cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Platelet-Derived Growth Factors and Receptors in the Rat Corpus Luteum: Localization and Identification of an Effect on Luteogenesis

Abstract Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their receptors (PDGFRs) play a vital role in regulating cell growth and angiogenesis. In this study, the expression of the family of PDGFs and PDGFRs in the ovarian corpus luteum were identified and characterized, and an effect of their activity on development of the corpus luteum revealed. Gonadotropin-stimulated immature rats were utilized as a model of induced ovulation, luteogenesis, and pseudopregnancy. Levels of ovarian mRNA for Pdgfb and Pdgfd, and their receptor, Pdgfrb, increased significantly as early as 4 h after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection in immature rats primed with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Gonadotropin regulation of Pdgfb expression was confirmed by in vitro promoter-reporter assays, which showed a 2- to 3-fold increase in Pdgfb promoter activity in response to luteinizing hormone (LH). Inhibition studies implicated protein kinase A, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mitogen activated protein kinase signaling...
Transport AC Loss Measurements in Superconducting Coils

Transport AC loss measurements were performed on several Second Generation (2G) High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) pancake coils. A good agreement was observed between the AC loss values of the coils obtained using two separate techniques. Self-field critical current density of the tape did not have direct effect on the AC losses in coils. Relative orientation of the tapes in 2-tape stack affects AC losses in coils using the stacked conductor. Losses scale with maximum perpendicular field seen by the conductor in the coil suggesting that the magnetization loss is the predominant component of coil losses. Absence of frequency dependence of the losses indicates that the eddy current losses are not significant in the coils up to 400 Hz.
Dynamically Trading Frequency for Complexity in a GALS Microprocessor

Microprocessors are traditionally designed to provide "best overall" performance across a wide range of applications and operating environments. Several groups have proposed hardware techniques that save energy by "downsizing" hardware resources that are underutilized by the current application phase. Others have proposed a different energy-saving approach: dividing the processor into domains and dynamically changing the clock frequency and voltage within each domain during phases when the full domain frequency is not required. What has not been studied to date is how to exploit the adaptive nature of these approaches to improve performance rather than to save energy. In this paper, we describe an adaptive globally asynchronous, locally synchronous (GALS) microprocessor with a fixed global voltage and four independently clocked domains. Each domain is streamlined with modest hardware structures for very high clock frequency. Key structures can then be upsized on demand to exploit more distant parallelism, improve branch prediction, or increase cache capacity. Although doing so requires decreasing the associated domain frequency, other domain frequencies are unaffected. Our approach, therefore, is to maximize the throughput of each domain by finding the proper balance between the number of clock periods, and the clock frequency, for each application phase. To achieve this objective, we use novel hardware-based control techniques that accurately and efficiently capture the performance of all possible cache and queue configurations within a single interval, without having to resort to exhaustive online exploration or expensive offline profiling. Measuring across a broad suite of application benchmarks, we find that configuring our adaptive GALS processor just once per application yields 17.6% better performance, on average, than that of the "best overall" fully synchronous design. By adapting automatically to application phases, we can increase this advantage to more than 20%.
Effect of Indomethacin and Aspirin on Uterine Activity in Pregnant Rats: Comparison of Circular and Longitudinal Muscle

This study compares the effects of two inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis, indomethacin and aspirin, on the longitudinal muscle (LM) and circular muscle (CM) of the rat uterus. Microelectrode and tension records were obtained from LM and CM strips isolated from uteri of normal animals on gestation Days 17-21 and during delivery and on the drug-treated rats on Days 2 1-22. In normal pregnant rats the pattern of spontaneous uterine activity changes progressively throughout gestation. The changes are most prominent in the CM and consist of a gradual decline in membrane potential and alteration in the configuration of the action potential from a plateau-type, single spike (Day 17) to repetitive spikes synchronous with contraction (Day 21 and delivering). Although the frequency of contraction declines over this period, the contractions become longer and more regular and synchronize with spike trains as pregnancy progresses. Indomethacin and aspirin delayed parturition by at least 24 h and prevented the “evolution” of the electrical and mechanical activity in both LM and CM. The actions of these agents were different in the two muscle layers and were unique for each drug. While our results do not exclude the possibility that inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis is one component of the actions of indomethacin and aspirin, they also suggest that the drugs have additional effects of their own. The study also emphasizes differences in the activity of the LM and CM in the rat uterus not only during pregnancy but also with respect to the actions of various drugs.
Modeling small objects under uncertanities: novel algorithms and applications

