cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Network requirements for a satellite based National Research and Education Network

All of the various research networks throughout the US are planned to be integrated into a single, nationwide research network by the mid 1990's. This network will be the third stage of what will be called the National Research and Education Network (NREN). A wide-band communications satellite creates a distance insensitive link between all users, regardless of their locations. In order to assure that a realistic satellite is designed for the NREN, good estimates of the network requirements are needed. This paper outlines the results of a study performed to determine the NREN requirements. >
A Java-based tool for the design of classification microarrays

Classification microarrays are used for purposes such as identifying strains of bacteria and determining genetic relationships to understand the epidemiology of an infectious disease. For these cases, mixed microarrays, which are composed of DNA from more than one organism, are more effective than conventional microarrays composed of DNA from a single organism. Selection of probes is a key factor in designing successful mixed microarrays because redundant sequences are inefficient and limited representation of diversity can restrict application of the microarray. We have developed a Java-based software tool, called PLASMID, for use in selecting the minimum set of probe sequences needed to classify different groups of plasmids or bacteria. The software program was successfully applied to several different sets of data. The utility of PLASMID was illustrated using existing mixed-plasmid microarray data as well as data from a virtual mixed-genome microarray constructed from different strains of Streptococcus. Moreover, use of data from expression microarray experiments demonstrated the generality of PLASMID. In this paper we describe a new software tool for selecting a set of probes for a classification microarray. While the tool was developed for the design of mixed microarrays–and mixed-plasmid microarrays in particular–it can also be used to design expression arrays. The user can choose from several clustering methods (including hierarchical, non-hierarchical, and a model-based genetic algorithm), several probe ranking methods, and several different display methods. A novel approach is used for probe redundancy reduction, and probe selection is accomplished via stepwise discriminant analysis. Data can be entered in different formats (including Excel and comma-delimited text), and dendrogram, heat map, and scatter plot images can be saved in several different formats (including jpeg and tiff). Weights generated using stepwise discriminant analysis can be stored for analysis of subsequent experimental data. Additionally, PLASMID can be used to construct virtual microarrays with genomes from public databases, which can then be used to identify an optimal set of probes.
Integrating 2-D video actors into 2-D augmented-reality systems

In this paper, we discuss the integration of 2-D video actors into 3-D augmented-reality (AR) systems. In the context of our research on narrative forms for AR, we have found ourselves needing highly expressive consent that is most easily created by human actors. We discuss the feasibility and utility of using video actors in an AR situation and then present our Video Actor Framework (including the VideoActor editor and the Video3D Java package) for easily integrating 2-D videos of actors into Java 3D, an object-oriented 3-D graphics programming environment. The framework is based on the idea of supporting tight spatial and temporal synchronization between the content of the video and the rest of the 3-D world. We present a number of illustrative examples that demonstrate the utility of the toolkit and editor. We close with a discussion and example of our recent work implementing these ideas in Macromedia Director, a popular multimedia production tool.
Increased AKT Activity Contributes to Prostate Cancer Progression by Dramatically Accelerating Prostate Tumor Growth and Diminishing p27Kip1 Expression

The PTEN tumor suppressor gene is frequently inactivated in human prostate cancers, particularly in more advanced cancers, suggesting that the AKT/protein kinase B (PKB) kinase, which is negatively regulated by PTEN, may be involved in human prostate cancer progression. We now show that AKT activation and activity are markedly increased in androgen-independent, prostate-specific antigen-positive prostate cancer cells (LNAI cells) established from xenograft tumors of the androgen-dependent LNCaP cell line. These LNAI cells show increased expression of integrin-linked kinase, which is putatively responsible for AKT activation/Ser-473 phosphorylation, as well as for increased phosphorylation of the AKT target protein, BAD. Furthermore, expression of the p27(Kip1) cell cycle regulator was diminished in LNAI cells, consistent with the notion that AKT directly inhibits AFX/Forkhead-mediated transcription of p27(Kip1). To assess directly the impact of increased AKT activity on prostate cancer progression, an activated hAKT1 mutant was overexpressed in LNCaP cells, resulting in a 6-fold increase in xenograft tumor growth. Like LNAI cells, these transfectants showed dramatically reduced p27(Kip1) expression. Together, these data implicate increased AKT activity in prostate tumor progression and androgen independence and suggest that diminished p27(Kip1) expression, which has been repeatedly associated with prostate cancer progression, may be a consequence of increased AKT activity.
Tachykinins (Substance P, Neurokinin A and Neuropeptide γ) and Neurotensin from the Intestine of the Burmese Python, Python molurus

