cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic nicotine administration exacerbates tau pathology in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease

A1-40 and A1-42 remained unaltered (10, 11). These results suggest that nicotine could be used as a possible anti-AD agent. However, the animal model used in this study does not develop tau pathology, and the effects of nicotine administration on this critical neuropathological hallmark could not be addressed. In fact, the effects of nicotine on tau pathology have not been studied in vivo, and to date only two in vitro studies have investigated the relation- ship between nicotinic receptors and tau pathology. Both studies found that nicotine increases tau phosphorylation in SH-SY5Y and SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells and in hippocampal synaptosomes (12, 13). In particular, Wang et al. (13) showed that application of nicotine or A1-42 are equally effective at increasing tau phosphor- ylation in systems enriched in 7nAChRs, such as hippocampal synaptosomes. However, application of nicotine or A1-42 to sys- tems containing low levels of 7nAChRs failed to increase tau phosphorylation, leading the authors to conclude that 7nAChRs mediate A-induced tau pathology (13). To determine the role of nAChRs in the pathogenesis of AD, we monitored steady-state levels of this receptor subtype in the CNS of 3xTg-AD mice, in which both plaques and tangles develop in a regional and age-dependent manner (14, 15). Here, we report a selective loss of nAChRs in brain regions containing plaques and tangles. We also examined the effect of chronic nicotine adminis- tration on the onset of A and tau pathology in young, prepatho- logic 3xTg-AD mice. We report that SDS-soluble A levels were unaffected by this treatment, consistent with prior findings (10, 11). However, this treatment significantly modulated the onset of the tau pathology, increasing tau hyperphosphorylation and aggrega- tion compared with age- and gender-matched control mice. The mechanism underlying the nicotine-dependent increase in tau phosphorylation is likely mediated by an increase in p38 activity, a Ca 2 -dependent kinase capable of phosphorylating tau in vivo (16, 17). These data show that nicotine exposure exacerbates tau pathology in vivo. Although the use of nicotinic receptor agonists may have a positive effect on reducing A plaque burden (11), the potential adverse effects on tau suggests that the use of nicotine as a possible therapeutic drug for AD should be carefully reevaluated.
Supranational Law - How the Move Toward Multilateral Solutions Is Changing the Character of "International" Law

Because of a dramatic increase in the role of international organizations and in the coverage of multilateral sets of rules over the past half-century, the traditional concept of international law - a set of rules governing relations between nation-states and emanating from their own free will - should be replaced by the broader concept of supranational law. This changed character of the international legal order does not mean, however, that these rules at the global level constitute any more mature or effective a legal system than the ones they supersede. Instead, supranational law is likely to remain incomplete, destined to continue stumbling along in the same way that traditional international law did. In other words, just because there are more players, more rules, and more referees in the "game" of international relations, the character of the game remains largely unchanged: the strongest players will still make most of the rules, supply most of the referees, and win most of the time. However, disaster might dictate a different result: just as the explosion of multilateralization that gave rise to supranational law beginning a half-century ago resulted from two world wars in quick succession, some similar global cataclysm of like dimension - a chilling prospect - might ignite another burst of enthusiasm for multilateral solutions, thus making supranational law more effective.
Coping, treatment planning, and treatment outcome: discussion.

The articles presented in this issue are discussed within the context of the general literature on coping and coping style. The focus of this special issue was to determine if these articles are both consistent with extant research and advance the field. We identify at least two general definitions of coping, as used in these articles. We refer to one definition as reflecting one's “coping style.” This is largely a descriptive concept and closely related to one's enduring behavioral traits. It is closely related to other personality characteristics such as introversion–extroversion, stability, etc. The other definition of “coping” in the literature is much more specific to stressful environments and to the changes noted in one's behavior and cognitions during times of stress, than the first definition. We refer to this broad stress response as one's “coping response.” Coping response, unlike coping style, includes both a cognitive and an affective component. We conclude that it may be advantageous to differentiate between these two broad definitions in future research. We also conclude that the articles in this issue provide information that advances the field's understanding of coping styles and coping responses. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol, 2003.
Measuring Network Parameters with Hardware Support

To provide good QoS in a computer network, robust means to measure essential network parameters are required. A multitude of options are available to perform this task. This report details our hardware implementation of three such schemes on FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays). The first scheme calculates the packet loss and one-way network delay using RTF over UDP; the second one uses the concept of TOPPs (Train of Packet Pairs) to measure the available bandwidth, and the third one is a partial implementation of TCP, which can be developed further to measure various parameters. Our analysis shows that these implementations can carry out efficient parameter measurements at reasonable hardware cost. In addition, experiments are used to compare three hashing schemes for storing TCP tuple information; real benchmarks are used.
Distributed data and computing system on an ROV designed for ocean science