Active Shape Models (ASM), Active Appearance Models (AAM) and Active Tensor Models (ATM) are common approaches to model elastic (deformable) objects. These models require an ensemble of shapes and textures, annotated by human experts, in order identify the model order and parameters. A candidate object may be represented by a weighted sum of basis generated by an optimization process. These methods have been very effective for modeling deformable objects in biomedical imaging, biometrics, computer vision and graphics. They have been tried mainly on objects with known features that are amenable to manual (expert) annotation. They have not been examined on objects with severe ambiguities to be uniquely characterized by experts. This dissertation presents a unified approach for modeling, detecting, segmenting and categorizing small objects under uncertainty, with focus on lung nodules that may appear in low dose CT (LDCT) scans of the human chest. The AAM, ASM and the ATM approaches are used for the first time on this application. A new formulation to object detection by template matching, as an energy optimization, is introduced. Nine similarity measures of matching have been quantitatively evaluated for detecting nodules less than 1 cm in diameter. Statistical methods that combine intensity, shape and spatial interaction are examined for segmentation of small size objects. Extensions of the intensity model using the linear combination of Gaussians (LCG) approach are introduced, in order to estimate the number of modes in the LCG equation. The classical maximum a posteriori (MAP) segmentation approach has been adapted to handle segmentation of small size lung nodules that are randomly located in the lung tissue. A novel empirical approach has been devised to simultaneously detect and segment the lung nodules in LDCT scans. The level sets methods approach was also applied for lung nodule segmentation. A new formulation for the energy function controlling the level set propagation has been introduced taking into account the specific properties of the nodules. Finally, a novel approach for classification of the segmented nodules into categories has been introduced. Geometric object descriptors such as the SIFT, ASIFT, SURF and LBP have been used for feature extraction and matching of small size lung nodules; the LBP has been found to be the most robust. Categorization implies classification of detected and segmented objects into classes or types. The object descriptors have been deployed in the detection step for false positive reduction, and in the categorization stage to assign a class and type for the nodules. The AAM/ASM/ATM models have been used for the categorization stage. The front-end processes of lung nodule modeling, detection, segmentation and classification/categorization are model-based and data-driven. This dissertation is the first attempt in the literature at creating an entirely model-based approach for lung nodule analysis.
Pattern-Based Learning and Spatially-Oriented Concept Formation in a Multi-Agent, Decision-Making Expert

As they gain expertise in problem solving, people increasingly rely on patterns and spatially oriented reasoning. This paper describes an associative visual-pattern classifier and the automated acquisition of new, spatially oriented reasoning agents that simulate such behavior. They are incorporated into a multi-agent game-learning program whose architecture robustly combines agents with conflicting perspectives. When tested on three games, the visual-pattern classifier learns meaningful patterns, and the pattern-based, spatially oriented agents generalized from these patterns are generally correct. The accuracy of the contribution of each of the newly created agents to the decision-making process is measured against an expert opponent, and a perceptron-Iike algorithm is used to learn game-specific weights for these agents. Much of the knowledge encapsulated by the new agents was previously inexpressible in the program's representation and in some cases is not readily deducible from the rules.
Equalization of rapidly fading channels: self-recovering methods

Blind estimation of time-varying (TV), rapidly fading channels is addressed, using a basis expansion approach. Each TV coefficient is expanded onto a basis and the expansion parameters are estimated for subsequent use in Viterbi or decision-feedback equalizers. Blind estimation of the expansion parameters is accomplished using higher order statistics. Identifiability of the channel is shown from second and fourth-order TV cumulants of the received signal. A cumulant matching criterion is adopted and instantaneous approximations are proposed in place of the nonstationary ensembles. Linear methods are also derived to initialize the nonlinear optimization procedure. Strong convergence of the proposed method is established. Finally, the method is tested on a simulated mobile radio channel with multipath.
Contrast-enhanced sonographic imaging of lymphatic channels and sentinel lymph nodes.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lymphatic channels (LCs) and sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) could be detected on sonographic imaging after subcutaneous, submucosal, or parenchymal injections of a sonographic contrast agent (ie, lymphosonography) in a variety of anatomic locations in several animal models. Methods. Eight swine, 7 canines, 4 rabbits, and a monkey were used for these evaluations. Gray scale pulse inversion harmonic imaging of the LCs and the SLNs was performed after subcutaneous (n = 58), submucosal (n = 14), or parenchymal (n = 8) injections of a tissue-specific sonographic contrast agent (Sonazoid; GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway). In many instances, blue dye was injected into the same locations as Sonazoid, and surgical dissection of the SLNs and LCs was performed for comparison. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of contrast-enhanced and control lymph nodes from 2 rabbits was performed to determine the mechanism of contrast agent uptake and retention within SLNs. Results. After subcutaneous, submucosal, or parenchymal contrast agent injections, gray scale pulse inversion harmonic imaging could be used to identify the number and location(s) of LCs and SLNs. After subcutaneous, submucosal, or parenchymal contrast agent injections, Sonazoid was confined to the SLNs (ie, contrast enhancement was not detected in the second-echelon nodes). There was good agreement between the results of lymphosonography and blue dye with surgical dissection in identifying the regional LCs and SLNs. Scanning electron microscopy identified vacuoles representing intact contrast microbubbles within contrast-enhanced SLN macrophages, which were not present in the control lymph nodes. Conclusions. Lymphosonography can be used to detect lymphatic drainage pathways and SLNs in a variety of animal models.
Tigecycline Induction of Phenol-Soluble Modulins by Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains

We examined the effects of tigecycline on three types of exoproteins, α-type phenol-soluble modulins (PSMα1 to PSMα4), α-hemolysin, and protein A, in 13 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates compared to those of clindamycin and linezolid. Paradoxical increases in PSMαs occurred in 77% of the isolates with tigecycline at 1/4 and 1/8 MICs and clindamycin at 1/8 MIC compared to only 23% of the isolates with linezolid at 1/8 MIC. Induction was specific to PSMα1 to PSMα4, as protein A and α-hemolysin production was decreased under the same conditions by all of the antibiotics used.
Persisting consequences of stroke measured by the stroke impact scale

Background and Purpose— The purpose of this study was to compare disability and quality of life as measured by the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) of stroke patients deemed recovered (Barthel Index ≥95) with 2 stroke-free populations of community-dwelling elderly. Methods— Eighty-one stroke patients who participated in the Kansas City Stroke Registry and achieved a Barthel Index of ≥95 at 3 months after stroke and 246 stroke-free subjects enrolled in the Community Elders Study were enrolled in this study. The Community Elders Study group was further divided into 2 groups, those recruited from the Department of Veterans Affairs Health System (VA) and a those from a local health maintenance organization (HMO). Stroke patients were administered the SIS ≈90 days after stroke, and the stroke-free community dwellers were administered a version of the SIS adapted for nonstroke subjects, the Health Impact Scale (HIS). A general linear model was used to examine differences in health outcomes measured by the SIS or HIS b...
System-on-a-chip VLSI-is it finally really here?

Summary form only given. System-on-a-chip VLSI has long been discussed and has many meanings, with the most compelling being a design which has components at a level above what is presently being used. In the past this has sometimes simply been a heterogeneous design which simultaneously includes either analog with digital or non-transistor structures or even simply just different kinds of digital circuitry. While all of these have design challenges beyond that necessary for a single type, it is the possible inclusion of all the above (analog, non-transistor, various types of digital) which rises to the level of a true system-on-a-chip. This represents the integration of all the functions which were previously interconnected on a PC board or boards, which is one level higher than what has been previously possible. Such high levels of integration are required in those applications which are cost, power and size sensitive and the most clear example of such products are systems which wireless communications in portable devices. This can range from cell phones to portable multimedia terminals and demonstrations of these systems are now beginning to appear which have integration of both the analog and digital functions as well as passive elements that are compatible with CMOS. These prototypical system-on-a-chip implementations are further complicated by the various types of digital computation which are required. The demand for the most efficient integrated solution requires a simultaneous optimization of the passive devices, analog circuits as well as the computational structures used to implement the digital processing. The choice of the latter is particularly important as the various approaches can range over many orders of magnitude in size and energy efficiency. The design of portable wireless systems is particularly rich in that it not only involves the circuit design, but a number of other fields including communication theory, radio architecture, RF analog design and software. It is the possibility of integration of circuit structures that support these highly diverse areas that results in the conclusion that system-on-chip VLSI has finally arrived.
Would broadening the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder do more harm than good? Implications from longitudinal studies of subthreshold conditions.

Background: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), is a categorical system that provides descriptive diagnostic criteria for psychiatric syndromes. These syndrome descriptions are imperfect representations of an underlying behavioral, psychological, or biological dysfunction; thus, the criteria could be conceptualized as a type of test for the etiologically defined illnesses. Accordingly, as with any other diagnostic test, diagnoses based on DSM-IV criteria produce some false positive and some false negative results. That is, some patients who meet the criteria will not have the illness (ie, false positives), and some who do not meet the criteria because their symptoms fall below the diagnostic threshold will have the illness and incorrectly not receive the diagnosis (ie, false negatives). In this context, I consider the controversy over whether the diagnostic threshold for bipolar disorder should be lowered. Method: Longitudinal studies of the prognostic significance of subthreshold bipolar disorder are considered. Results: Subthreshold bipolarity is a risk factor for the future emergence of bipolar disorder, but the majority of individuals with subthreshold bipolarity do not develop a future manic or hypomanic episode. Conclusions: The diagnostic threshold for bipolar disorder should not be lowered for 4 reasons: (1) the results of longitudinal studies suggest that lowering the diagnostic threshold for bipolar disorder will result in a greater increase in false positive than true positive diagnoses; (2) there are no controlled studies demonstrating the efficacy of mood stabilizers in treating subthreshold bipolar disorder; (3) if a false negative diagnosis occurs and bipolar disorder is underdiagnosed, diagnosis and treatment can be changed when a manic/hypomanic episode emerges; and (4) if bipolar disorder is overdiagnosed and patients are inappropriately prescribed a mood stabilizer, the absence of a future manic/hypomanic episode would incorrectly be considered evidence of the efficacy of treatment, and the unnecessary medications that might cause medically significant side effects would not be discontinued.
Direct model reference adaptive control and saturation constraints