Abstract Conlon, J. M., T. E. Adrian and S. M. Secor. Tachykinins (substance P, neurokinin A and neuropeptide γ,) and neurotensin from the intestine of the burmese python, Python molurus. Peptides 18(10) 1505–1510, 1997.—Peptides with substance P-like immunoreactivity, neurokinin A-like immunoreactivity and neurotensin-like immunoreactivity were isolated in pure form from an extract of the intestine of the Burmese python ( Python molurus ). The primary structure of python substance P (Arg-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Met-NH 2 ) shows one amino acid substitution (Phe 8 → Tyr) compared with chicken/alligator substance P and an additional substitution (Lys 3 → Arg) as compared with mammalian substance P. The neurokinin A-like immunoreactivity was separated into two components. Python neuropeptide γ (Asp-Ala-Gly-Tyr-Ser-Pro-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Arg-His-Lys-Thr-Asp-Ser-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met-NH 2 shows three substitutions (Gly 5 → Ser, Gln 6 → Pro and Ile 7 → Leu) compared with alligator neuropeptide γ and an additional substitution (His 4 → Tyr) compared with mammalian neuropeptide γ. Python neurokinin A (His-Lys-Thr-Asp-Ser-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met.NH 2 ) is identical to human/chicken/alligator neurokinin A. Python neurotensin (pGlu-Leu-Val-His-Asn-Lys-Ala-Arg-Pro-Tyr-Ile-Leu) is identical to chicken/alligator neurotensin. The data are indicative of differential evolutionary pressure to conserve the amino acid sequences of reptilian gastrointestinal peptides.
Joint source-channel decoding for JPEG2000 codestream transmission over flat fading channels

The embedded codestream structures, associated with a variety of progressive image compression methods, suffer from severe error sensitivity when transmitted over wireless channels. In addition to employing forward error correction (FEC) codes, joint source-channel coding (JSCC) is a typical approach to combat the significant quality degradation. In this paper, a joint source-channel decoding (JSCD) method is designed when transmitting the JPEG2000 codestream over uncorrelated flat fading channels using low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. Error resilience modes implemented in the JPEG2000 codec makes it possible to provide new messages as feedback to the channel decoder. Thus, the log-domain sum-product decoding procedure for LDPC codes is updated during each iteration according to the feedback information from the JPEG2000 decoder. Two adaptive modification algorithms are proposed to update the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) of the bit nodes at the receiver with and without channel side information (CSI), respectively. Simulation results show that the joint source-channel decoding methods not only improve the quality of the reconstructed image greatly but also reduce the number of iterations significantly.
Examination of Quantitative Methods Used in Early Intervention Research: Linkages With Recommended Practices

Findings are reported related to the research methods and statistical techniques used in the 450 group quantitative studies examined as part of the literature review portion of the Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices project. Twelve trained coders used an investigator-developed coding form to analyze studies across seven major dimensions: (a) sampling procedures, (b) variable selection, (c) variable definition, (d) measurement integrity, (e) treatment fidelity, (f) statistical analyses, and (g) magnitude-of effect reporting. Results suggested that the methodological integrity of the quantitative research used to inform recommended practices was not uniformly convincing and compelling. Implications are offered related to the strength of empirical support for recommended practices and the conduct and reporting of future research.
Phospholipase activation triggers apoptosis in photosensitized mouse lymphoma cells

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), an experimental cancer treatment employing a photosensitizer and visible light, is a highly efficient inducer of apoptosis (or programmed cell death) in mouse L5178Y lymphoma cells, resulting in extensive DNA fragmentation within 1-2 h. The major targets for PDT are in cellular membranes, and we now find that PDT sensitized by aluminum phthalocyanine causes the rapid (< 1 min) activation of phospholipase C and the breakdown of membrane phosphoinositides, as well as a similarly rapid release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools. A phospholipase C inhibitor, U73122, blocks the rapid transient increases in both inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and intracellular Ca2+ levels as well as the subsequent fragmentation of nuclear DNA, whereas the analogue U73343 is much less effective against all of the aforementioned responses. In addition, p-bromphenacyl bromide, an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, blocks DNA fragmentation, and PDT stimulates the release of arachidonic acid, probably by phospholipase A2-dependent breakdown of membrane phospholipids. Thus, photodynamic damage to cell membranes can mimic natural stimuli of phospholipases and initiate apoptosis in L5178Y cells.
Chatterer Ping-pong Table