MBARI is currently developing an electrically propelled remotely operated vehicle (ROV) designed to carry science payloads to 4000 meters ocean depth. Mission requirements for accurate navigation, precision maneuvering and extensive sensor capabilities place large demands on the data gathering and control system. The ROV must operate reliably in an extremely hostile ocean environment while retaining enough flexibility to support varied scientific missions for a decade or more. An ROV system architecture has been implemented that incorporates Hewlett Packard UNIX workstations, shipboard and vehicle mounted VMEbus and microcontroller based computers all linked to form a distributed data gathering and control network. In-water tests of the ROV have shown that a distributed, multiple processor system shows promise as a practical solution for interfacing the large number of sensors and actuators on a research ROV and provides considerable system adaptability. >
Total anterior corneal surface and epithelial stem cell harvesting: current microkeratomes and beyond

Currently, most corneal lamellar allografts are performed by manually dissecting donor corneoscleral material for transplantation. Manual dissection is technically challenging and time intensive, and excessive handling of tissue may decrease the likelihood of obtaining viable grafts. These mechanical factors, along with problems controlling immune rejection, have prevented limbal stem cell lamellar allografts in particular from becoming more widely used. Anterior lamellar keratoplasty is gaining in clinical importance and usage but is still only practiced by a limited number of surgeons. Recently, new mechanical and femtosecond laser microkeratomes have been adapted to harvest the anterior corneal surface, including the limbal stem cell region. Preliminary results have been encouraging and give hope that this technique may prove to be of benefit to patients in the future.
Light Environment and Leaf Characteristics Affect Distribution of Corythuca arcuata (Hemiptera: Tingidae)

Insect herbivore abundances on host plants are influenced by both plant traits and the physical environment in which that plant grows. This study examined the role of the physical light environment and foliage characteristics in determining abundance of the lacebug Corythuca arcuata Say (Hemiptera: Tingidae) on Quercus alba L. I censused adult C. arcuata across a growing season, quantified leaf characteristics, and measured canopy cover over understory branches of mature Q. alba. Using an information-theoretic approach, a priori hypotheses of the relationship between light, plant traits, and C. arcuata abundance was evaluated. Abundance was best predicted by light environment and carbon content. Adult C. arcuata prefer trees growing under an open canopy and trees with low carbon content; abundance also positively correlated with leaf water content. Although carbon and water did not vary with light in this study, low carbon and high water content are often associated with shadier conditions, suggesting that C. arcuata faces a trade-off between preferences for physical habitat conditions and host plant characteristics.
On the Well-Definedness of the Order of an Ordinary Differential Equation.

It is proved that if the differential equations y ( n )=f(x, y, y′, …, y ( n −1 )) and y ( m )=g(x, y, y′, …, y ( n −1 )) have the same particular solutions in a suitable region where f and g are continuous real-valued functions with continuous partial derivatives (alternatively, continuous functions satisfying the classical Lipschitz condition), then n = m and the functions f and g are equal. This note could find classroom use in a course on differential equations as enrichment material for the unit on the existence and uniqueness theorems for solutions of initial value problems.
Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Response to Changes in Ecological Parameters Across an Urban Gradient

Abstract Understanding the changes in biodiversity correlated with urbanization is essential for monitoring the complex effects of human activity on native ecosystems. We hypothesized that the Drosophila community native to temperate woodland forests would change along a gradient of urbanization, and could therefore serve as a model system in studies on urbanization. We used an urbanization gradient we had previously characterized in Southwest Ohio. Community composition gradually changed along the gradient, although community diversity did not. Abundance varied significantly among sites, with one species, Drosophila melanogaster, increasing in abundance from the least to the most urbanized sites. We used 28 parameters from three sets of environmental data—land cover, vegetation, and temperature and humidity—to build a model with Canonical Correspondence Analysis and characterize the species-environment relationship. The most predictive variables explaining the distribution of the Drosophila community wer...
Pediatric Orthopedic Deformities: Basic Science, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Frederic Shapiro. San Diego: Academic Press; 2001. 953 pages. $169.95. Pediatric Orthopedic Deformities: Basic Science, Diagnosis, and Treatment, by Frederic Shapiro, MD, is a 953page book that documents a career devoted to the study and understanding of bone growth and development. The focus of …
Dietary Uptake of Cu Sorbed to Hydrous Iron Oxide is Linked to Cellular Toxicity and Feeding Inhibition in a Benthic Grazer.

