cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of distinct steps in the adipocyte differentiation pathway in 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO).

. The process of adipocyte differentiation in murine 3T3 T mesenchymal stem cells involves three well-defined steps: 1 predifferentiation growth arrest; 2 nonterminal (reversible) differentiation and 3 terminal differentiation associated with the irreversible loss of proliferative potential. To further investigate these processes, the effects of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), an agent that affects differentiation in several other cell systems, was tested. The results show that DMSO modulates two distinct steps of adipocyte differentiation. The first effect is evident when growing 3T3 T cells are cultured in differentiation-inducing medium in the presence of DMSO. Therein the expression of adipocyte phenotype is inhibited because the cells fail to growtharrest at the predifferentiation growth arrest state. Instead in the presence of DMSO, cells growth-arrest at a biological state that does not support differentiation. The second effect is evident if nonterminally differentiated adipocytes are cultured in terminal differentiation-inducing medium containing DMSO. Therein the terminal step in differentiation is inhibited. These inhibitory effects occur in a dosage-dependent manner; maximum inhibition of differentiation requires 2% DMSO. Therefore, whereas DMSO typically promotes differentiation in other cell systems, DMSO inhibits multiple steps in the process of adipocyte differentiation. These observations support the conclusion that a single pharmacological agent can have markedly different effects on specific cell types. Even more important, the data establish that DMSO can now be used as a tool to study the molecular mechanisms involved in the multistep process of adipocyte differentiation.
The Orexins/Hypocretins and Schizophrenia

Advances in molecular biology have led to new peptides and proteins being discovered on a regular basis, including the isolation of a number of neurotransmitter candidates. Rarely, however, do these immediately capture the attention of the scientific community. The isolation and characterization of the orexin/hypocretin peptides a decade ago resulted in a slew of studies that have helped clarified their diverse functions, including prominent roles in arousal and appetitive behavior. A number of recent studies have detailed the role of the orexins/hypocretins in attention and cognition and uncovered an involvement in schizophrenia and the mechanisms of action of antipsychotic drugs (APDs). This issue of Schizophrenia Bulletin presents several articles that review our current understanding and point to future directions for the study of the orexins/hypocretins in schizophrenia and APD actions.
Possibilities of Slip Modification in B2 NiAl

We discuss the possibilities of stabilizing (111) slip in NiAl based on recent results of the atomistic structure of dislocation cores in this material. In previous work it was found that the (111) complete dislocation is stable with respect to partials of 1/2 (111) Burgers vector. However, split configurations were found with a very similar energy. In particular, split configurations that are nearly planar were found, indicating that if this type of dislocation could be stabilized they would possibly result in ductile alloys. We discuss the possible effects of local disorder and deviations from stoichiometry on core structure concentrating on the objective of stabilizing (111)slip. Atomistic simulations performed to study these effects show that local compositional changes and disorder may have significant effects on the core structure. These effects are most important in the regions of the core where the point defects are localized and it is unlikely that such local changes could be used to successfully stabilize (111) slip. Furthermore, it is not clear whether local changes in ordering and compositional states can follow the dislocation as it moves during the deformation process. We therefore propose that the alloying efforts should be directed towards changing the APB energy of the NiAl-base alloy to a lower value.
The Effect of Stalin's Deportations on Distrust in Central Authority

We investigate the effect of deportations under Stalin on the long run distrust in central authority. In the Soviet Union about 2.8 million people of nine ethnic groups were deported by Stalin from their homelands to Siberia and Central Asia in the 1940s. Unlike other deported ethnic groups, Germans, Crimean Tatars and Turks-Meskhetians were not rehabilitated after Stalin’s death and stayed in the areas of their deportations till the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Using regional data from the 1991 referendum on the future of the Soviet Union and data from the Life in Transition survey, we find that deportations have a negative effect on trust in central authority. The long-term effect is stronger for unrehabilitated ethnic groups, especially Germans who were the most numerous deported ethnic group. The quantitative effect is significant: an increase in the share of deported Germans by 1% implies a decrease in the percentage of votes in favor of the Soviet Union in the referendum by 0.75% and a decrease in probability of trust in president by 5% nowadays.
Simulation of round beams

The results of a beam-beam simulation program employing round beams, being used in the design of a high-luminosity B-factory, are reported. Features of the program include the incorporation of synchrotron oscillations and disruption and an improved treatment of radiation damping and quantum fluctuations. The authors present and discuss some of the results of the simulation, including tune-shift limits and the onset of coherent motion. The results indicate that there is good reason to consider the use of round beams for high-luminosity storage rings. At present there are plans at Cornell to run tests with round beams at a beta * of around 20 cms. >
IntraChip Optical Networks for a Future Supercomputer-on-a-Chip

Si photonics for on- and off-chip communications in future multicore microprocessor chips is considered. Using 3D integration to combine an on-chip optical network plane with a separate microprocessor plane can significantly improve the performance/watt of multicore chips.
The use of actuarials at civil commitment hearings to predict the likelihood of future sexual violence.