An intelligent ping-pong table is proposed in this paper, which can detect the position where the ball has dropped. The sensing system is constructed with piezoelectric sensors, an A-D converter, and a personal computer. Piezoelectric sensors are arranged in the four corners of the acrylic boards of the ping-pong table for sensing the dropped position. The system controls the illumination and the sound effect for the position where the ball dropped. The illumination and the sound effect are expectable for exiting the game. The position detecting method can be applied for sensing the position on a plane.
Orthogonal assembly of nanoparticle building blocks on dip-pen nanolithographically generated templates of DNA

Nanoscale construction work with DNA: Dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) is used to generate nanostructures which can be subsequently functionalized with oligonucleotides a' and b' and used to assemble, in an orthogonal manner, gold nanoparticles (a, b in scheme) functionalized with sequences complementary to the DPN-generated structures.
What's new in monitoring the coronary surgery patient?

Monitoring has been extensively reviewed in most textbooks of cardiothoracic surgery and anaesthesia, particularly in the recent textbooks on monitoring edited by Carol L Lake1 and Casey D Blitt2 and in the Journal of Clinical Monitoring. Although monitoring properly includes both pre- and postoperative periods, this review will concentrate exclusively on the operative period. I will also concentrate on new approaches or information which relate to more traditional approaches to monitoring. The emphasis in this review will not be on what we can monitor, but rather on what we should monitor. In this regard, I will analyse accuracy and identify sources of error and try to answer the following questions. Does the device or parameter measure (monitor) what we want to know? Does it improve patient outcome and safety? Is it cost-effective? Unfortunately, data are not always available to answer all these questions at present, but hopefully the discussions will make us aware of what we do and do not know, and wha...
A Review of Commitment Savings Products in Development Countries

Many financial institutions in developing countries offer savings products. Yet, little has been done to assess systematically and quantitatively the relative merits of different product designs. This paper first examines different designs that provide incentives to clients to commit to save. Mechanisms are divided into deposit-side mechanisms that help clients make regular deposits, and withdrawal-side mechanisms that help clients restrict the use of their funds except for well-planned uses or emergencies. Then, using results from a short web-based survey of microfinance instititutions, we describe different commitment savings products in use around the world. * We thank Vo Van Cuong and Xianbin Yao and others at the Asian Development Bank for useful comments and support, and we thank the Asian Development Bank for funding under RSC-C20817-PHI. All views and errors are ours. ** Corresponding author: Dean S. Karlan, 337 Wallace Hall; Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08550; dkarlan@princeton.edu
Parallel and distributed VHDL simulation

This paper presents a methodology for parallel and distributed simulation of VHDL using the PDES (parallel discrete-event simulation) paradigm. To achieve better features and performance, some PDES protocols assume that simultaneous events may be processed in arbitrary order. We describe a solution of how to apply these algorithms to have a correct simulation of the distributed VHDL cycle, including the delta cycle. The solution is based on tie-breaking the simultaneous events using Lamport's logical clocks to causally order them according to the VHDL simulation cycle, and defining the VHDL virtual time as a pair of simulation physical time and cycle/phase logical time. The paper also shows how to use this method with a PDES protocol that relaxes the simulation of simultaneous events to arbitrary order; allowing the LPs to self-adapt to optimistic or conservative mode, without the lookahead requirement. The lookahead is application-dependent and for some systems may be zero or unknown. The parallel simulation of VHDL designs ranging from 5531 to 14704 LPs using these methods obtained a promising, almost linear speedup.
Professionalism: a student perspective.

INTRODUCTION Before commissioning as an officer in the U.S. military, the topic of professionalism had always seemed akin to modern art, easy to point out yet hard to describe. I had never really given it any significant thought beyond an unconscious attempt to portray it; whatever “it” was. The military has introduced me to the concept of explicitly training professional behaviors and helped me to define specific characteristics of professional behavior. What was once seemingly indefinable has become a conscious and practiced set of skills. At the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), professionalism is emphasized as a requirement for graduation in accordance with Liaison Committee on Medical Education 2014 Core Competencies. As a medical student surrounded by military custom day-in and dayout, my understanding of “military” professionalism had been established with training, and reinforced with daily practice. The concept of “medical” professionalism, however, was not as clear to me. Military professionalism appears black and white, with clear regulations about right and wrong. Medical professionalism, on the other hand, is more “gray,” with an unwritten scale of what appears to be acceptable professional behaviors. In medical school, we are explicitly evaluated on our fund of knowledge and medical communication with patients and staff. We are also evaluated on “professionalism,” however because of a lack of well-defined metrics, this is often subjective. Much research has been published attempting to define medical professionalism and how to measure it. One proposed measurement tool is the Professionalism Mini-Evaluation Exercise (P-MEX). The P-MEX has been shown to be a valid and accurate measurement of professional behaviors in medical students. This tool highlights 24 professional behaviors in four primary domains:
Hot Dry Rock Reservoir Development and Testing in the USA