Abstract Direct model reference adaptive control (DMRAC) is an attractive algorithm that uses a linear combination of feedforward model states and command inputs, as well as the error between plant and model outputs; it does not require full state access nor observers. Real world applications are usually subject to limits on the controlled variables for either safety or practical reasons. Because of the unique structure of the controller, many of the methods developed to deal with saturation constraints can not be applied directly to DMRAC. This papers presents extensions to the algorithm to allow for the explicit handling of such constraints.
Control Issues Related to Start-Up of Tokamaks

Developing robust and reproducible start-up scenarios is essential for all tokamaks and especially for burning plasma devices. A tokamak start-up sequence is complex and calls on control of differe...
Discuss of A/D Converter

With the development and progress of computer science,micr-electronics science and signal pro- cessing,Analog/Digital converter has already become the key technology in the area of DSP.This paper simplely recommend the basic principle of A/D:PCM.including sample,quantity,code;also recommend the implemental way of A/D,including the way of hardware and software,also their merit,flaw and apply range,also their trend of development.
Research on the Key Technologies of Blade's NC Machining

Based on the structural characteristics of blade,the key technologies of CNC machining of blade were analyzed,including modeling technology of blade,processing technology and tool path planning,calculation of tool path,deformation processing control and so on.The choices of processing tool were introduced,and the calculations of cutter position of end milling cutter and ball-end milling cutter for 4 axis high speed milling were introduced.
Study on Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Crocetin in Rats by RP-HPLC

Objective:To establish an RP - HPLC method for the analysis of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribu tion of crocetin in rats. Method:The biological samples were diluted by methanol which also precipitated the protein in plasma. The Kromasil C18 column( 150 mm×4. 6 mm,5μm) was used as analytical column. The column temperature was 30 ℃. The mobile phase consisted of methanol - water - acetic acid(74:24:2) at a flow rate of 1. 0 mL ·min-1.The UV detection wavelength was 423 nm. Results:The recovery of the method was(93.08±2.4)% (106. 5±7. 1) %. The linear range was 0. 4903 - 15. 36μg · mL -1 (r = 0. 9995). The lowest detectable concentration of crocetin was 13. 4 ng·mL-1 (S/N=3). RSD of intra - day and inter - day were less than 5% and 8% respectively. After a single oral dose of crocetin,the concentration of crocetin was followed as in order Cliver Clung Cuterua,ovary Ckidney Cfat Ctesticle. Conclusion:The method is accurate and reliable. It can be used for the pharmaco kinetic studies of crocetin in rats. The tissue distribution of crocetin is extensive in rats.
HYPOCENTER: An earthquake location method using centered, scaled, and adaptively damped least squares

We present an earthquake location method, HYPOCENTER, which combines features of the two well-known algorithms HYPO71 and HYPOINVERSE, with a new technique which we term adaptive damping. Each column of the linearized condition matrix T , which relates changes in arrival time to changes in hypocentral position, is centered and scaled to have zero mean and a norm of one. Origin time is defined as the mean arrival time minus the mean travel time. The three least-squares normal equations for hypocentral coordinates, with diagonal terms equal to one, are then solved iteratively by adding a variable damping factor, θ 2, to their diagonal terms before inversion. If the residual sum of squares increases, we return to the previous iteration, increase θ 2, then try again. This procedure, which we term adaptive damping, always results in residuals which are less than or equal to the HYPO71 or HYPOINVERSE residuals. We demonstrate HYPOCENTER by comparing it to HYPO71 and HYPOINVERSE using synthetic and real arrival time data for four- and eight-station seismic arrays.
Prediction of intramuscular fat percentage in live swine using real-time ultrasound

Purebred Durocs (n = 207) were used to develop a model to predict loin intramuscular fat percentage (PIMF) of the longissimus muscle in live pigs. A minimum of four longitudinal, real-time ultrasound images were collected 7 cm off-midline across the 10th to the 13th ribs on the live animal. A trained technician used texture analysis software to interpret the images and produce 10 image parameters. Backfat and loin muscle area were measured from a cross-sectional image at the 10th rib. After harvest, a slice from the 10th to the 11h rib loin interface was used to determine carcass loin intramuscular fat percentage (CIMF). The model to predict loin intramuscular fat percentage was developed using linear regression analysis with CIMF as the dependent variable. Initial independent variables were off-test weight, live animal ultrasonic 10th rib backfat and loin muscle area, and the 10 image parameters. Independent variables were removed individually until all variables remaining were significant (P < 0.05). The final prediction model included live animal ultrasound backfat and five image parameters. The multiple coefficient of determination and root mean square error for the prediction model were 0.32 and 1.02%, respectively. An independent data set of Duroc (n = 331) and Yorkshire (n = 288) pigs from two replications of the National Pork Board's Genetics of Lean Efficiency Project were used for model validation. Results showed the Duroc pigs provided the beat validation of the model. The product moment correlation and rank correlation coefficients between PIMF and CIMF were 0.60 and 0.56, respectively, in the Duroc population. Results show real-time ultrasound image analysis can be used to predict intramuscular fat percentage in live swine.
The complexes of ouabain with sodium- and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase formed with various ligands: relationship to the complex formed in the beating heart.