Some have argued that actuarial methods such as the RRASOR, the MNSOST-R, and the Static-99, can outperform clinical judgments when utilized at a civil commitment hearing to make a prediction. Although actuarial data can be used to identify a group of persons to be considered for possible civil commitment, at present it cannot be used to accurately predict the likelihood of future acts of sexual violence with respect to any specific individual within such a group. For that reason, it might be best to restrict the use of actuarial data to the initial screening process, rather than introducing it at the commitment hearing itself.
World System History, The Papacy, and the Transition from Transitions

In a very controversial argument, Andre Gunder Frank suggested that scholars abandon ideas like ‘transitions’ and ‘modes of production’ in favor of more accurate, less Eurocentric concepts. This wo...
An Adaptive Sub-sampling Method for In-memory Compression of Scientific Data

A current challenge in scientific computing is how to curb the growth of simulation datasets without losing valuable information. While wavelet based methods are popular, they require that data be decompressed before it can analyzed,for example, when identifying time-dependent structures in turbulent flows. We present Adaptive Coarsening, an adaptive subsampling compression strategy that enables the compressed data product to be directly manipulated in memory without requiring costly decompression.We demonstrate compression factors of up to 8 in turbulent flow simulations in three dimensions.Our compression strategy produces a non-progressive multiresolution representation, subdividing the dataset into fixed sized regions and compressing each region independently.
Mosaicism for r(X) and der(X)del(X)(p11.23)dup(X)(p11.21p11.22) provides insight into the possible mechanism of rearrangement

We report a patient with a unique and complex cytogenetic abnormality involving mosaicism for a small ring X and deleted Xp derivative chromosome with tandem duplication at the break point. The patient presented with failure to thrive, muscular hypotonia, and minor facial anatomic anomalies, all concerning for Turner syndrome. Brain MRI revealed mild thinning of the corpus callosum, an apparent decrease in ventricular white matter volume, and an asymmetric myelination pattern. Array comparative genome hybridization analysis revealed mosaicism for the X chromosome, deletion of the short arm of an X chromosome, and a duplication of chromosome region Xp11.21-p11.22. G-banded chromosome and FISH analyses revealed three abnormal cell lines: 46,X,der(X)del(X)(p11.23)dup(X)(p11.21p11.22)/46,X,r(X)(q11.1q13.1)/45,X. The small ring X chromosome was estimated to be 5.2 Mb in size and encompassed the centromere and Xq pericentromeric region. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) studies demonstrated a skewed pattern suggesting that the ring X remained active, likely contributing to the observed clinical features of brain dysmyelination. We hypothesize that a prezygotic asymmetric crossing over within a loop formed during meiosis in an X chromosome with a paracentric inversion resulted in an intermediate dicentric chromosome. An uneven breakage of the dicentric chromosome in the early postzygotic period might have resulted in the formation of one cell line with the X chromosome carrying a terminal deletion and pericentromeric duplication of the short arm and the second cell line with the X chromosome carrying a complete deletion of Xp. The cell line carrying the deletion of Xp could have then stabilized through self-circularization and formation of the ring X chromosome.
Spectrum of color gene deletions and phenotype in patients with blue cone monochromacy.

Blue cone monochromacy (BCM) is an X-linked ocular disease characterized by poor visual acuity, nystagmus, and photodysphoria in males with severely reduced color discrimination. Deletions, rearrangements and point mutations in the red and green pigment genes have been implicated in causing BCM. We assessed the spectrum of genetic alterations in ten families with BCM by Southern blot, polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing analysis, and the phenotype was characterized by ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, and a battery of tests to assess color vision in addition to routine ophthalmological examination. All families showed clinical features associated with BCM. Acuities were reduced in all affected males, and photopic b-wave was reduced by more than 90% in seven families. In three families, however, the photopic b-wave response showed uncharacteristic relative preservation of 30–80% (of the clinical low-normal value). The color vision was unusually preserved in two affected males, but this was not correlated with photopic electroretinography retention. Progressive macular atrophy was observed in affected members of two BCM families while the rest of the families presented with normal fundus. In nine families deletions were identified in the gene encoding the red-sensitive photopigment and/or in the region up to 17.8 kb upstream of the red gene which contains the locus control region and other regulatory sequences. In the same nine families the red pigment gene showed a range of deletions from the loss of a single exon to loss of the complete red gene. In one family no mutation was found in the exons of the red gene or the locus control region but showed loss of the complete green gene. No association was observed between the phenotypes and genotypes in these families.
Edaphic adaptation maintains the coexistence of two cryptic species on serpentine soils

