15 , which is a further improvement over existing ones 10;11;12;13 . We also extend the idea to looped pedigrees and pedigrees with missing data by considering existing (partial) constraints on inheritance variables. The algorithm has been implemented in C++ and will be incorporated into our PedPhase package 11 . Experimental results show that it can correctly identify all 0-recombinant solutions with great e‐ciency. Comparisons with other two popular algorithms show that the proposed algorithm achieves 10 to 10 5 -fold improvements over a variety of parameter settings. The experimental study also provides empirical evidences on the complexity bounds suggested by theoretical analysis.
Search for oncogene mutations in X-ray-transformed mouse 10T1/2 cells by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis blotting.

We have sought evidence for possible mutations within the c-myc, c-Ha-ras and c-Ki-ras loci of X-ray-transformed mouse C3H10T1/2 cell clones using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) blot technique. This highly sensitive method was developed to detect any mutations (e.g. single base changes, small deletions) in genomic DNA, by measuring differences in the melting behaviour of short DNA fragments (50-800 bp) obtained by digestion of genomic DNA with several specific 4 bp recognition site restriction enzymes. In this study, genomic DNAs derived from 23 X-ray-transformed clones were digested with several restriction enzymes, electrophorezed on denaturing gradient gel and hybridized to c-myc, c-Ha-ras and c-Ki-ras cDNA probes. No alterations in melting patterns were observed for any of these oncogenes as compared with DNA from 18 control, non-irradiated wild-type 10T1/2 cell clones, suggesting that transformation was not associated with mutation of these genes nor with changes in their patterns of methylation. However, our screening of the large portion of exons 2 and 3 of c-myc as well as of exons 1 and 2 of c-Ha-ras gene cannot exclude the possibility that some sequence differences in the high melting domains of examined fragments were not detected by this assay.
The Effect of Leaf-Level Spatial Variability in Photosynthetic Capacity on Biochemical Parameter Estimates Using the Farquhar Model: A Theoretical Analysis

Application of the widely used Farquhar model of photosynthesis in interpretation of gas exchange data assumes that photosynthetic properties are homogeneous throughout the leaf. Previous studies showed that heterogeneity in stomatal conductance (g(s)) across a leaf could affect the shape of the measured leaf photosynthetic CO(2) uptake rate (A) versus intercellular CO(2) concentration (C(i)) response curve and, in turn, estimation of the critical biochemical parameters of this model. These are the maximum rates of carboxylation (V(c,max)), whole-chain electron transport (J(max)), and triose-P utilization (V(TPU)). The effects of spatial variation in V(c,max,) J(max), and V(TPU) on estimation of leaf averages of these parameters from A-C(i) curves measured on a whole leaf have not been investigated. A mathematical model incorporating defined degrees of spatial variability in V(c,max) and J(max) was constructed. One hundred and ten theoretical leaves were simulated, each with the same average V(c,max) and J(max), but different coefficients of variation of the mean (CV(VJ)) and varying correlation between V(c,max) and J(max) (Omega). Additionally, the interaction of variation in V(c,max) and J(max) with heterogeneity in V(TPU), g(s), and light gradients within the leaf was also investigated. Transition from V(c,max)- to J(max)-limited photosynthesis in the A-C(i) curve was smooth in the most heterogeneous leaves, in contrast to a distinct inflection in the absence of heterogeneity. Spatial variability had little effect on the accuracy of estimation of V(c,max) and J(max) from A-C(i) curves when the two varied in concert (Omega = 1.0), but resulted in underestimation of both parameters when they varied independently (up to 12.5% in V(c,max) and 17.7% in J(max) at CV(VJ) = 50%; Omega = 0.3). Heterogeneity in V(TPU) also significantly affected parameter estimates, but effects of heterogeneity in g(s) or light gradients were comparatively small. If V(c,max) and J(max) derived from such heterogeneous leaves are used in models to project leaf photosynthesis, actual A is overestimated by up to 12% at the transition between V(c,max)- and J(max)-limited photosynthesis. This could have implications for both crop production and Earth system models, including projections of the effects of atmospheric change.
Low-energy impedance-compensating biphasic waveforms terminate ventricular fibrillation at high rates in victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Biphasic Waveform Defibrillation. Introduction: New automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), which are smaller, lighter, easier to use, and less costly make the goal of widespread AED deployment and early defibrillation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest feasible. The objective of this study was to observe the performance of a low-energy impedance-compensating biphasic waveform in the out-of-hospital setting on 100 consecutive victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Methods and Results: AEDs incorporating a 150-J impedance-compensating biphasic waveform were used by 12 EMS systems. Data were obtained from the AED PC card reporting system. Defibrillation was defined as conversion to an organized rhythm or to asystole. Endpoints included: defibrillation efficacy for ventricular fibrillation (VE); restoration of an organized rhythm at the time of patient transfer to an advanced life support (ALS) team or to the emergency department (ED); and time from AED power-on to first defibrillation. The AED correctly identified 44 of 100 patients presenting in VE as requiring a shock (100% sensitivity) and 56 of 100 patients not in VF as not requiring a shock (100% specificity). The time from 911 call to first shock delivery averaged 8.1 ± 3.0 minutes. A single 150-J biphasic shock defibrillated the initial VE episode in 39 of 44 (89%) patients. The average time from power-on to first defibrillation was 25 ± 17 seconds. At patient transfer to ALS or ED care, an organized rhythm was present in 34 of 44 (77%) patients presenting with VF. Asystole was present in 7 (16%) and VE in 3 (7%). Conclusions: Low-energy impedance-compensating biphasic waveforms terminate long-duration VE at high rates in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Use of this waveform allows AED device characteristics consistent with widespread AED deployment and early defibrillation.
Electroluminescent colloidal inks for flexographic roll-to-roll printing