The characteristics of complexes of [ 3 H]ouabain with (Na + + K + )-ATPase [Mg 2+ -dependent, (Na + , K + )-activated ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3.] formed in vitro in the presence of various ligands were compared using partially purified rat brain and dog heart enzyme preparations and dog heart homogenates. The differences in characteristics of the ouabain-enzyme complexes were detected by monitoring dissociation rates in media of low ionic strength. It appeared that there are at least three different forms of the ouabain-enzyme complex prepared in vitro with rat brain enzyme. The ouabain-enzyme complex formed with Mg 2+ and P i was stable and unaffected by K + added to the dissociation mixture. The ouabain-enzyme complex formed in the presence of Mg 2+ and ATP had an intermediary dissociation rate in the absence of K + and was not stabilized by K + . The addition of Na + to the binding mixture containing Mg 2+ and ATP increased the ouabain binding and resulted in the formation of an unstable complex. The addition of K + to the mixture after the termination of the binding reaction stabilized the complex. In contrast, the presence of K + in the binding mixture with Na + , Mg 2+ , and ATP resulted in a K + -insensitive, intermediary stable complex which was similar to that formed in the presence of Mg 2+ and ATP. With dog heart enzyme, the ouabain-enzyme complex formed in the presence of Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , and ATP had characteristics similar to that formed in the presence of Na + , Mg 2+ , and ATP. Both complexes were stabilized by K + added to the dissociation mixture. The [ 3 H]ouabain bound to ventricular tissue during the Langendorff perfusion of isolated puppy hearts and dissociated in vitro was stabilized by the addition of K + , like the complex formed in vitro in the presence of either Na + , Mg 2+ , and ATP or Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , and ATP, but unlike the complex formed in the presence of Mg 2+ and P i , which was not stabilized by K + . It was concluded that ouabain binds to different forms of the phosphoenzyme under various ligand conditions, resulting in different forms of the ouabain-enzyme complex, and that the ouabain-enzyme complex formed in the presence of Mg 2+ and P i is not a suitable model for the drug-enzyme interaction occurring in vivo . Additionally, the dissociation characteristics of the ouabain-enzyme complex formed in vitro were not influenced by the concentration of ouabain or by the duration of the drug-enzyme interaction.
Using Qualitative Data Analysis to Measure User Experience in a Serious Game for Premed Students

The University of Texas Transformation in Medical Education Portal (UT TIME Portal) is a game-based learning platform for select premed students, with a particular emphasis on communication and professionalism. In addition to quantitative data on system usage and user performance, the UT TIME Portal generates rich sets of qualitative data collected through discussion board posts and pre- and post- surveys. Using NVivo 10’s built-in tools, our team used this qualitative data to measure game experience outcomes in many ways by building and testing out hypotheses about our user experience design. The ability to tag, code and organize themes to then be analyzed in the context of quantitative data generated by the UT TIME Portal adds an important dimension to understanding the user experience and generates insights not possible to glean from quantitative data alone.
Transcript-level expression analysis of RNA-seq experiments with HISAT, StringTie and Ballgown

High-throughput sequencing of mRNA (RNA-seq) has become the standard method for measuring and comparing the levels of gene expression in a wide variety of species and conditions. RNA-seq experiments generate very large, complex data sets that demand fast, accurate and flexible software to reduce the raw read data to comprehensible results. HISAT (hierarchical indexing for spliced alignment of transcripts), StringTie and Ballgown are free, open-source software tools for comprehensive analysis of RNA-seq experiments. Together, they allow scientists to align reads to a genome, assemble transcripts including novel splice variants, compute the abundance of these transcripts in each sample and compare experiments to identify differentially expressed genes and transcripts. This protocol describes all the steps necessary to process a large set of raw sequencing reads and create lists of gene transcripts, expression levels, and differentially expressed genes and transcripts. The protocol's execution time depends on the computing resources, but it typically takes under 45 min of computer time. HISAT, StringTie and Ballgown are available from http://ccb.jhu.edu/software.shtml.
Effect of nopales (Opuntia spp.) on lipoprotein profile and oxidative stress among moderately hypercholesterolemic adults: A pilot study