Whereas feeding inhibition caused by exposure to contaminants has been extensively documented, the underlying mechanism(s) are less well understood. For this study, the behavior of several key feeding processes, including ingestion rate and assimilation efficiency, that affect the dietary uptake of Cu were evaluated in the benthic grazer Lymnaea stagnalis following 4–5 h exposures to Cu adsorbed to synthetic hydrous ferric oxide (Cu–HFO). The particles were mixed with a cultured alga to create algal mats with Cu exposures spanning nearly 3 orders of magnitude at variable or constant Fe concentrations, thereby allowing first order and interactive effects of Cu and Fe to be evaluated. Results showed that Cu influx rates and ingestion rates decreased as Cu exposures of the algal mat mixture exceeded 104 nmol/g. Ingestion rate appeared to exert primary control on the Cu influx rate. Lysosomal destabilization rates increased directly with Cu influx rates. At the highest Cu exposure where the incidence of lysos...
Phonon-assisted nonlinear optical processes in ultrashort-pulse pumped optical parametric amplifiers

Optically active phonon modes in ferroelectrics such as potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) and potassium titanyl arsenate (KTA) in the ~7-20 THz range play an important role in applications of these materials in Raman lasing and terahertz wave generation. Previous studies with picosecond pulse excitation demonstrated that the interaction of pump pulses with phonons can lead to efficient stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) accompanying optical parametric oscillation or amplification processes (OPO/OPA), and to efficient polariton-phonon scattering. In this work, we investigate the behavior of infrared OPAs employing KTP or KTA crystals when pumped with ~800-nm ultrashort pulses of duration comparable to the oscillation period of the optical phonons. We demonstrate that under conditions of coherent impulsive Raman excitation of the phonons, when the effective χ((2)) nonlinearity cannot be considered instantaneous, the parametrically amplified waves (most notably, signal) undergo significant spectral modulations leading to an overall redshift of the OPA output. The pump intensity dependence of the redshifted OPA output, the temporal evolution of the parametric gain, as well as the pump spectral modulations suggest the presence of coupling between the nonlinear optical polarizations P(NL) of the impulsively excited phonons and those of parametrically amplified waves.
Energy harvesting via ferrofluidic induction

A series of experiments were conducted to investigate and characterize the concept of ferrofluidic induction - a process for generating electrical power via cyclic oscillation of ferrofluid (iron-based nanofluid) through a solenoid. Experimental parameters include: number of bias magnets, magnet spacing, solenoid core, fluid pulse frequency and ferrofluid-particle diameter. A peristaltic pump was used to cyclically drive two aqueous ferrofluids, consisting of 7-10 nm iron-oxide particles and commercially-available hydroxyl-coated magnetic beads (~800 nm), respectively. The solutions were pulsated at 3, 6, and 10 Hz through 3.2 mm internal diameter Tygon tubing. A 1000 turn copper-wire solenoid was placed around the tube 45 cm away from the pump. The experimental results indicate that the ferrofluid is capable of inducing a maximum electric potential of approximately +/- 20 μV across the solenoid during its cyclic passage. As the frequency of the pulsating flow increased, the ferro-nanoparticle diameter increased, or the bias magnet separation decreased, the induced voltage increased. The type of solenoid core material (copper or plastic) did not have a discernible effect on induction. These results demonstrate the feasibility of ferrofluidic induction and provide insight into its dependence on fluid/flow parameters. Such fluidic/magneto-coupling can be exploited for energy harvesting and/or conversion system design for a variety of applications.
Local Non-Affine Deformations and Fiber Kinematics of Elastomeric Electrospun Scaffolds

For most tissue engineering applications that seek to generate tissue de novo, the scaffold is the first step in a series of important developmental considerations. Whether synthetic or natural, scaffolds developed for immediate in vivo use must have mechanical properties comparable to the native tissue for at least the minimum time necessary for the accompanying seeded cells, and eventual cells that migrate in, to lay down an equivalent supporting matrix. Scaffolds developed for the purpose of growing a tissue in vitro, with eventual in vivo use, need not necessarily meet these mechanical requirements. However, to better develop new tissues in bioreactors or in vivo, it is pertinent to understand how the fiber network changes under some regimen of mechanical load, in essence to understand what the cell witnesses within the scaffold. Extending our previous work, which focused on measuring and modeling the mechanical response of electrospun poly ester urethane urea (es-PEUU) scaffolds [1], we investigated the intricate and detailed es-PEUU fiber networks that are created during scaffold synthesis and how these networks change under various levels of strain. Specifically, we focused on several scaffold responses to strain:1) Characteristics of fiber tortuosity, which when increased can yield delayed onset of scaffold stiffness as well as other varying mechanical responses.2) Fiber splay, which determines the orientation of the all fibers within the scaffold.3) Local vs global strain analysis to determine whether the scaffolds follow affine or non-affine deformations.4) Fiber strain, to investigate how increasing levels of scaffold strain are transmitted to local fibers.5) Changes in fiber tortuosity and overall fiber directions under strain.© 2007 ASME
Method for Determination of Phenylalanine Mustard and Related Alkylating Agents in Blood.