•� Premise of the study: Divergent edaphic adaptation can contribute to reproductive isolation and coexistence between closely related species, yet we know little about how small-scale continuous edaphic gradients contribute to this phenomenon. We investigated edaphic adaptation between two cryptic species of California wildfl ower, Lasthenia californica and L. gracilis (Asteraceae), which grow in close parapatry on serpentine soil. •� Methods: We reciprocally transplanted both species into the center of each species’ habitat and the transition zone between species. We quantified multiple components of fitness and used aster models to predict fitness based on environmental vari­ ables. We sampled soil across the ridge throughout the growing season to document edaphic changes through time. We sam­ pled naturally germinating seedlings to determine whether there was dispersal into the adjacent habitat and to help pinpoint the timing of any selection against migrants. •� Key results: We documented within-serpentine adaptation contributing to habitat isolation between close relatives. Both spe­ cies were adapted to the edaphic conditions in their native region and suffered fi tness trade-offs when moved outside that re­ gion. However, observed fitness values did not perfectly match those predicted by edaphic variables alone, indicating that other factors, such as competition, also contributed to plant fitness. Soil water content and concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium were likely drivers of differential fitness. Plants either had limited dispersal ability or migrants experi­ enced early-season mortality outside their native region. •� Conclusions: Demonstrating that continuous habitats can support differently adapted, yet closely related, taxa is important to a broader understanding of how species are generated and maintained in nature.
Severe Deprivation and System Inclusion Among Children of Incarcerated Parents in the United States After the Great Recession

The expansion of the criminal justice system over the last four decades and the corresponding rise of parental incarceration raises questions about whether the children of current and former inmates are at an increased risk of material hardship that necessitates social service intervention. Recent sociological scholarship finds that the greater surveillance experienced by former inmates and the criminally involved precludes them from seeking medical care and social services. Yet there is no scholarship that assesses health care and social service utilization among children exposed to parental incarceration. In this article, we investigate how race and educational inequality in parental incarceration were associated with markers of deprivation and social program enlistment after the Great Recession. Using data from the 2011–2012 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), we not only find that children with an incarcerated parent experience greater levels of deprivation—material hardship, unmet health needs, and residential instability—but that these children are drawn into social service programs at a higher rate than the rate for children unexposed to parental incarceration. Nearly 2.1 million children (or 81 percent of minors) with an incarcerated parent are enrolled in at least one social service program. Our findings are consistent with a “system inclusion” perspective, which aligns with David Garland’s and William Julius Wilson’s theoretical and historical explanations of social service participation among disadvantaged minors.
Natural infection of human adenovirus 36 in rhesus monkeys is associated with a reduction in fasting glucose 36.

In humans, natural Ad36 infection is crosssectionally and temporally associated with adiposity and better glycemic control. 1–3 In vitro studies indicate that the early gene 4, open reading frame 1 (E4orf1) gene of Ad36 is necessary and sufficient to improve cellular glucose disposal. 4,5 Consequentially, E4orf1 protein offers an excellent template to develop antidiabetic drugs. 4 Considering the human relevance of a rhesus monkey model for preclinical drug development, we determined the associations of natural Ad36 infection with changes in glycemic control in rhesus monkeys. For this study, serum samples were obtained from 20 male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta; 7–13 years of age) enrolled in an ongoing study described earlier. 6
miR-150 Regulates Differentiation and Cytolytic Effector Function in CD8+ T cells.

MicroRNAs regulate most mammalian genes, and they control numerous aspects of immune system development and function. Their precise roles in the CD8+ T cell response, however, remain unclear. In this report, we show that in the absence of the microRNA miR-150, CD8+ T cells fail to undergo robust expansion and differentiation into short-lived terminal effector cells in response to primary infection with Listeria monocytogenes or Vaccinia virus. Notably, even after transitioning into the memory pool, miR-150−/− cells still mount a weaker recall response to secondary infection, and remain less differentiated than their wild-type counterparts. Transcriptome analysis shows miR-150 gene targets are globally upregulated in cells lacking miR-150, and amongst these targets, we found misregulation of genes associated with proliferation and effector cell function. These transcriptome data suggest that miR-150 deficient CD8+ T cells are less efficient in killing infected cells, which we validate experimentally. Together, these results reveal a cell-intrinsic role for miR-150 in the regulation of effector CD8+ T cell fate and function.
The Paradox of Prejudice

The long history of discrimination against interracial, romantic relationships has largely been focused on the black-male-white-female variety and by whites, particularly white men. In the employment context, this may often be observed within the context of third-party associative discrimination, where an employee (often a white woman) is discriminated against because of their romantic relationship with a person of another racial group (often African American). However, in recent decades something paradoxical has occured -- black anxiety over black-male-white-female. Anxieties over such relationships may lead to discriminatory behavior in the employment context, as may be suggested by a 2008 U.S. Circuit Court case, Ellis v. UPS.
Emerging Scalability and Extreme Outcomes in New Ventures: Power Law Distribution Analyses of Three Studies