This study evaluated the effect of nopales (prickly pear cactus pads) for improving cardiometabolic risk factors and oxidative stress, compared to control, in hypercholesterolemic adults. In a randomized crossover trial, participants were assigned to a 2-wk intervention with 2 cups/day of nopales or cucumbers (control), with a 2 to 3-wk washout period. The study included 16 adults (46 ± 14 y; BMI = 31.4 ± 5.7 kg/m2) with moderate hypercholesterolemia. There was no significant treatment-by-time effect for any dietary composition data, lipid profile, cardiometabolic outcomes, or oxidative stress markers. Both treatments significantly increased triglyceride concentrations (cucumber, 14.8%; nopales, 15.2%; pTime = 0.020). On average, LDL-c was decreased by 2.0 mg/dL (−1.4%) after the cucumber phase and 3.9 mg/dL (−2.9%) after the nopales phase (pTime = 0.176). In conclusion, these data do not support the purported benefits of nopales at doses of 2 cups/day for 2-wk on markers of lipoprotein profile, cardiometabolic risk, and oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic adults.
Invited) Challenges in Engineering RRAM technology for high density applications

Summary form only given. Although RRAM technology shows significant potential to be a major component of future memory systems, significant challenges exist for high density RRAM applications. Some of these critical challenges such as read noise, retention, endurance and tail bit performance will be discussed.
IoT Security Development Framework for building trustworthy Smart car services

The Internet of Things (IoT) will connect not only computers and mobile devices, but it will also interconnect Smart cars, buildings, homes, and cities, as well as electrical grids, gas, and water networks, automobiles, airplanes, etc. However, with the introduction of IoT, we will be experiencing grand challenges to secure and protect its advanced information services due to the significant increase of the attack surface, complexity, heterogeneity and number of interconnected resources. In this paper, we present an IoT Security Development Framework (ISDF) to build trustworthy and highly secure applications and services. The ISDF enables developers to consider security issues at all IoT layers and integrate security algorithms with the functions and services offered in each layer rather than considering security in an ad-hoc and after thought manner. We also show how this framework can be used to develop highly secure and trustworthy Vehicle Information and management Portal (VIMP) services and how to apply our Anomaly Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology to secure and protect these services against any type of attacks.
Synthesis of LiFePO4 in an Open-air Environment

Among different efforts to increase the competitiveness of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in the energy storage marketplace, reducing the cost of production is a major effort by the LIB industry. This work proposes a synthesis method to decrease the production cost for LiFePO4, by synthesizing the material through an open-air environment solid state reaction. The lithium (Li)-ion battery is a member of the family of rechargeable batteries. In our approach, iron phosphate (FePO4) powder is preheated to eliminate moisture. Once dried, the FePO4 is mixed with lithium acetate (CH3COOLi), and the mixture is heated in a tube furnace. The solid-state reaction is conducted in an open-air environment. In order to minimize the oxidation of the formed LiFePO4, a modified tube reaction vessel is utilized during synthesis. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) are used to characterize the crystal structure and chemical composition of the synthesized material. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization shows the grain size of the formed LiFePO4 to be in the range of 200 nm to 600 nm. Cycling testing of fabricated battery cells using the synthesized LiFePO4 is done using an Arbin Tester.
Abstract 110: Novel Apoc-II Mimetic Peptide Activates LPL and Decreases Serum Triglycerides in Mice.

BACKGROUND Elevated triglycerides (TG) over 1000 mg/dL in patients with severe dyslipidemias can lead to pancreatitis. ApoA-I and its mimetic peptides, which are currently being explored as therapeutic agents for acute coronary syndrome, can also markedly increase serum TG. OBJECTIVE To examine the mechanism behind hypertriglyceridemia caused by apoA-I mimetic peptides and to develop novel peptides based on apoC-II for activating LPL and decreasing serum TG. METHODS The 18A-CII peptide was synthesized, using standard solid phase FMOC chemistry, and contains the 18A amphipathic helix (DWLKAFYDKVAEKLKEAF) linked to the last helix of apoC-II (AMSTYTGIFTDQVLSVLKGEE) with an intervening Pro residue. RESULTS High doses of the 5A apoA-I mimetic peptide (>120mg/kg) raised serum TG between 1000-1200mg/dL in non-fasting C57B/6 mice after a single bolus. By FPLC analysis, most of the TG were observed in VLDL. By in vitro lipolysis studies, 5A was found to be a direct inhibitor of LPL, whereas 18A-CII activated LPL. An inactive analogue of 18A-CII, containing 4 Ala substitutions for the residues (18A-P-AMSTATGAFTAAVLSVLKGEE) shown to bind to LPL, inhibited LPL activity. Intravenous injection of 30mg/kg of 18A-CII in C57BL/6 mice showed a 52% of reduction of LDL-C. In ApoE KO and LDLR KO mice, treatment with 18A-CII led to a marked TG reduction at 4 h of 85% and 53%, respectively, when compared to sham injected mice. Co-administration of 5A along with 18A-CII in mice still resulted in an increase in HDL-C observed with the 5A peptide but with no increase in serum TG. In order to test the effect of 18A-CII in humans, plasma from an ApoC-II deficient patient was treated with LPL. Addition of 18A-CII or apoC-II was similarly effective in restoring normal level of lipolysis after the addition of LPL. CONCLUSION In summary, 18A-CII is able to activate LPL both in vitro and in vivo and reduces serum TG levels and can overcome the inhibition of LPL observed with 5A. These results suggest that 18A-CII may be of value either in combination with an apoA-I mimetic peptide and or can be possibly be used to treat apoC-II deficiency.
A close-up look at the spliceosome, at last