SummaryA procedure for estimation of PAM and related alkylating agents in blood by its reaction with NBP is given. This procedure is applicable for study of the reaction with and persistence in blood of these agents in vitro and in perfusion systems.
Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Etherification Using Chiral Biphenol-Based Diphosphinite Ligands and Its Application for The Formal Total Synthesis of (−)-Galanthamine

A library of novel chiral biphenol-based diphosphinite (BOP) ligands was designed and created. These BOP ligands were applied to a Pd-catalyzed intermolecular allylic etherification reaction, which provided a key intermediate for the formal total synthesis of (−)-galanthamine with 97% ee in 97% yield.
Mechanism of Purine Arabinoside Synthesis by Bacterial Transarabinosylation Reaction

The mechanism of purine arabinoside synthesis from uracil arabinoside and purine bases via the bacterial transarabinosylation reaction was investigated. Arabinose-1-phosphate was isolated from the reaction mixture in the form of the barium salt and proved to be the intermediate of the reaction. Two enzyme fractions were obtained from Enterobacter aerogenes by means of heat treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. One enzyme split uracil arabinoside into uracil and arabinose-1-phosphate in the presence of inorganic phosphate and the other synthesized hypoxanthine arabinoside from arabinose-1-phosphate and hypoxanthine. The substrate specificity of these enzymes indicated that the former was uridine phosphorylase and the latter was purine nucleoside phosphorylase, respectively. Hypoxanthine arabinoside was synthesized from uracil arabinoside and hypoxanthine only in the presence of both enzymes and inorganic phosphate.
Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus using Amplatzer duct occluder

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficiency and immediate results of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) using Amplatzer duct occluder(ADO) device Methods 26 patients with PDA were treated with transcatheter closure using ADO Each PDA was occluded through the venous side using a 6F long sheath to deliver the ADO Results The device was placed successfully in all patients Angiography showed that 16 patients(61%) had complete immediate closure, 8(31%) had a trace residual shunt, and 2(8%) had a small residual shunt Within 48 hours, color Doppler revealed complete closure in 24 patients(92%), a trace residual shunt in 2(8%) One patient developed hemolysis 17 hours after the procedure and surgical closure of the ductus arteriosus was subsequently performed 54 hours after the procedure Conclusion Transcatheter closure using ADO is an efficient and safe interventional procedure for patients with PDA
Capturing the economic value of biological control in western tree fruit

Abstract The economic value of biological control in apple in central Washington and pear in northern Oregon was estimated by comparing pest management programs following practices thought to reduce negative impacts on natural enemies to programs following traditional practices. Pest management costs in three apple orchards that had transitioned to the use of codling moth mating disruption (CMMD) plus reduced-risk or organophosphate-alternative pesticides were compared with four orchards that had not adopted these practices. Pest management costs in five pear orchards using CMMD were compared to four orchards not using CMMD. In both cropping systems the impact of pest management programs on biological control was determined by the need to use pesticides to control secondary pests, aphids and spider mites in apple and spider mites and pear psylla in pear. The disruptive nature of pesticides was categorized into four levels from none (0) to high (4) based on data presented by Mills et al. (2016) and Beers et al. (2016), as well as other published information. Some reduced-risk and OP-alternative pesticides proved detrimental to natural enemies and disruptive of biological control in apple and pear. In apple, the use of pesticides with low risk to natural enemies reduced the need to apply controls for secondary pests. In pear, the use of CMMD reduced the need to control secondary pests, spider mites and pear psylla, in summer. The use of pesticides with a high risk to natural enemies increased the cost of secondary pest control by about 50% in apple and pear. A stepwise increase in natural enemy risk values increased total pest management costs by $46/ha in natural enemy unfavorable apple orchards and by $44/ha in pear orchards not using codling moth mating disruption.
Metabolism of Intact and Desialylated α1-Antitrypsin

1. To study the metabolism of α1-antitrypsin in man, radioiodinated purified α1-antitrypsin of protease inhibitor type MM was injected intravenously into seven normal volunteer subjects of protease inhibitor type MM and plasma and urine radioactivity data were analysed. The purified glycoprotein inhibited trypsin and exhibited micro-heterogeneity characteristic of α1-antitrypsin on acid starch-gel electrophoresis. 2. The intravascular mass was 116 ± 16.1 mg/kg (mean ± sem); extravascular/intravascular pool ratio was 1.07 ± 0.067; the fractional catabolic rate was 33.3 ± 1.37% of the intravascular pool/day; half-life was 4.6 ± 0.21 days; synthetic rate was 33.8 ± 6.3 mg day−1 kg−1. 3. The data indicated that the serum concentration of α1-antitrypsin varies independently of its fractional catabolic rate and that it is catabolized in, or in close relationship to, the intravascular compartment. 4. Plasma curves of protein-bound radioactivity were also defined after the intravenous administration of 131I-labelled desialylated α1-antitrypsin to two additional subjects. The fractional plasma disappearance rates were approximately 150 times as great as those for the intact protein. The rapid disappearance of 131I-labelled desialylated α1-antitrypsin from plasma coincided with an equally rapid uptake of radioactivity by the liver. 5. The results are compatible with the existence of receptor sites for desialylated glycoproteins in the surface membrane of human hepatocytes and emphasize that the catabolism of α1-antitrypsin can be influenced by the structure of its carbohydrate moiety.
TMAC: A Toolbox of Modern Async-Parallel, Coordinate, Splitting, and Stochastic Methods