The academic and commercial interest in organic light-emitting devices is motivated in part by the potential of building devices utilizing simple and inexpensive fabrication routes, for example, commercial printing techniques. The focus on synthetically challenging small molecules and π-conjugated polymers for these devices is countered by the alternative of developing emissive materials that utilize an electroluminescent dye embedded in a hole and electron transporting host. In this effort, we exploit readily obtainable materials and simple fabrication routes to produce light-emitting colloidal particles, which in turn allows us to invoke the concept of a “particle device”. Specifically, we present colloidally based organic light emitting devices that can be designed to produce a range of colors by mixing together various ratios of red-, green-, and blue-emitting particles. These aqueous-based colloids are adaptable to form printing inks and may be utilized in fabricating devices through high-throughput commercial printing technologies.
Safety and tolerability of phase I/II clinical trials among older and younger patients with acute myelogenous leukemia

Abstract Objectives Remission rates and survival remain limited for the majority of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Therefore, clinical trials with novel investigational strategies could be considered for these patients. We sought to evaluate the influence of age on outcome defined by survival and toxicity of 121 patients (range 28–82 years) with high-risk, relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia [ECOG PS 0–3] who were enrolled on four consecutive phase I/II clinical trials between 1994 and 2008 conducted at two institutions. Materials and methods 75/121 (62%) of the patients enrolled were ≥ 60 years old. Treatment included phase I topotecan and etoposide (23 patients); phase I fludarabine, carboplatin, and topotecan (FCT) (27 patients); phase II FCT plus thalidomide (39 patients); and phase I ispinesib (SB 994772) (32 patients). Outcome data including CR (complete remission) rate, overall survival, and treatment related toxicities, were analyzed according to prior treatment, disease characteristics, ECOG performance status (PS), duration of first CR, and age. Results In multivariate analysis, survival and toxicities were similar between younger and older patients. PS was the most significant determinant of overall survival (PS 0–1: 30-day survival 97.5% and 1 year survival 21% vs. PS 2–3: 79% and 9.5%, respectively) (p = 0.029). Similarly, PS was the most important factor for development of serious non-hematologic toxicities (p = 0.034). Conclusion Our data suggest that elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients with good PS are appropriate candidates for phase I/II clinical trials.
New-onset chest pain and palpitation

A 71-year-old woman with no prior history of arrhythmia presented to the emergency room after experiencing a pounding discomfort in her left chest and back for 12 h. There were no symptoms or signs of overt heart failure. Her ECG showed new-onset atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate of 122 bpm and non-specific ST-T wave changes. Laboratory investigations revealed a markedly increased serum troponin I level of 5.48 ng/mL (normal range 0–0.12 ng/mL) and a creatine kinase-myocardial band isoenzyme (CK-MB) level of 6.8 ng/mL (normal range <3.8 ng/mL). The rest of her blood work, including complete blood count, creatinine, serum glucose and thyroid-stimulating hormone, was unremarkable. Her chest X-ray did not demonstrate any evidence of pulmonary oedema. The patient's heart rate slowed following the administration of intravenous metoprolol, and she spontaneously converted back to a sinus rhythm after a few hours. Her serum troponin I level increased further to 6.86 ng/mL 8 h after her initial measurement. Due to the significant elevation in the …
The Russian Concept of Schizophrenia: A Review of the Literature