Reviews of the management, entrepreneurship, and marketing literature suggest that most performance-based outcomes are not distributed according to Gaussian assumptions within the normal, bell-shaped curve. Instead, Paretian (i.e., power-law) distributions are the new norm, where extreme outliers occur far more frequently and, more importantly, have a disproportionate influence on the larger system than normal statistics would lead us to believe. The unique statistical properties of power-law distributions require a scale-free theory, where a single explanation at one level applies to multiple units at the preceding level. As such, I develop a hypothesis to suggest that a founder’s expectations for future growth in the nascent organizing stage can influence a venture’s potential ability to scale up into an extreme outcome at later stages. I use MATLAB to construct semi-parametric bootstrap estimates for maximum likelihood fit with a power-law model on representative sample datasets from three levels of self-organized venture emergence: nascent, active start-up, and hyper-growth. I find substantial support for the scale-free hypothesis – a universal scaling exponent of ~ 1.75 – at multiple units and levels of analysis. I use the results to suggest various implications for theory, practice, pedagogy, and policy.
Photoelectrochemical Behavior of n‑type Si(100) Electrodes Coated with Thin Films of Manganese Oxide Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition

Thin (10 nm) films of manganese oxide have been deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) onto n-type silicon and onto degenerately doped p-type silicon. The photoelectrochemical properties of the resulting semiconductor/metal-oxide structures were evaluated in contact with aqueous 0.35 M K4Fe(CN)6–0.05 M K3Fe(CN)6, 1.0 M KOH(aq), as well as in contact with a series of nonaqueous one-electron, reversible, outer-sphere redox systems. Under simulated air mass (AM) 1.5 illumination in contact with 0.35 M K4Fe(CN)6–0.05 M K3Fe(CN)6(aq), MnO-coated n-Si photoanodes displayed open-circuit voltages of up to 550 mV and stable anodic currents for periods of hours at 0.0 V versus the solution potential. In contact with 1.0 M KOH(aq), at current densities of ∼25 mA cm–2, MnO|Si photoanodes under 100 mW cm–2 of simulated AM 1.5 illumination yielded stable oxygen evolution for 10–30 min. Variation in the thickness of the MnO films from 4 to 20 nm indicated the presence of a series resistance in the MnO film that limi...
Formation of Nitrous Acid during Ammonia Photooxidation on TiO2 under Atmospherically Relevant Conditions

Ammonia (NH3) from natural and anthropogenic sources is a globally distributed air pollutant, with emission rates expected to double over the next several decades. Selective catalytic oxidation (SCO) on TiO2 photocatalysts represents a potential strategy for NH3 pollution abatement. We show here that irradiation of TiO2 in the presence of NH3 under atmospheric conditions releases gas-phase nitrous acid (HONO), a potentially harmful precursor to atmospheric ozone, before it can be further reduced to N2. Chemical ionization mass spectrometry and diffuse reflection infrared spectroscopy measurements indicate that HONO is derived from the reduction of NO2 and NO3–, which are products of the water-catalyzed photooxidation of NH3. This represents the first experimental evidence of HONO formation from NH3 photooxidation and has important implications for understanding SCO processes and devising air pollution control strategies to remove NH3 from ambient air.
When and how to use serum tumor markers in clinical practice.

Clinicians have long wanted a simple test sensitive enough to detect cancer in its early stages, yet specific enough to not produce false-positive results. Unfortunately, no such ideal test exists, or is likely to.
Stratification in the Labor Market

In advanced capitalist nations like the United States, the labor market is organized hierarchically stratified by race-ethnicity, gender, and class. Historically, societal beliefs concerning marginalized groups including racial/ethnic groups, immigrants, women, and poor people, have fueled inequalities in the labor market. Dual labor market segmentation theories argue that workers from marginalized and oppressed groups disproportionately occupy low-paying, unstable occupations with few opportunities for mobility or access to benefits. Conversely, white workers are overrepresented in high-status positions characterized by promotion ladders, stability, and high wages. These disparate occupational terrains possess distinct and unequal workplace conditions, wages, discrimination, and ultimately socioeconomic outcomes. Keywords: labor; minorities; poverty; sociology of work and occupations; stratification and inequality
Influence of detergent aerosol on lung microvascular permeability.