TMAC is a toolbox written in C++11 that implements algorithms based on a set of modern methods for large-scale optimization. It covers a variety of optimization problems, which can be both smooth and nonsmooth, convex and nonconvex, as well as constrained and unconstrained. The algorithms implemented in TMAC, such as the coordinate up- date method and operator splitting method, are scalable as they decompose a problem into simple subproblems. These algorithms can run in a multi-threaded fashion, either synchronously or asynchronously, to take advantages of all the cores available. TMAC architecture mimics how a scientist writes down an optimization algorithm. Therefore, it is easy for one to obtain a new algorithm by making simple modifications such as adding a new operator and adding a new splitting, while maintaining the multicore parallelism and other features. The package is available at this https URL.
LYMPHOCYTIC THYROIDITIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED NUMBER OF BENIGN CERVICAL NODES AND FEWER CENTRAL NECK COMPARTMENT METASTATIC LYMPH NODES IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENTIATED THYROID CANCER

Objective: Whether or not autoimmune thyroid disease influences the progression of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) remains controversial. Findings of previous studies are influenced by lead time bias and/or procedure bias selection. These biases can be reduced by studying a single-institution patient population that underwent a similar extent of surgical resection. Methods: From a cohort of 660 patients with DTC who underwent thyroidectomy, we retrospectively studied 357 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and central compartment node dissection (CCND) for DTC between 2003 and 2013. Results: Forty-one percent (140/345) of study patients had lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT), and 30% (91/301) had serum positive for thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb). LT was reported in 78% of the TgAb-positive cases. Sixty percent (213/357) of cases had metastatic thyroid carcinoma in 1 or more neck lymph nodes (55% [198/357] central compartment, and 22% [77/356] lateral compartment). Patients with LT had fewer metastatic...
Methods for handling missing data

Chapter 14 is devoted to the description of various models and methods for handling missing data. First, I supply the mathematical definitions of three missing-data mechanisms: missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random (MAR), and missing not at random (MNAR). While MCAR and MAR are ignorable, MNAR cannot be ignored in performing longitudinal data analysis. Next, a variety of methods handling missing at random are introduced, including some simplistic approaches (such as list-wise deletion, mean substitution, and hot deck imputation), the last observation carried forward approach, and multiple imputations. Lastly, three statistical models for handling MNAR are delineated: the two-step parametric selection model, pattern-mixture modeling, and the two-stage nonparametric mixed model. An empirical example is provided to illustrate and compare those three methods. It is displayed that the selection model only has a very limited capacity to handle non-ignorable missing data, whereas the pattern-mixture and the nonparametric models are promising approaches for handling MNAR.
Denis de Rougemont

Studium der Philosophie in Neuchâtel/Neuenburg und Paris, wo er sich einer Gruppe von intellektuellen Nonkonformisten anschloss; 1940–1947 Dozent in den USA; Grunder und Leiter des ›Centre Europeen de la Culture‹ in Genf; 1952–1956 Prasident des Exekutivkomitees des ›Congres pour la Liberte de la Culture‹; Arbeiten zum Existenzialismus und zur zeitgenossischen Bewusstseinskrise, kulturwissenschaftliche Studien.
Identifying cancer type specific oncogenes and tumor suppressors using limited size data.

Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous genetic disease. Different mutations and dysregulated molecular mechanisms alter the pathways that lead to cell proliferation. In this paper, we explore a method which classifies genes into oncogenes (ONGs) and tumor suppressors. We optimize this method to identify specific (ONGs) and tumor suppressors for breast cancer, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), using data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). A set of genes were previously classified as ONGs and tumor suppressors across multiple cancer types (Science 2013). Each gene was assigned an ONG score and a tumor suppressor score based on the frequency of its driver mutations across all variants from the catalogue of somatic mutations in cancer (COSMIC). We evaluate and optimize this approach within different cancer types from TCGA. We are able to determine known driver genes for each of the four cancer types. After establishing the baseline parameters for...
Hydrogen energy system for sustainability

Fossil fuels (i.e., petroleum, natural gas and coal), which meet most of the world energy demand today, are being depleted fast. Also, their combustion products are causing the global problems, such as the greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion, acid rains and pollution, which we are posing great danger for our environment and eventually for the life in our planet. Many engineers and scientists agree that the solution to these global problems would be to replace the existing fossil fuel system by the Hydrogen Energy System. Hydrogen is a very efficient and clean fuel. Its combustion will produce no greenhouse gases, no ozone layer depleting chemicals, little or no acid rain ingredients and pollution. Hydrogen, produced from renewable energy (e.g., solar) sources, would result in a permanent energy system, which we shall never have to change. However, there are other energy systems proposed for the post-petroleum era, such as a synthetic fossil fuel system. In this system, synthetic gasoline and synthetic natural gas will be produced using abundant deposits of coal. In a way, this will ensure the continuation of the present fossil fuel system. The two possible energy systems for the post-fossil fuel era (i.e., the solar hydrogen energy system and the synthetic fossil fuel system) are compared with the present fossil fuel system by taking into consideration production costs, environmental damages and utilization efficiencies. The results indicate that the solar hydrogen energy system is the best energy system to ascertain a sustainable future.
Perfluoroalkyl Chemicals, Menstrual Cycle Length, and Fecundity: Findings from a Prospective Pregnancy Study.