The focus of this article is a comprehensive review of the Russian-Soviet conceptualization of schizophrenia, which can be understood only in the broader historical and cultural context of Russian-Soviet psychiatry. Because of multiple barriers and the political abuse of psychiatry in the former Soviet Union, international psychiatric literature has lacked unbiased data about the scientific merit and historical logic of the Russian-Soviet concept of schizophrenia. This article represents an attempt to examine phenomenology, nosology, and some biological theories of schizophrenia developed in the former U.S.S.R. from historical and scientific points of view and to compare them to the Western theories. The article also addresses historical and cultural antecedents of the abuse of psychiatry. The author suggests that the lack of a democratic tradition in Russia, a totalitarian regime, and oppression and "extermination" of the best psychiatrists during the 1930-50 period prepared the ground for the abuse of psychiatry and Russian-Soviet concept of schizophrenia. Perspectives on the potential changes in the Russian concept of schizophrenia in changing historical conditions are discussed.
Neighborhood revitalization without the local: race, nonprofit governance, and community development

In this paper, we explore a “grassroots” neighborhood revitalization effort engendered at the national scale without regard to local geographies of race and class. Specifically, we examine the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative, convened by the well-known nonprofit Habitat for Humanity together with Milwaukee’s Local Initiatives Support Corporation, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Drawing from participant observation, analysis of print and digital media, volunteer surveys, and interviews with area residents and local nonprofit representatives, we demonstrate the ways in which the six-year program of planning and neighborhood development was conceived and driven by an extra-local nonprofit with significant blind spots to local and organizational politics of race and without sufficient collaboration with the Harambee community. Our analysis points to the importance of race in nonprofit governance and community revitalization efforts. Moreover, we contribute to urban geographic scholarship on nonprofit governan...
Plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 levels and the risk of first cardiovascular events

Aims Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secreted protein that enhances degradation of the LDL receptor. While agents that inhibit PCSK9 markedly reduce atherogenic lipoproteins and show great promise for event reduction, it is unknown whether plasma PCSK9 levels predict incident cardiovascular events. Methods and results In a nested case–control evaluation conducted in a prospective cohort of >28 000 initially healthy American women, we measured plasma concentrations of PCSK9 at baseline among 358 participants who subsequently developed major cardiovascular events (cases) and among 358 age, smoking, and hormone replacement therapy matched participants who remained free of disease during 17 years of follow-up (controls). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 level was not significantly related to smoking status, hypertension, obesity, or a family history of premature cardiovascular disease but was positively associated with apolipoprotein B-100 ( r = 0.20, P < 0.001), and triglycerides ( r = 0.13, P = 0.004). No associations were observed between PCSK9 and apo A1, HDLC, lipoprotein(a), or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Despite modest positive association with atherogenic lipids, baseline levels of PCSK9 did not predict the first cardiovascular events; the odds ratios (ORs) for future vascular events for the lowest (referent) to highest baseline quartiles of PCSK9 were 1.0, 0.94, 0.98, and 1.15 ( P -trend = 0.53). In contrast, the corresponding ORs for baseline apo B levels were 1.0, 1.14, 1.34, and 1.94 ( P -trend = 0.002). Conclusions In a large-scale primary prevention cohort, plasma levels of PCSK9 measured at baseline did not predict future cardiovascular events.
Combination lumacaftor and ivacaftor therapy for cystic fibrosis

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, causing pancreatic insufficiency, progressive bronchiectasis that leads to respiratory failure, and other organ system disease. Ivacaftor, the first commercially available therapy that improves CFTR function, has been available for patients with “gating” CFTR mutations since 2012. Lumacaftor combined with ivacaftor was recently demonstrated to improve lung function and reduce pulmonary exacerbation frequency in CF patients who are homozygous for the F508del mutation, the most prevalent CFTR mutation worldwide.Areas covered: This article discusses basic discoveries leading to the development of lumacaftor-ivacaftor combination therapy, and results of phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. Articles were accessed via PubMed using the search terms VX-809 and lumacaftor; supplemental information was accessed using Google Search a...
A comparative study of the local toxic action of mercurial diuretics.