Noncardiogenic edema fluid often contains high levels of plasma proteins, which may inhibit the function of the lung surfactant complex and thus decrease interstitial hydrostatic pressures. We ques...
CLINICAL APPROACH TO THE SEXUALITY OF PATIENTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY

This article discusses four complex clinical perspectives on the sexual impact of spinal cord injury: the sexual equilibrium between two people, the sexual psychology of one individual, the general biology of the organically impaired person, and the sexual pathophysiology of the spinal cord deficit. These topics affect the re-establishment and maintenance of a sexual life after irreversible spinal cord trauma.
Optical Properties of FR I Radio Galaxies

From the VLA 20cm survey of ~ 500 Abell clusters reported by (Ledlow and Owen, 1995), we have obtained optical R-Band CCD observations and optical spectra for 265 radio galaxies. The survey is complete for 20cm flux density greater than 10 mJy within 0.3 corrected Abell radii of the cluster center. All Abell clusters with measured z 200 mJy. Only 6% of the sample consists of FR II radio sources, the remainder are twin-jets, tailed, or compact sources associated with the FR I class.
Semi-Batch Reactors

This chapter discusses the reasons for choosing a semi-batch reactor rather than a batch reactor. It then presents the design equations for conducting a miscible liquid–liquid reaction in a semi-batch reactor. This chapter then reviews the design equations for an immiscible liquid–liquid process in a semi-batch reactor, and it concludes with a discussion of the design equations for a gas–liquid process conducted in a semi-batch reactor.
Management of Type C TFCC Tears

Though the Palmer classification of TFCC tears has added tremendous value in terms of grouping lesions into traumatic and degenerative categories, it is important to remember that it is more useful in terms of differentiating etiology than in designating distinct treatment recommendations. Both Type I and Type II tears may reflect the biomechanical effects of increased ulnar variance, and both, in that light, may require more than simple debridement. Careful examination and the use of preoperative MR imaging and fastidious diagnostic use of the arthroscope may reveal whether an element of ulnar impaction exists and, for that matter, whether other pathology, such as an LT tear, needs to be addressed.
Future Projections of Heat and Fire-Risk Indices for the Contiguous United States

AbstractIncreasing temperatures and changes in precipitation associated with climate change are expected to have increasing impacts on the contiguous United States in the coming decades, including military training and outdoor activities in general. Projections of daily temperature and precipitation from multiple global climate model projections are used to calculate the days with high heat and drought indices, which also indicate heat-related illness and fire risks. The heat stress index [the wet-bulb black-globe temperature (WBGT)] and drought index (Keetch–Byram drought index) are calculated from climate model projections from 1950–99 and 2070–99 and compared with those calculated from observed weather data for stations across the contiguous United States. Significant increases are projected across the southern United States for the days in the high index category above 32.2°C and high drought category. The higher humidity of the southeastern United States contributes to high WBGT as well, while the ai...
Cocktail of Superoxide Dismutase and Fasudil Encapsulated in Targeted Liposomes Slows PAH Progression at a Reduced Dosing Frequency.

Currently, two or more pulmonary vasodilators are used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but conventional vasodilators alone cannot reverse disease progression. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a combination therapy comprising a vasodilator plus a therapeutic agent that slows pulmonary arterial remodeling and right heart hypertrophy is an efficacious alternative to current vasodilator-based PAH therapy. Thus, we encapsulated a cocktail of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a superoxide scavenger, and fasudil, a specific rho-kinase inhibitor, into a liposomal formulation equipped with a homing peptide, CAR. We evaluated the effect of the formulations on pulmonary hemodynamics in monocrotaline-induced PAH rats (MCT-induced PAH) and assessed the formulation’s efficacy in slowing the disease progression in Sugen-5416/hypoxia-induced PAH rats (SU/hypoxia-induced PAH). For acute studies, we monitored both mean pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures (mPAP and mSAP) for 2 to 6 h after a sing...
ID: 112: Characterization of a novel interferon stimulated gene with antiviral activity against dengue virus

Interferon (IFN) inducible genes are critical for the initiation of an effective antiviral response and for the clearance of virus from infected cells. Several hundred genes have been shown to be upregulated in response to IFN stimulation, however, only a fraction of these genes have been characterized to date. Dengue virus is a member of the Flavivirus genus of viruses and is of significant concern to global health. Here, we show that the uncharacterized protein FLJ11286 (FLJ) is induced by dengue virus infection in an IFN dependent manner and plays a role in antiviral response. FLJ contains conserved cysteine residues and has homologues across the vertebrate taxon. We show that FLJ is upregulated in response to stimulation with IFN, and that disruption of IFN signaling, through siRNA mediated knockdown of IFN regulatory factor 9, results in decreased induction of FLJ after IFN treatment. FLJ displays antiviral activity against dengue virus as well as against Encephalomyocarditis virus. We also demonstrate that FLJ is a nucleic acid binding protein with the ability to bind to dengue viral mRNA and associates with a variety of dengue and host proteins. These data serve to identify FLJ as a novel IFN stimulated gene with antiviral activity against certain viruses.
Adaptive x-ray threat detection using sequential hypotheses testing with fan-beam experimental data (Conference Presentation)

We employ an adaptive measurement system, based on sequential hypotheses testing (SHT) framework, for detecting material-based threats using experimental data acquired on an X-ray experimental testbed system. This testbed employs 45-degree fan-beam geometry and 15 views over a 180-degree span to generate energy sensitive X-ray projection data. Using this testbed system, we acquire multiple view projection data for 200 bags. We consider an adaptive measurement design where the X-ray projection measurements are acquired in a sequential manner and the adaptation occurs through the choice of the optimal "next" source/view system parameter. Our analysis of such an adaptive measurement design using the experimental data demonstrates a 3x-7x reduction in the probability of error relative to a static measurement design. Here the static measurement design refers to the operational system baseline that corresponds to a sequential measurement using all the available sources/views. We also show that by using adaptive measurements it is possible to reduce the number of sources/views by nearly 50% compared a system that relies on static measurements.
The Role of Radiology in the Diagnostic Process: Information, Communication, and Teamwork.