Background:Perfluoroalkyl substances have been associated with changes in menstrual cycle characteristics and fecundity, when modeled separately. However, these outcomes are biologically related, and we evaluate their joint association with exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances.Methods:We recruited
Supporting Integrated MAC and PHY Software Development for the USRP SDR

Software Defined Radios (SDR) offer great runtime flexibility both at the physical and MAC layer. This makes them an attractive platform for the development of cognitive radios that can adapt to changes in channel conditions, traffic load, and user requirements. However, to realize this goal, we need a software framework that supports both MAC protocol and PHY layer development in an integrated fashion. In this paper we report on our experience in using two different software frameworks for integrated PHY-MAC development for SDRs: GNU Radio, which was originally designed to support PHY layer development, and Click, a framework for protocol development. We also discuss a number of broader system considerations, such as what functionality should be offloaded to the SDR device.
A novel thyroid cancer nodal map classification system to facilitate nodal localization and surgical management: The A to D map

Objectives/Hypothesis To evaluate the effectiveness, reproducibility, and usability of our proposed nodal nomenclature and classification system employed for several years in our high-volume thyroid cancer unit, for the adequate localization and mapping of lymph nodes in thyroid cancer patients with extensive nodal disease. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods Thirty-three thyroid cancer patients with extensive nodal disease treated from January 2004 to May 2013 were included in our study. Preoperative ultrasound and computed tomography scans of these patients were reanalyzed by blinded radiologists to investigate the feasibility for the assignment of abnormal lymph nodes to compartments defined in our proposed nodal classification system and to identify areas of difficulty in the assignment. Results Analysis of nodal localization revealed a discrepancy in compartment agreement between the two radiologists in the assignment of abnormal nodes in nine patients (9/33, 27%). In six patients (6/33, 18%), discrepancy existed in labeling paratracheal and pretracheal nodes. In three patients (3/33, 9%), disagreement arose in the classification of retrocarotid nodes into lateral versus central compartment. A further refinement of the definition of key borderline regions of the pretracheal versus paratracheal and retrocarotid regions of our classification improved the agreement and demonstrated a complete concordance (100%) amongst the reviewing radiologists. Conclusions The proposed nodal classification system, derived specifically for differentiated thyroid carcinoma, with readily identifiable anatomic boundaries on imaging and at surgery, facilitates communication among multidisciplinary physicians and aids in creating a uniform and reproducible radiographic nodal map to guide surgical therapy. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 127:2429–2436, 2017
176. Novel Molecules That Enhance Adenovirus Transduction of the Airway Epithelium: Reinvigorating Adenovirus-Mediated Gene Therapy

Adenovirus remains the most common vector system used in gene therapy clinical trials worldwide and several adenoviral vectors show promise in phase III clinical trials. One major limitation to the efficacy of adenovirus-mediated gene therapy is low transduction due to the limited primary receptor availability in most tissues. Interventions able to boost adenovirus transduction would have significant implications for both improving transduction and lowering the viral dose below the immunogenic threshold. Most human and several key animal adenoviruses share a common receptor with group B coxsackieviruses named the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR). CAR has several alternatively spliced isoforms. We have recently discovered that the eight-exon isoform (CAREx8) can specifically localize to the apical membrane of polarized primary human airway epithelia where it can mediate apical adenovirus infection. Moreover, we have discovered that CAREx8 is both positively and negatively regulated by the cellular scaffolding protein MAGI-1. We hypothesized that cell permeable decoy peptides targeting the interaction between MAGI-1 and CAREx8 would increase CAREx8 protein levels and increase AdV transduction. Tat-conjugated peptide entry into polarized epithelia was confirmed by mass spectrometry and fluorescence microscopy. Relative to control, peptides increased the levels of CAREx8 at the apical surface of polarized epithelia and significantly increased AdV entry and transduction, as measured by apical surface biotinylation, qPCR, and AdV5-β-Gal transduction. Moreover, AdV5 transduction was increased by 300-500% after intranasal peptide administration in mice demonstrating in vivo activity. To determine the mechanism of action, we followed the synthesis and co-localization of CAREx8 with key molecules in the cellular ER-Golgi-vesicular trafficking pathways. We found that CAREx8 was in compartments distinct from MAGI-1 and spread throughout the apical trafficking pathway and at the apical surface of the epithelium. Removal of the peptides reversed both the amount and localization of CAREx8 and returned the susceptibility of the epithelium to baseline. Taken together, these data indicate that decoy peptides able to block the MAGI-1-CAREx8 interaction transiently increase adenovirus-mediated gene transfer and offer the potential to increase the efficacy of adenovirus-mediated gene therapy.
Strategy and technology to recycle wafer-silicon solar modules