Summary and ConclusionsThree mercurial diuretics, Thiomerin, Mercuzanthin and Mer-cuhydrin have been compared with respect to the tissue reaction which they produce. Thiom-erin was tolerated by mice on subcutaneous injection without exhibiting gross pathology while Mercuzanthin and Mercuhydrin gave rise to necrosis of the skin under the same conditions. After intramuscular injection in rats all three drugs gave an early inflammatory response characterized by the appearance of a polymorphonuclear exudate. In the case of Thiomerin this exudate was entirely resorbed without evidence of residual damage. After injection of Mercuzanthin, or Mercuhydrin, however, the irreversible nature of the response was indicated by marked fibroblastic proliferation.These results would seem to furnish an adequate experimental basis for the clinical use of Thiomerin by subcutaneous injection.The authors wish to thank the Misses Florence Katine and Josephine Brosseau for able technical assistance.
Pay Secrecy versus Pay Disclosure for Salesmen: A Longitudinal Study:

On the basis of a “before-after with control group” experimental design, empirical evidence is provided that shows the amount of information disclosed about pay had a major impact on salesmen's per...
Lack of effect of spaceflight on bone mass and bone formation in group-housed rats

As part of an experiment to study the role of corticosteroids in bone changes during spaceflight, male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 wk old, 165 g body weight) were placed in orbit for 17 days, in groups of six, in animal-enclosure modules (AEMs) aboard the space shuttle Columbia (STS-78). Control rats were group housed in a similar manner in ground-based AEMs or standard vivarium cages. Adrenal hypertrophy occurred in flight rats, but bone histomorphometric analyses revealed a lack of significant changes in bone mass and bone formation in these animals. Cancellous bone volume and osteoblast surface in the proximal tibial metaphysis were nearly the same in flight and ground-based rats. Normal levels of cancellous bone mass and bone formation were also detected in the lumbar vertebrae and femoral necks of flight rats. In the tibial diaphysis, periosteal bone formation rate was found to be identical in flight and ground-based rats. The results indicate that, under conditions of group housing in AEMs, spaceflight has minimal effects on bone mass and bone formation in rapidly growing rats. These findings emphasize the need to investigate the importance of rat age, strain, and especially housing conditions for studies of the skeletal effects of spaceflight.
Biological effects of methoprene on the sheep bot fly.

A methoprene nasal treatment of lambs at dosages of 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5 mg/lamb significantly reduced pupation and emergence of adult Oestrus ovis L. but not larval development. Emergence of adults was inhibited by 86.4 to 100% but not necessarily in the order of increased dosage.
A FRACTURE MODEL FOR CORROSION FATIGUE CRACK PROPAGATION PROCESS

Taking into simultaneous consideration of the modified static fracture model for fatigue crack propagation and the corrosion dissolution of the bare metal surface at a crack tip, a corrosion-bluntening-fracture model for corrosion fatigue crack propagation (CFCP) was proposed. According to the new model and linear elastic fracture mechanics, an expression for CFCP rate, which revealed the quantitative correlation among CFCP rate, stress intensity factor amplitude, the CFCP threshold, the corrosion rate of the bare metal at the crack tip, loading frequency and the critical fracture stress of the hypothetical material elements along the crack path, was derived. The expression could interpret the effect of hydrogen embrit-tlement on the CFCP process. The experimental results showed that the expression gave a good fit to the CFCP rates of two commercial aluminum alloys in 3.5% NaCl solution at loading frequency 10Hz.
Brands: What’s Love Got to Do with It?

Brands are all around us and impact our lives in more ways than we can imagine. Not surprising, extant literature revolving around the notion of brand is rich and varied. However, not enough research attention has been given to family as a decision making unit and brands preferred by this unit. We first propose a conceptual framework outlining various decision making domains of family decision making unit and use secondary data to understand if there are clusters of brands preferred by mothers and kids, jointly or individually. The findings indicate that most of the brands fall within the domain of food for indulgence and entertainment. We also discuss these findings and suggest implications for researchers and marketers.
Big-Time Sports in American Universities: Beacon for Campus Culture

The trouble in College Park, Maryland, started shortly before midnight on March 31, minutes after the semifinals of the 2001 NCAA men's basketball tournament. The University of Maryland's team had just lost to archrival Duke in a close game marked by several controversial calls by referees. In addition to the students who had viewed the game on large-screen televisions set up in the basketball arena on campus, hundreds of students and other fans had watched it in one of the several sports bars located in a two-block commercial strip along Route 1, near the southeast tip of the Maryland campus. The Cornerstone, for example, had room for 400 patrons, who could watch the game on one of its 35 screens. The Santa Fe Cafe could seat another 450. One bar on the strip, Bentley's, had even erected a heated tent with TVs in its parking lot in order to make room for fans to see the game. Although many fans went home right after the game ended, dozens poured out of the Route 1 bars and headed east, in the direction of Fraternity Row, where post-game celebrations, complete with bonfires and firecrackers, had taken place the week before. On this night, however, the crowds congregated in many locations, including street corners closer to Route 1. Before the night was out, some 60 fires would be set at various locations in College Park.
Elevated Angiopoietin-2 Level in Patients With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices Leads to Altered Angiogenesis and Is Associated With Higher Nonsurgical Bleeding.