OBJECTIVE. The diagnostic radiology process represents a partnership between clinical and radiology teams. As such, breakdowns in interpersonal interactions and communication can result in patient ...
Impact of Topology on the Scalability of Mach–Zehnder-Based Multistage Silicon Photonic Switch Networks

We analyze the scalability of electro-optic Mach–Zehnder-based silicon photonic switch networks. We describe a simulation framework based on the transfer matrix method that enable to model any type of multistage networks. We simulate three common network topologies – Benes, path-independent loss, and double-layer – and analyze their scalability by performing optical link numerical simulations for 50 Gbps non-return-to-zero signals. Our study shows that for a radix-16, the double-layer network performs better with a link power penalty smaller than 1 dB thanks to its dilated arrangement. For equivalent radix, the Benes and path-independent loss networks have link power penalties larger than 4 dB. Our simulations also show stringent requirements for the waveguide crossing crosstalk, whose value should be smaller than −35 dB to close any realistic link budget.
Privacy and Efficiency Tradeoffs for Multiword Top K Search with Linear Additive Rank Scoring

This paper proposes a private ranking scheme with linear additive scoring for efficient top K keyword search on modest-sized cloud datasets. This scheme strikes for tradeoffs between privacy and efficiency by proposing single-round client-server collaboration with server-side partial ranking based on blinded feature weights with random masks. Client-side preprocessing includes query decomposition with chunked postings to facilitate earlier range intersection and fast access of server-side key-value stores. Server-side query processing deals with feature vector sparsity through optional feature matching and enables result filtering with query-dependent chunk-wide random masks for queries that yield too many matched documents. This paper provides details on indexing and run-time conjunctive query processing and presents an evaluation that assesses the accuracy, efficiency, and privacy tradeoffs of this scheme through five datasets with various sizes.
The exoribonuclease Xrn1 is a post-transcriptional negative regulator of autophagy

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that promotes survival during stress. Autophagic dysfunction is associated with pathologies such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, autophagy must be strictly modulated at multiple levels (transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational) to prevent deregulation. Relatively little is known about the post-transcriptional control of autophagy. Here we report that the exoribonuclease Xrn1/XRN1 functions as a negative autophagy factor in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in mammalian cells. In yeast, chromosomal deletion of XRN1 enhances autophagy and the frequency of autophagosome formation. Loss of Xrn1 results in the upregulation of autophagy-related (ATG) transcripts under nutrient-replete conditions, and this effect is dependent on the ribonuclease activity of Xrn1. Xrn1 expression is regulated by the yeast transcription factor Ash1 in rich conditions. In mammalian cells, siRNA depletion of XRN1 enhances autophagy and the replication of 2 picornaviruses. This work provides insight into the role of the RNA decay factor Xrn1/XRN1 as a post-transcriptional regulator of autophagy.
Age as a Factor in Dominance and Social Behavior

Chapter 6 discussed sex differences in the expression of dominance behaviors and the formation of a group structure; there are also age variations in these matters and in more generic social interactions. This chapter addresses these issues by reporting on data from groups of middle to late adolescents at summer camp and of early to middle adolescents engaged in school volleyball games.
A Model of Thermal Acclimation in Cattle

A model of temperature effects on cattle daily feed intake has been developed that takes into account (1) time course of thermal acclimation and (2) behavioral responses to short-term thermal stress (STTS). The key difference between this model and the classical intake-temperature model is its consideration of the acclimation state of the animal. Time course of physiological acclimation is represented by a running average temperature. The STTS is defined as the difference between the current acclimated temperature [Tacci(L)] and current daily mean temperature (Ti). Ruminants were postulated as decreasing activity in response to STTS. An empirical relationship between daily feed intake (I) and environmental temperature was derived as: I = 100% - b'[Ti - Tacci(L)]2. Length of the acclimation period, L, and value of the behavioral response coefficient, b', were determined for grazing time of free-roaming cattle and feed intake of five breeds of feedlot cattle. Cattle breeds displayed apparent differences in L but no significant differences in b'. Feeding situation (feedlot vs free-roaming) had a significant effect on b' in cattle, but not on L. Because of explicit treatment of acclimation and stress, two-dimensional representation of thermal environment may be a more meaningful expression of effective environmental temperature in fluctuating environments than mean daily temperature alone. This model may have value in the interpretation of laboratory studies, as well as field studies, because the time frame of experiments will influence the results obtained, depending upon the acclimation state of the animal.
Electrospray Mass Spectral Analysis of the (N)-Arylazido-β-Alanyl NAD+ Modified Bovine Heart Mitochondrial NADH Dehydrogenase