Major developments in cryo-electron microscopy in the past three or four years have led to the solution of a number of spliceosome structures at high resolution, e.g., the fully assembled but not yet active spliceosome (Bact), the spliceosome just after the first step of splicing (C), and the spliceosome activated for the second step (C*). Therefore 30 years of genetics and biochemistry of the spliceosome can now be interpreted at the structural level. I have closely examined the RNase H domain of Prp8 in each of the structures. Interestingly, the RNase H domain has different and unexpected roles in each of the catalytic steps of splicing.
Research Practices and Support Needs of Scholars in the Field of Agriculture at Cornell University

ABSTRACTThis article presents the results of one of numerous and coordinated qualitative studies carried out at land-grant universities across the United States, to improve our understanding of agricultural research practices and identify new avenues for library services to meet the changing needs of agricultural faculty and research staff. We interviewed agricultural researchers across several departments at Cornell University about their research practices including research dissemination methods, data sharing, their use of primary and secondary resources, and current challenges in conducting agricultural research. Emerging themes included stakeholder engagement, collaboration and interdisciplinarity, the impact of technology, and research inputs and outputs.
Abstract P256: Epigenetic Changes by Nuclear Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in the Heart

Calcium is central in the regulation of many cellular functions and alteration of calcium signaling leads to a variety of cardiac disorders. An important question remaining in cardiac biology is how calcium-dependent mechanisms are regulated and more specifically how calcium activates intracellular signaling pathways and regulates gene activity in the cell nucleus. The nuclear isoform of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKIIB) plays a protective role in the heart under basal conditions, and alteration of its level or activity is associated with pathological events such as cell death and cardiac hypertrophy. We recently made a novel discovery showing that CaMKIIδB couples calcium signals to the genome by targeting specific histones in chromatin. Our preliminary results show that CaMKIIδB selectively phosphorylates histone H3 in vitro and in primary cardiomyocytes. Activation of CaMK activity after α-adrenergic stimulation of primary cardiac cells increases histone H3 phosphorylation at serine 10 (Ser-10), whereas specific elimination of the kinase has the opposite effect. Enhanced phosphorylation of histone H3 Ser-10 is observed in primary fibroblasts and also in primary ventricular myocytes and culminates at 24 hours of stimulation, suggesting that signaling to histone H3 is not limited to highly dividing cells and is not transient. Importantly, Enhanced histone H3 Ser-10 phosphorylation can be detected in the heart of mice subjected to myocardial infarction. These results reveal a new role for CaMK enzymes in chromatin remodeling the heart and that epigenetic changes may contribute to the development cardiac diseases.
The Political Economy of Tax Return Privacy -- Revisited

In 1993, Robert P. Strauss published an article in the State Tax Notes describing research he did for the Massachusetts Business Tax Study Commission. Strauss’ article was critical of public disclosure of corporate income tax information. This article outlines disagreements with Strauss’ views, and argues in favor of public disclosure. The article first discusses debate over a public disclosure law in Massachusetts, and the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Next, the article discusses which companies should be subject to public disclosure. The article advocates not only that publicly traded companies be subject to such requirements, but also some large privately held corporations. The article further disagrees with Strauss’ statutory interpretation of a provision of the Internal Revenue Code regarding public disclosure. Finally, the article addresses and debunks arguments that disclosure would harm a state’s business climate; knowledge of past data will not unfairly aid competitors not subject to public disclosure. The article concludes by advocating for a more open government via state corporate tax disclosure.
The Unexpected Virgin: The Perpetual Succession Crisis of Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I’s unexpectedness preceded her birth in 1533, resumed from her bastardization in 1536 through her accession in 1558, and influenced her policies throughout her reign. As a moderate Protestant, she remained an unexpected and unaccepted heir to Catholics who preferred her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots and to Puritans desiring further reform of the church. This, combined with her refusal to marry and her unwillingness to name an heir, led to Catholic plots, sectarian rejection of the royal supremacy, and war with Spain . Perhaps most unexpected is that Elizabeth survived these threats, as well as her councilors’ and parliaments’ expectation that she would bend to their will, to be celebrated as England’s greatest and most successful monarch.
Life Expectancy Gains for Patients with ESRD

Mortality rates have been declining among patients with ESRD in the United States over the last two decades, particularly when the changing demographic characteristics of the ESRD population are taken into account ([1][1]). The decline in mortality rate (increase in life expectancy) has been
Evaluation of the rainfall nowcasting system for a dense radar network over dallas-fort worth (DFW)