Background:Nonsurgical bleeding is the most common adverse event in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and is caused by arteriovenous malformations. We hypothesiz...
Other shell and plate geometries

Recent developments in the structure of submersibles have led to consideration of pressure hull geometries other than spherical. The prolate spheroid offers, in certain circumstances, some advantages over the sphere, in particular ease of arrangement of interior systems, improved hydrodynamic characteristics, and reduced susceptibility to initial geometric imperfections. The chapter provides a rational analysis of instability of a prolate spheroidal shell, which employs the coordinate system for the shell and considered the buckling mode to consists of a single isolated indentation. Toroidal shells may serve to store compressed gas within a submersible. The toroidal configuration can, in certain circumstances, offer an attractive utilization of space not found for more conventional shapes such as cylindrical or spherical. Toroidal shells may be of circular or non-circular cross-section, constant or variable wall thickness. Circular plates, usually with a concentric circular hole, are often found in submersibles. They serve to strengthen a cylindrical pressure hull and offer a point of attachment for various optical or electronic or electric sub-systems carried inside the vehicle. The hydrostatic loading on the cylindrical hull is transmitted to the circular plate by means of compressive radial forces acting at the outer boundary of the plate and directed toward the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and bending moments acting on the outer circular edge of the plate representing interaction between the flat plate and the cylindrical shell.
F1F0 ATP Synthase–Cyclophilin D Interaction Contributes to Diabetes-Induced Synaptic Dysfunction and Cognitive Decline

Mitochondrial abnormalities are well known to cause cognitive decline. However, the underlying molecular basis of mitochondria-associated neuronal and synaptic dysfunction in the diabetic brain remains unclear. Here, using a mitochondrial single-channel patch clamp and cyclophilin D (CypD)-deficient mice (Ppif −/−) with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, we observed an increase in the probability of Ca2+-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening in brain mitochondria of diabetic mice, which was further confirmed by mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release induced by Ca2+ overload. Diabetes-induced elevation of CypD triggers enhancement of F1F0 ATP synthase–CypD interaction, which in turn leads to mPTP opening. Indeed, in patients with diabetes, brain cypD protein levels were increased. Notably, blockade of the F1F0 ATP synthase–CypD interaction by CypD ablation protected against diabetes-induced mPTP opening, ATP synthesis deficits, oxidative stress, and mitochondria dysfunction. Furthermore, the absence of CypD alleviated deficits in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory in diabetic mice. Thus, blockade of ATP synthase interaction with CypD provides a promising new target for therapeutic intervention in diabetic encephalopathy.
Power Tuning HPC Jobs on Power-Constrained Systems

As we approach the exascale era, power has become a primary bottleneck. The US Department of Energy has set a power constraint of 20MW on each exascale machine. To be able achieve one exaflop under this constraint, it is necessary that we use power intelligently to maximize performance under a power constraint.Most production-level parallel applications that run on a supercomputer are tightly-coupled parallel applications. A naive approach of enforcing a power constraint for a parallel job would be to divide the job's power budget uniformly across all the processors. However, previous work has shown that a power capped job suffers from performance variation of otherwise identical processors leading to overall sub-optimal performance. We propose a 2-level hierarchical variation-aware approach of managing power at machine- level. At the macro level, PPartition partitions a machine's power budget across jobs to assign a power budget to each job running on the system such that the machine never exceeds its power budget. At the micro level, PTune makes job-centric decisions by taking the performance variation into account. For every moldable job, PTune determines the optimal number of processors, the selection of processors and the distribution of the job's power budget across them, with the goal of maximizing the job's performance under its power budget.Experiments show that, at the micro level, PTune achieves a performance improvement of up to 29% compared to a naive approach. PTune does not lead to any performance degradation, yet frees up almost 40% of the processors for the same performance as that of the naive approach under a hard power bound. At the macro level, PPartition is able to achieve a throughput improvement of 5-35% compared to uniform power distribution.
Ozone-derived Oxysterols Affect Liver X Receptor (LXR) Signaling: A POTENTIAL ROLE FOR LIPID-PROTEIN ADDUCTS