Two hot dry rock geothermal reservoirs have been created, or are being created, in hard impermeable rock at a site in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. In the first reservoir, created for research purposes, the technical feasibility of this new energy source was established during three years of intensive testing. Now the Phase II reservoir, intended as the first step in demonstrating commercial viability, is being created.
Atrioventricular (AV) Block

There are three categories of atrioventricular (AV) block: first-, second-, and third-degree. First-degree AV block is manifest only by a prolongation of the PR interval beyond 0.2 s. The essential element of both second- and third-degree AV block is a “dropped beat,” in this case meaning an atrial depolarization (P wave) not followed by a ventricular depolarization (QRS complex). Second-degree AV block is subdivided in Mobitz I (or Wenckebach) block or Mobitz II. Mobitz I has the characteristic of increasing prolongation of sequential PR intervals until there is a “dropped beat,” a P wave not followed by a QRS. Mobitz II is a higher degree of block where only a fraction (for example, 1 of 3) of the P waves is followed by a QRS, and the PR interval for that conducted beat may be normal or prolonged but is generally fairly constant. Third-degree AV block (also known as complete heart block) is manifest by the absence of conduction from atria to ventricles and the presence of atrioventricular dissociation, where the atrial depolarization (P waves) occurs at one rate and the ventricular depolarization (QRS complexes) appear at a totally unrelated, slower rate.
Investigation of Growth Evolution in c-Axis SrBi2Nb2O9 Epitaxial Thin Films

(001)-oriented epitaxial SrBi 2 Nb 2 O 9 thin films have been grown by pulsed laser deposition on (001) SrTiO 3 and (001) LaAlO 3 —Sr 2 AlTaO 6 substrates at optimized growth conditions. 4-circle x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy reveal highly oriented epitaxial films. Atomic force microscopy indicates spiral growth for films grown on SrTiO 3 and layer-by-layer growth for films grown on LaAlO 3 —Sr 2 AlTaO 6 .
Glucocorticoids and maintenance of blood pressure and plasma volume of adrenalectomized dogs subjected to stress.

SummarySensitivity of adrenalectomized dogs to stress induced by intestinal manipulation and metrazol is aparently due to inspissation of the extracellular compartment owing to passage of water into cells. Plasma volume and blood pressure decline, eventuating in circulatory failure. Adrenal glucocorticoids readily release the intracellular fluid and restore the fasted, stressed, dogs to normal. Glucocorticoids may be associated with tissue enzymes which release energy requisite to reduce the cellular hyperhydration characteristic of adrenalectomized dogs exhibiting insufficiency, or shock following stress.
Three-Autoantibody Panel May Be Optimal in Detecting Celiac Disease in Patients With Low Total IgA Levels

Total IgA quantification is part of celiac disease screening panels because antibody serology can be confounded by low IgA levels. In order to identify the optimal screening panel for individuals with decreased IgA, we compared celiac disease-related autoantibody levels with clinical findings in these patients. In our hospital, 4,328 patients were screened for celiac disease in one year. Sixteen (4%) …
Sodium chlorate supplementation reduces E. coli O157:H7 populations in cattle

Cattle are a natural reservoir of the food-borne pathogen Escherichia coli 0157:H7. Therefore, strategies that reduce E. coli 0157:H7 prior to slaughter will reduce human exposures to this virulent pathogen. When bacteria that can anaerobically respire on nitrate (e.g., E. coli) are exposed to chlorate, they die because the intracellular enzyme nitrate reductase converts nitrate to nitrite, but also co-metabolically reduces chlorate to cytotoxic chlorite. Because chlorate is bactericidal only against nitrate reductase-positive bacteria, it has been suggested that chlorate supplementation be used as a strategy to reduce E. coli 0157:H7 populations in cattle prior to harvest. Cattle (n = 8) were fed a feedlot-style high-grain diet experimentally infected with three strains of E. coli O157:H7. Cattle were given access to drinking water supplemented with 2.5 mM KNO 3 and 100 mM NaCl (controls; n = 4) or 2.5 mM KNO 3 and 100 mM NaClO 3 (chlorate-treated; n = 4). Sodium chlorate treatment for 24 h reduced the population of all E. coli 0157:H7 strains approximately two logs (10 4 to 10 2 ) in the rumen and three logs (10 6 to 10 3 ) in the feces. Chlorate treatment reduced total coliforms and generic E. coli from 10 6 to 10 4 in the rumen and by two logs throughout the rest of the gastrointestinal tract (ileum, cecum, colon, and rectum). Chlorate treatment reduced E. coli O157:H7 counts throughout the intestinal tract but did not alter total culturable anaerobic bacterial counts or the ruminal fermentation pattern. Therefore, it appears that chlorate supplementation is a viable potential strategy to reduce E. coli O157:H7 populations in cattle prior to harvest.
Analysis of Centralizer Mount Position of Rod String of Screw Pump Based on Rotor Dynamics Method