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the electrospray mass spectral analysis of the ( N )-arylazido-β-alanyl NAD + modified bovine heart mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase is the first enzyme of the respiratory chain, which conveys the electrons derived from NADH to ubiquinone. NADH dehydrogenase can be labeled with ( N )-arylazido-β-alanyl NAD +3 . In a study described in the chapter, electrospray mass spectrometry was used to detect the subunit modified by this label after photoirradiation and to determine whether the photoprobe incorporation is irradiation time and/or photoprobe concentration dependent. The enzyme was photoirridiated for different lengths of times in the presence of a constant concentration of photoaffinity label. After one minute irradiation, the mass analyses showed the appearance of a higher mass only in subunit III. The masses of subunit I and II remained unchanged. NAD + probe modified and unmodified enzyme were digested with trypsin under identical conditions. A few molecular ions derived from the labeled enzyme digest were not present in the unlabeled enzyme digest.
Application of Artificial Neuron Networks as energy consumption forecasting tool in the building of Regulatory Authority of Energy, Athens, Greece

Abstract The liberation of the Greek electricity market by the law 4426/2015 started a new area for the producers and the consumers of electricity, in order to improve energy efficiency and saving, promotes competitiveness and finally leads to the protection of the environment. The main objective of this work is the development of a forecasting tool with the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), in order to forecast the energy consumption in the building of Regulation Authority of Energy (RAE) in Athens city, Greece. More specifically, nine different scenarios and artificial neural networks respectively developed and trained in order give a sufficient prediction for the consumption of electricity, the consumption of natural gas during the cold period of the year and finally the chilling loads during the warm period of the year, 24hours ahead in hourly basis. For this purpose, hourly meteorological data from the nearest meteorological station belonging to the National Observatory of Athens as well as energy consumption data from the specific building in hourly bases were used. Results showed that ANNs present a remarkable forecasting ability to predict the energy consumption of the specific building 24hours ahead.
The Wrath of Grapes? [Microwave Surfing]

Why do grapes spark in a microwave oven? As reported in Science Magazine, YouTubers have gone grape crazy. In a plethora of Internet videos, kitchen scientists have cut a grape almost in half—leaving just a strip of skin connecting the two sides—and stuck it in the microwave. In seconds, sparks erupt. The article even includes a link to an impressive video demonstration of the phenomenon, accompanied by rousing music. Discusses this phenomena and reports on various experiments as well as explanations of why this happens.
Apparent digestibility of crude protein and apparent availability of individual amino acids in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed phytase pretreated soybean meal diets

Soybeans contain phytates, the anionic forms of 1,2,3,5/4,6-hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate) myoinositol, with the potential to reduce amino acid (AA) availability. Tilapia lack the intestinal enzyme phytase to hydrolyze phytates. Oreochromis niloticus (approximately 68 g) were fed diets containing either phytase pretreated or untreated soybean meal (SBM) incorporated at 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% of the crude protein (CP) in a 33% CP diet to determine whether phytates reduce CP digestibility and AA availability. There were no differences in apparent CP digestibility. Dietary and available methionine (Met), and available lysine (Lys), decreased with increasing incorporation of phytase pretreated SBM. Reduced availability of Met and Lys from the phytase pretreated diets was likely due to removal of phytates. Phytates may reduce the effect of other antinutritional factors, protect amino acids from degradation, or decrease leaching of water soluble components.
A Multi-level Clustering Approach for Anonymizing Large-Scale Physical Activity Data

Publishing physical activity data can facilitate reproducible health-care research in several areas such as population health management, behavioral health research, and management of chronic health problems. However, publishing such data also brings high privacy risks related to re-identification which makes anonymization necessary. One of the challenges in anonymizing physical activity data collected periodically is its sequential nature. The existing anonymization techniques work sufficiently for cross-sectional data but have high computational costs when applied directly to sequential data. This paper presents an effective anonymization approach, Multi-level Clustering based anonymization to anonymize physical activity data. Compared with the conventional methods, the proposed approach improves time complexity by reducing the clustering time drastically. While doing so, it preserves the utility as much as the conventional approaches.
Direct numerical simulations of turbulence and hyporheic mixing near sediment–water interfaces