When inhaled, ozone (O3) interacts with cholesterols of airway epithelial cell membranes or the lung-lining fluid, generating chemically reactive oxysterols. The mechanism by which O3-derived oxysterols affect molecular function is unknown. Our data show that in vitro exposure of human bronchial epithelial cells to O3 results in the formation of oxysterols, epoxycholesterol-α and -β and secosterol A and B (Seco A and Seco B), in cell lysates and apical washes. Similarly, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from human volunteers exposed to O3 contained elevated levels of these oxysterol species. As expected, O3-derived oxysterols have a pro-inflammatory effect and increase NF-κB activity. Interestingly, expression of the cholesterol efflux pump ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), which is regulated by activation of the liver X receptor (LXR), was suppressed in epithelial cells exposed to O3. Additionally, exposure of LXR knock-out mice to O3 enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the lung, suggesting LXR inhibits O3-induced inflammation. Using alkynyl surrogates of O3-derived oxysterols, our data demonstrate adduction of LXR with Seco A. Similarly, supplementation of epithelial cells with alkynyl-tagged cholesterol followed by O3 exposure causes observable lipid-LXR adduct formation. Experiments using Seco A and the LXR agonist T0901317 (T09) showed reduced expression of ABCA1 as compared with stimulation with T0901317 alone, indicating that Seco A-LXR protein adduct formation inhibits LXR activation by traditional agonists. Overall, these data demonstrate that O3-derived oxysterols have pro-inflammatory functions and form lipid-protein adducts with LXR, thus leading to suppressed cholesterol regulatory gene expression and providing a biochemical mechanism mediating O3-derived formation of oxidized lipids in the airways and subsequent adverse health effects.
Comparison of a Dry Medium Culture Plate (Petrifilm SM Plates) Method to the Aerobic Plate Count Method for Enumeration of Mesophilic Aerobic Colony-Forming Units in Fresh Ground Beef.

Mesophilic aerobic microbial populations in fresh ground beef were enumerated with a new system, Petrifilm™ SM Plates (PSM), and with the conventional aerobic plate count (APC) method using standard methods agar (SMA). Total colony-forming units were determined in 119 fresh ground beef samples (29 extra-lean, 30 lean and 60 regular) purchased at nine different retail markets over a period of 6 wk. Linear regression analysis of PSM vs. APC counts gave a slope of 0.963, an intercept of -0.027, and a correlation coefficient of 0.951. Mean log10 counts on PSM were 5.86 compared to 6.11 on SMA (P<0.01) or a mean log10 difference of -0.25. These analyses indicate that the Petrifilm SM method would be a possible alternative for the aerobic plate count method.
DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Endocrine Late Effects of Childhood Cancer and its Treatments

Endocrine complications are frequently observed in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). One of two CCS will experience at least one endocrine complication during the course of his/her lifespan, most commonly as a late-effect of cancer treatments, especially radiotherapy and alkylating agent chemotherapy. Endocrine late-effects include impairments of the hypothalamus/pituitary, thyroid and gonads, as well as decreased bone mineral density and metabolic derangements leading to obesity and/or diabetes mellitus. A systematic approach where CCS are screened for endocrine late-effects based on their cancer history and treatment exposures may improve health outcomes by allowing the early diagnosis and treatment of these complications.
Tracheal extubation practices following adenotonsillectomy in children: effects on operating room efficiency between two institutions.

Background Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most commonly performed operative procedures in children. It is imperative to find the most efficient and cost-effective methods of practice to facilitate operating room management while maintaining patient safety. We investigated the efficiency of two different approaches of tracheal extubation in pediatric patients following adenotonsillectomy at two tertiary care pediatric hospitals with large surgical volumes. The primary aim of the study was to determine the difference in the operating room time according to the institutional practice of tracheal extubation in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) as compared to the operating room. Methods After obtaining IRB approval, a retrospective chart review was performed over a 12-month period at two large, tertiary care children's hospitals including the first hospital, where patients undergo tracheal extubation in the operating room after completion of the surgical procedure and a second hospital, where patients are brought directly to the PACU and undergo tracheal extubation in the PACU by nurses, with immediate availability of the pediatric anesthesiology faculty. Patients ≤12 years of age undergoing adenotonsillectomy were eligible for inclusion in the study. Patients with significant cardiopulmonary disease or scheduled for recovery in the critical care unit were excluded. Patient demographics, total time in the operating room, surgical time, total time in the PACU, and, when applicable, time until tracheal extubation, were noted. Results The study cohort included 672 patients from the first hospital and 700 patients from the second hospital. Average operating room time was 17 min shorter at the first hospital than at the other, with most of the difference due to a reduction in the time between surgery end and transport from the operating room. PACU times were also 26 min shorter at the first hospital than at the second children's hospital. Conclusion Tracheal extubation in the PACU is an efficient use of operating room time and resources.
Abstract 293: Id3 Regulates High-Fat-Diet--Induced IgG2c Production