Urban flash floods can occur immediately after heavy rainfall due to urban characteristics including impervious surface and complex drainage systems. Early warnings of such events, even by 5–10 min, are crucial in terms of protecting personal and property safety. Since 2012, the center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of Atmosphere (CASA), in collaboration with the National Weather Service (NWS) and North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), has initiated the effort to deploy a dense radar network in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) for urban weather disaster detection and mitigation [1, 2]. The DFW Metroplex is one of the largest inland metropolitan areas in the U.S., and is also among the fastest growing major urban areas in the country. Every year the DFW area experiences a wide range of natural hazardous weather events including high wind, flash flood, tornado, and hail, etc. [2]. It is an ideal location to demonstrate the application of dense radar network for urban weather sensing and disaster management. As shown in Figure 1, centered in the DFW urban remote sensing network is the deployment of a NWS S-band radar system and eight dual-polarization X-band radars that can provide coverage to most of the 6.5 million people in this region. Based primarily on these radars, a number of product systems have been developed for real time warning operations, including the real-time multiple Doppler wind retrieval system [3], quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) [4, 5, 6] and nowcast system.
Management update of potentially premalignant oral epithelial lesions

The term oral potentially malignant disorders, proposed at the World Health Organization workshop in 2005, has now been renamed potentially premalignant oral epithelial lesions (PPOELs). It is important to differentiate among PPOELs, which is a broad term to define a wide variety of clinical lesions, and oral epithelial dysplasia, which should be reserved specifically for lesions with biopsy-proven foci of dysplasia. PPOELs encompass lesions that include leukoplakia, erythroplakia, erythroleukoplakia, lichen planus, and oral submucous fibrosis. The primary goal of management of dysplasia includes prevention, early detection, and treatment before malignant transformation. The aim of this article is to inform the clinician about management of PPOELs.
Auditory Physiology and Psychology

“Music listening” is a metonymy of understanding music: For all participants, the ear functions as an interface for perceiving music between physical, psychological, and mathematical reality. But a metonymy is not the matter as such. This is what deaf Beethoven teaches us impressively: his innermost ear was an organ of imagination that was uncoupled from the material ear. And the physiology of the hearing process teaches us that the neural coupling of the ear to the respective cortical regions is extremely complex and still hardly understood. Section B.1 is written to give an overview on auditory physiology.
Preliminary research on thesaurus-based query expansion for Twitter data extraction

With the increasing popularity of microblogging and social media platforms like Twitter, researchers are trying to make use of the massive amount of user-created data to explore new applications/tools. Success of research in data science is highly dependent on the amount and type of data collected. For this effort, a thesaurus-based query expansion technique from information retrieval will be used to extract additional Twitter data. Though there has been research in this general area, our effort concentrates on applying a thesaurus-based query expansion for Twitter retrieval. Experiments are performed to collect Twitter data using the proposed approach for query terms related to disaster situations like hurricanes and shootings. We observed an increase of 32% in tweets received for the Hurricane Harvey event, and a 131% increase in the volume of tweets for a query related to the Vegas shooting incidence using the thesaurus-based query expansion approach.
MtDetector: A High-performance Marine Traffic Detector at Stream Scale

In this paper, we present MtDetector, a high performance marine traffic detector that can predict the destination and the arrival time of travelling vessels. MtDetector accepts streaming data reported by the moving vessels and generates continuous predictions of the arrival port and arrival time for those vessels. To predict the destination for a ship, MtDetector builds a neural network for every port and infers the arrival port for vessels based on their departure port. For the arrival time prediction, we derive informative features from training data and apply Deep Neural Network (DNN) to estimate the traveling time. MtDetector is built on top of DtCraft [1,2], a high-performance distributed execution engine for stream programming. By utilizing the task-based parallelism in DtCraft, MtDetector can process multiple predictions concurrently to achieve high throughput and low latency.
On the problem of stochastic decisions with backward stochastic viability property

In this paper, we consider a stochastic decision problem for a system governed by a stochastic differential equation, in which an optimal decision is made so as to minimize a vector-valued accumulated cost over a finite-time horizon that is associated with the solution of a certain multi-dimensional backward stochastic differential equation (BSDE). Here, we also assume that the solution for such a multi-dimensional BSDE almost surely satisfies a backward stochastic viability property with respect to a given closed convex set. Moreover, under certain conditions, we establish the existence of an optimal solution, in the sense of viscosity solutions, to the associated system of semilinear parabolic partial differential equations.
Continuous Real-Time Tracking of a Quantum Phase Below the Standard Quantum Limit

We propose a scheme for continuously measuring the evolving quantum phase of a collective spin composed of $N$ pseudospins. Quantum nondemolition measurements of a lossy cavity mode interacting with an atomic ensemble are used to directly probe the phase of the collective atomic spin without converting it into a population difference. Unlike traditional Ramsey measurement sequences, our scheme allows for real-time tracking of time-varying signals. As a bonus, spin-squeezed states develop naturally, providing real-time phase estimation significantly more precise than the standard quantum limit of $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}{\ensuremath{\phi}}_{\mathrm{SQL}}=1/\sqrt{N}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{rad}$.