The effects of bed roughness, isolated from those of bed permeability, on the vertical transport processes across the sediment–water interface (SWI) are not well understood. We compare the statistics and structure of the mean flow and turbulence in open-channel flows with a friction Reynolds number of 395 and a permeability Reynolds number of 2.6 over sediments with either regular or random grain packing at the SWI. The regular sediment interface is formed by cubic packing of spheres aligned with the mean-velocity direction. It is shown that, even in the absence of any bedform, the subtle details of the particle roughness alone can significantly affect the dynamics of turbulence and the time-mean flow. Such effects translate to large differences in penetration depths, apparent permeabilities, vertical mass fluxes and subsurface flow paths of passive scalars. The less organized distribution of mean recirculation regions near the interface with a random packing leads to a more isotropic form-induced stress tensor. The augmented wall-normal form-induced fluctuations play a significant role in increasing mixing and wall-normal mass and momentum exchange.
The Brief Case: Secondary Measles and the Pitfalls of Diagnostic Testing.

A 34-year-old male patient with no significant past medical history presented to the emergency department of our hospital for evaluation of intractable nausea and vomiting, a mild sore throat, and a rash that had developed 3 days prior to presentation. The rash had first appeared on his face and
SAT0227 An academic arthritis website is most frequently utilised for arthritis news and treatment information

Background Medical and pseudo-medical information sites are the most heavily trafficked sites on the Worldwide Web. The Hopkins Arthritis Web Site was launched in late December 1998 to provide credible information about arthritis and its treatment to health care providers and patients. Objectives Our goal was to evaluate the topics most frequently accessed by visitors to the Site. Methods The information data base on the Site consists of a large body of ?static? information, as well as two interactive forums. The number of ?requests? for each page was monitored by Web Trends Enterprise Reporting Server. The number of requests per page was adjusted for number of months that the page was live, and sorted by topic into 1 of 6 categories. Requests were readjusted for number of pages per topic and calculated as a percent of total requests. Data were based on statistics compiled for the year 2000. Results The frequency of visits to the ?static? pages were as follows: news items (27%), pharmacologic treatment (21%), diagnostic/therapeutic guidelines (21%), event broadcasts (12%), disease-specific education (10%), and nonpharmacologic management (8%). Highlights of the ACR meetings were one of the most heavily accessed ?news item? postings on the Site. For the interactive forums, treatment related postings constituted the majority of postings: 55% of questions in ?Ask the Expert?, and 70% of postings to the Message Board. ?Hits? to the Site, and time spent on the Site, have increased steadily since launch, currently totalling 1,200,000 hits and 12 min per month, respectively. Conclusion The versatility of the Internet confers the unique ability to constantly update educational data bases. The desire for updated information is reflected on this Arthritis Web Site by the high frequency of visits to treatment and news related pages. Credible educational websites can effectively complement traditional on-site educational forums.
85. Hematometrocolpos due to Graft versus Host Disease in Two Young Patients: Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

Background The differential diagnosis of primary or secondary amenorrhea includes obstructive pathologies such as vaginal stenosis. Vaginal stenosis can be acquired as a result of vaginal graft versus host disease (GVHD) in patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The true prevalence of vaginal GVHD is unknown, and young patients in particular are at risk for missed or delayed diagnosis, with the potential for severe complications such as vaginal stenosis and secondary hematometrocolpos. This case report demonstrates the potential for blunt dissection of vaginal adhesions along a tissue plane in cases of vaginal stenosis secondary to vaginal GVHD, and underscores the importance of increased physician awareness of vaginal GVHD in adolescents and increased screening for vaginal GVHD in at-risk adolescent patients. Case We report two cases of vaginal adhesions and hematometrocolpos secondary to vaginal GVHD in a 14-year-old patient and a 24-year-old patient, both with histories of allogeneic HSCT. Resolution of hematocolpos was obtained with surgical lysis of vaginal adhesions and temporary vaginal stent placement in both patients, followed by systemic and topical hormone therapy and, in the 24-year-old, dilator therapy. Future vaginal dilator versus surgical therapy is planned for the 14 year-old patient. Comments Vaginal stenosis secondary to vaginal GVHD must be considered with patients with a history of allogeneic HSCT who present with primary or secondary amenorrhea. Surgical management may be able to identify a residual plane of the normal vaginal canal, which may avoid the need for vaginal replacement and restore normal anatomy. The use of vaginal stents can facilitate attempts to restore normal anatomy and prevent restenosis, along with adequate postoperative medical and dilator management as appropriate. This complex diagnosis warrants careful treatment and surveillance that are bolstered by a strong physician-patient relationship and patient motivation to participate in care. These cases demonstrate that a tissue plane can be identified even in cases where the vagina appears completely stenotic. As HCST transplant success rates continue to increase, the occurrence of GVHD and vaginal GVHD in adolescents and young adults is anticipated to rise. The increasing incidence of vaginal GVHD and the potential for underdiagnosis supports a need for routine screening and education in adolescent and young adult patients who are at risk for vaginal GVHD.