Background: High-fat diet (HFD)-induced adipose tissue inflammation leads to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Recently, B cells and IgG antibodies have been shown to promote the metabolic consequences of obesity. HFD induces IgG2c production - an IgG isotype that promotes inflammatory disorders. Mice null for Id3, a helix-loop-helix protein known to mediate IgG2c responses in vivo, develop significantly attenuated HFD-induced obesity; raising the interesting hypothesis that Id3 promotes HFD-induced obesity by mediating HFD-induced IgG2c production. Methods and results: Western Blot analysis revealed that primary splenic B cells stimulated with IFN + CD40L (an IgG2c-inducing cocktail) expressed significantly greater amounts of Id3 protein compared to B cells treated with CD40L alone ((1.26+/-0.05 vs 0.88+/-0.03; n=3; p=0.003). ELISA determination of immunoglobulin levels from whole adipose tissue of fed C57Bl/6J (WT) mice fed a HFD (60% kcal fat) revealed a 4 fold increase in IgG2c (3810+/-789 ng vs 993+/-422 ng; n=5; p=0.01) - but not IgM, IgG1, or IgG2b - compared to chow-fed controls. No differences in serum IgG2c were observed. In contrast, HFD-induced adipose tissue IgG2c levels were significantly attenuated in Id3 -/- mice (1643+/-493 vs 889+/-272 ng; n=6-7; p=0.19), despite the fact that Id3 -/- mice had significantly more adipose tissue B cells per (g) fat compared to WT (1.6E5+/-0.2E5 vs 0.5E5+/-0.09E5; n=5; p=0.001). Conclusions: Id3 promotes HFD-induced local adipose tissue IgG2c production; an effect not dependent on B cell number. Studies in animals with B cell-specific loss of Id3 are ongoing to identify the mechanisms whereby Id3 mediates HFD-induced IgG2c production and downstream metabolic effects.
The Fungus Raffaelea lauricola Modifies Behavior of Its Symbiont and Vector, the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle ( Xyleborus Glabratus ), by Altering Host Plant Volatile Production

The redbay ambrosia beetle Xyleborus glabratus is the vector of the symbiotic fungus, Raffaelea lauricola that causes laurel wilt, a highly lethal disease to members of the Lauraceae family. Pioneer X. glabratus beetles infect live trees with R. lauricola, and only when tree health starts declining more X. glabratus are attracted to the infected tree. Until now this sequence of events was not well understood. In this study, we investigated the temporal patterns of host volatiles and phytohormone production and vector attraction in relation to laurel wilt symptomology. Following inoculations with R. lauricola, volatile collections and behavioral tests were performed at different time points. Three days after infection (DAI), we found significant repellency of X. glabratus by leaf odors of infected swamp bay Persea palustris as compared with controls. However, at 10 and 20 DAI, X. glabratus were more attracted to leaf odors from infected than non-infected host plants. GC-MS analysis revealed an increase in methyl salicylate (MeSA) 3 DAI, whereas an increase of sesquiterpenes and leaf aldehydes was observed 10 and 20 DAI in leaf volatiles. MeSA was the only behaviorally active repellent of X. glabratus in laboratory bioassays. In contrast, X. glabratus did not prefer infected wood over healthy wood, and there was no associated significant difference in their volatile profiles. Analyses of phytohormone profiles revealed an initial increase in the amount of salicylic acid (SA) in leaf tissues following fungal infection, suggesting that the SA pathway was activated by R. lauricola infection, and this activation caused increased release of MeSA. Overall, our findings provide a better understanding of X. glabratus ecology and underline chemical interactions with its symbiotic fungus. Our work also demonstrates how the laurel wilt pathosystem alters host defenses to impact vector behavior and suggests manipulation of host odor by the fungus that attract more vectors.
Active optical remote sensor for carbon dioxide and water vapor measurement from an air and space-borne platform

Challenges towards development and demonstration of an airborne 2-μm triple-pulse integrated path differential absorption (IPDA) lidar for simultaneous measurements of carbon dioxide and water vapor column measurements from air and space-borne platform will be presented.
Exercise in pregnancy: II. Fetal responses