Abstract A major obstacle to sustainable solar technologies is end-of-life solar modules. In this paper, a recycling process is proposed for wafer-Si modules. It is a three-step process to break down Si modules and recover various materials, leaving behind almost nothing for landfill. Two new technologies are demonstrated to enable the proposed recycling process. One is sequential electrowinning which allows multiple metals to be recovered one by one from Si modules, Ag, Pb, Sn and Cu. The other is sheet resistance monitoring which maximizes the amount of solar-grade Si recovered from Si modules. The purity of the recovered metals is above 99% and the recovered Si meets the specifications for solar-grade Si. The recovered Si and metals are new feedstocks to the solar industry and generate $11–12.10/module in revenue. This revenue enables a profitable recycling business for Si modules without any government support. The chemicals for recycling are carefully selected to minimize their environmental impact. A network for collecting end-of-life solar modules is proposed based on the current distribution network for solar modules to contain the collection cost. As a result, the proposed recycling process for wafer-Si modules is technically, environmentally and financially sustainable.
Investigating the Histone Replacement Pathway in Sperm Using TPM

DNA is folded in drastically different ways in somatic cells and sperm cells. In somatic cells, DNA is wrapped around histone proteins and remains accessible for transcription and replication. However, in sperm cells, DNA is dramatically condensed into a toroid structure when the histones are replaced by protamine proteins. Here, we investigate the process of histone replacement by protamine using tethered particle motion (TPM). TPM measurements are ideal for looking at DNA folding since measurements are taken at zero force.
Policy Mobilities and the Bid

This chapter examines how political strategies and policy knowledge travel across cities bidding for the Olympics. It introduces urban studies scholarship on “policy mobilities”—interurban flows of expertise, knowledge, and models. This chapter focuses on the role of the bid consulting industry in facilitating policy mobilities, seen particularly in the mobility of expertise surrounding urban technology, sustainability, and urban architecture and design. This chapter argues that policy mobilities are driven by import imperatives (e.g., the need for cities to hire international experts when designing their bids) and by export imperatives (e.g., the desire to legitimate local projects by linking them to globally replicable policy models or templates).
The influence of the hippocampus and declarative memory on word use: Patients with amnesia use less imageable words

Hippocampal functioning contributes to our ability to generate multifaceted, imagistic event representations. Patients with hippocampal damage produce event narratives that contain fewer details and fewer imagistic features. We hypothesized that impoverished memory representations would influence language at the word level, yielding words lower in imageability and concreteness. We tested this by examining language produced by patients with bilateral hippocampal damage and severe declarative memory impairment, and brain-damaged and healthy comparison groups. Participants described events from the real past, imagined past, imagined present, and imagined future. We analyzed the imageability and concreteness of words used. Patients with amnesia used words that were less imageable than those of comparison groups across time periods, even when accounting for the amount of episodic detail in narratives. Moreover, all participants used words that were relatively more imageable when discussing real past events than other time periods. Taken together, these findings suggest that the memory that we have for an event affects how we talk about that event, and this extends all the way to the individual words that we use.
Effect of solid electrolyte interphase on the reactivity of polysulfide over lithium-metal anode

Abstract Lithium metal anodes covered by a thin (6–10 A) solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film at its initial nucleation stage modeled as a single component (Li2O, LiF, Li2SO4, and Li3N) are examined with density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The combined metal anode/SEI surfaces are exposed to an electrolyte containing salt, solvent, and lithium polysulfides. The polysulfide species are found to be easily reduced by the metal slab, even in the presence of the model SEI films. Although the chemical nature of the film and geometry of the exposed facet induces different decomposition kinetics, the reaction mechanisms are shown to be similar for the various SEI models, and end with the formation of Li2S on the surface of the anode or inside the SEI film. The density of states of the films at this nascent stage of SEI formation in contact with the Li metal surface are very different than those of the bulk crystals, usually showing new intermediate states between the metal and conduction bands, which suggests a change to an electronically conductive character that favors continuous reactivity.
Change patterns of instrumental support from adult children and grandchildren among rural Chinese grandparents

Using change scores of adjacent waves from 4 waves of data from the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province of China, this study aimed to examine the change patterns of instrumental su...
Racial Gerrymandering of Municipal Borders: Direct Democracy, Participatory Democracy, and Voting Rights in the United States

As cities expand their jurisdictional borders via the process of municipal annexation, they sometimes leave low-income and minority enclaves perpetually excluded on the urban fringe, a process know...
Paenibacillus maysiensis sp. nov., a Nitrogen-Fixing Species Isolated from the Rhizosphere Soil of Maize.