Healthy pregnant women underwent a mild exercise study to evaluate the effects of this amount of work on their fetuses. The results indicated that there were no direct correlations between exercise and fetal body or breathing movements at this particular work intensity (2.33 m). We found a relationship between the maternal sympathetic activity as reflected in epinephrine levels and the degree of fetal activity.
Are Founder CEOs Better Innovators? Evidence from S&P 500 Firms

Using a novel dataset on founder CEOs in S&P 500 firms for the period from 1993 to 2003, this paper investigates the relationship between founder CEOs and innovation. Our main results show that the...
Investigation of Music and Colours Influences on the Levels of Emotion and Concentration

Experimental evidence already demonstrated that music and colours have an influence on emotion, attention and concentration. Due to the rapid technical progress, new devices are available to evaluate even more the brain signals, to map and compare them with reference values. Therefore, starting from the fact that music and colours not only express emotion, but also produce emotions at different levels depending on the psychological and mental health of the user, we investigate with NeuroSky technology, precisely with the MindWave headset, the amplitude and spectral components of low frequency brainwave signal, translated into a relationship between music, colour and the outcome of mental activity. The aim of this paper is to investigate the music’s and colour’s influence on the brain activity, mainly the increase on the concentration level noting the help to students enrolled in distance-learning programs. A LabVIEW application is developed in order to better monitor and do the spectral analyses and statistics calculations of the music and/or colour induced brain waves.
Rapid Frequency Comb Spectroscopy from 4.4 µm to 4.7 µm using a Virtually Imaged Phased Array

Rapid, precise, and sensitive multiplexed measurements of N2O were preformed using a mid-infrared frequency comb and virtually imaged phased array spectrometer. Multiplexed images covering > 35 cm−1 were recorded in 500 µs.
Semi-Supervised Deep Learning Using Pseudo Labels for Hyperspectral Image Classification

Deep learning has gained popularity in a variety of computer vision tasks. Recently, it has also been successfully applied for hyperspectral image classification tasks. Training deep neural networks, such as a convolutional neural network for classification requires a large number of labeled samples. However, in remote sensing applications, we usually only have a small amount of labeled data for training because they are expensive to collect, although we still have abundant unlabeled data. In this paper, we propose semi-supervised deep learning for hyperspectral image classification—our approach uses limited labeled data and abundant unlabeled data to train a deep neural network. More specifically, we use deep convolutional recurrent neural networks (CRNN) for hyperspectral image classification by treating each hyperspectral pixel as a spectral sequence. In the proposed semi-supervised learning framework, the abundant unlabeled data are utilized with their pseudo labels (cluster labels). We propose to use all the training data together with their pseudo labels to pre-train a deep CRNN, and then fine-tune using the limited available labeled data. Further, to utilize spatial information in the hyperspectral images, we propose a constrained Dirichlet process mixture model (C-DPMM), a non-parametric Bayesian clustering algorithm, for semi-supervised clustering which includes pairwise must-link and cannot-link constraints—this produces high-quality pseudo-labels, resulting in improved initialization of the deep neural network. We also derived a variational inference model for the C-DPMM for efficient inference. Experimental results with real hyperspectral image data sets demonstrate that the proposed semi-supervised method outperforms state-of-the-art supervised and semi-supervised learning methods for hyperspectral classification.
Emotional responses to unintentional and intentional traumatic injuries among urban black men: A qualitative study.

Abstract Purpose The burden of injuries is disproportionately concentrated among Black men in the United States. Previous studies suggest that the mental health effects of trauma may vary by the intentionality of the injury (intentional vs. unintentional), yet little is known about this experience among Black men. We explored the emotional responses to traumatic injuries in the context of injury intentionality among Black men in an urban area. Methods We conducted semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 74 Black men who were traumatically injured. The interviews took place three months after discharge from the hospital and they were audiotaped, transcribed, and de-identified. We used systematic thematic analysis to identify themes about post-trauma emotional responses to intentional and unintentional injuries. Results The narratives of intentionally injured men revealed persistent exposure to neighborhood violence and their distrust of others including the people they knew and to whom they felt close. Survivors of unintentional injuries did not express a similar distrust of others. Our findings suggest that survivors of intentional injuries experience loss of social support following their injuries. Conclusions Emotional responses can differ by intentionality of traumatic injury among urban Black men. Intentional injuries may be a marker for chronic exposure to violence and limited social support for recovery. Additional resources should be targeted to survivors of intentional injury who return to disadvantaged communities after medical treatment to decrease risk of re-traumatization and adverse emotional responses.