A novel bacterium SX-49T with nitrogen-fixing capability was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of maize. Phylogenetic analysis of nifH gene fragment and 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain SX-49T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. Values of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were highest between SX-49T and P. jamilae DSM 13815T (97.0%), P. brasiliensis DSM 14914T (97.8%), P. polymyxa DSM 36T (97.5%), and P. terrae DSM 15891T (98.8%). The similarity between SX-49T and other Paenibacillus species was < 97.0%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain SX-49T and the four type strains were P. jamilae DSM 13815T: 40.6%, P. brasiliensis DSM 14914T: 27.9%, P. polymyxa DSM 36T: 29.2%, and P. terrae DSM 15891T: 66.4%. The DNA G+C content of SX-49T was 46.4 mol%. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, C16:0 and iso-C16:0. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The genome contains 5628 putative protein-coding sequences (CDS), 6 rRNAs and 56 tRNAs. The phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, DNA–DNA relatedness, and genome features suggest that SX-49T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, and the name Paenibacillus maysiensis sp. nov. is proposed.
Combining Perfusion and High B-value Diffusion MRI to Inform Prognosis and Predict Failure Patterns in Glioblastoma.

Purpose Advanced imaging modalities such as high b-value diffusion and dynamic contrast enhancement magnetic resonance imaging have the potential to improve the clinical management of glioblastoma by informing prognosis, predicting sites of progression, and guiding dose-escalated radiation to maximize tumor control and minimize toxicity. Methods and Materials Fifty-two patients with de novo glioblastoma underwent magnetic resonance imaging before chemoradiation therapy. Enhanced tumor volumes (TVs), excluding the surgical cavity, hypercellularity (TV HCV ) and increased cerebral blood volume (TV CBV ) were defined using conventional gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images, high b-value (3000 s/mm 2 ) diffusion-weighted images, and cerebral blood volume maps from T1-weighted dynamic contrast enhancement images, respectively. The image-phenotype TVs were analyzed for prediction of progression-free survival (Cox proportional hazard models), and sites of progression (pattern of failure tumor volume). Results The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the cohort was 13 months. The TV CBV and TV HCV were spatially distinct, with a mean overlap of only 21%. Univariate analysis showed that increasing age, decreasing radiation dose, larger TV HCV , and larger overlap of TV HCV and TV CBV were significantly associated with inferior PFS. Multivariate analysis identified that TV HCV was the most adversely prognostic imaging-defined variable. Enhanced TVs, excluding the surgical cavity, and the union of TV HCV and TV CBV showed a high likelihood of containing the pattern of failure tumor volume, and the volume composed of the intersection of TV HCV and TV CBV had an especially high likelihood of progression. Conclusions TV HCV and the overlap of TV HCV and TV CBV are prognostic for PFS. Combinations of gadolinium-enhanced TVs, TV CBV , and TV HCV could predict tumor progression locations better than could individual subvolumes. Radiation dose escalation to these subvolumes could be a promising therapeutic strategy.
Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.) litter fall response to selective pruning (Indian River Lagoon, Florida, U.S.A.)

This 33 month study quantified red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle L.) litter fall response to a selective pruning event using fringing forests located along the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, U.S.A. Selective pruning consisted of the removal of as many as 50% of the lateral branches originating between 2.1m (7ft) and 4.5m (15ft) above the forest floor while maintaining at least 50% of the forest canopy. Subcanopy light transmission data were used to estimate the impact of pruning on canopy closure and monthly measurements were obtained thereafter to monitor recovery. Estimates of litter fall were based upon biweekly sampling from ten 0.25 m2 traps randomly placed in four 5 × 10 m control and impact plots. Following selective pruning, subcanopy light transmission increased by more than 30%. This provided a favorable environment for enhanced mangrove propagule recruitment, but several exotic species, including Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), also invaded the forest beneath canopy gaps. Subcanopy light transmission within the impact plots has steadily declined since pruning and within 12 months had approached control plot levels. The results of our BACI impact assessment suggest mean forest litter fall production before and after pruning was not significantly different. However, inspection of the graphical output suggest all components of litter fall declined immediately after impact. Convergence towards pre-impact production levels took ∼6 months. Many mangrove forests in peninsular Florida are subjected to multiple pruning events or other forms of repeated mechanical alteration by homeowners who seek to maintain a scenic vista of the Indian River Lagoon or other coastal waterway. The cumulative effect of stress induced by repeated impact is unknown at present.
Inducing a visceral organ to protect a peripheral capillary bed: stabilizing hepatic HIF-1α prevents oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) can prevent oxygen-induced retinopathy in rodents. Here we demonstrate that dimethyloxaloylglycine (DMOG)-induced retinovascular protection is dependent on hepatic HIF-1 because mice deficient in liver-specific HIF-1α experience hyperoxia-induced damage even with DMOG treatment, whereas DMOG-treated wild-type mice have 50% less avascular retina ( P P