As wide using of screw pump oil recovery technology,the problem of deviating-fraction of rod string was more and more serious.Starting from the comprehensive analysis of rod string's stress distribution,the rotor dynamics model of rod string was contribute.The simulation was carried out using bearing element and space beam element.Combining the La10-2435 well structure and the result of ANSYS analysis,a case of centralizer mount position which is more reasonable was provided.The calculated results indicate that this method could mainly predict eccentric wear position where transverse displacement was larger.
Imaging of filter-grown epithelial cells: MDCK Na+-H+ exchanger is basolateral

We report a simple method for growing epithelial cells on permeable supports and for imaging the cells from the apical side using an inverted microscope. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were...
Broadcast Applications of Glyphosate Control Nutsedge at a South Georgia Forest Tree Nursery

Nutsedge is a mujor weedprohlem in some southernforest tree nurseries . Al though herbicides curt control most weeds in nurseries, control ofnutsedge is usually dependent on fumigation. The purpose of this s tudy was to examine the e f fect iveness of broadcast uppl icat ions of glyphosate ,for control of nutsedge. Single and mul t iple appl icat ions of g lyphosate at 2 .2 kg &ha greutly reduced the density of nutsedge shoots and viable tubers at a south Georgia forest tree nursery. The,first applicat ion in June 1999 reduced nutsedge shoots by approximately 98%. Subsequent uppl icat ions during September and October 1999 had no addi t ional detectable ejj5ect. Al though uppl icat ions in August and September2000 great ly reduced the amount of nutsedge in previously untreated areas, their e f fect d id not uppeur to be as great as glyphosate appl icat ions during the f irs t year. Rainfhll before and af ter glyphosate appl icat ions, undplunt age at the t ime of applicat ion may have influenced the level of nutsedge control in year two. Nutsedge shoots and viable tubers were reduced to neur zero levels in plots treated over u 2 yrperiod. The use of broudcast appl icat ions qf glyphosate may be of value in developing a more cost-ef fective mnnagementprogrum,for nutsedge control in southern,forest tree nurseries . South. J. Appl. For. 27(3):176-l 79 .
The characteristics of GeSn p-n junction devices fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy

Germanium-tin is an emerging optoelectronic material, but its device properties are not yet well understood. To evaluate the feasibility of GeSn-based p-n junction diodes for device and circuit applications, layers of doped GeSn with Sn contents up to 10 % were grown by the method of solid source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) at substrate temperatures near 150 °C, on Ge substrates as shown in Fig. 1 (left panel). Prior to growth, a high temperature desorption step at 850 °C for 15 minutes was used to remove the Ge surface oxides. During GeSn growth, phosphorus was used for n-type doping from a custom baffled GaP sublimation source. Boron was used as a p-type dopant from a high temperature effusion cell. The presence of dopants in the GeSn layers was verified by SIMS impurity profiling as shown in Fig. 1 (right panel). The electrical activity of the dopants was checked by the sign of the thermoelectric power and the electrical behavior of the diodes.
The NSA and an Imperfect World

As the summer winds down, it seems like very few days have gone by without something in the news about the continuing drama associated with the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance programs, leaked to various news outlets at the beginning of the summer. Today was a relatively quiet day, with only a press release from Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) pledging more NSA oversight. But it has been hard to escape the virtually non-stop reporting, commentary and hand-wringing that has gone on since the story broke in early June. The breadth of reporting and commentary begs the question: What more is there to write about? There are, of course, ongoing developments that can be addressed, and commentary to be commented upon. In reviewing the various articles and commentary, however, it is somewhat difficult to get a handle on what the NSA is actually doing, under what authority (legal or otherwise) the NSA doing it, what information they are obtaining, and what they can do with that information.
FoxM1c counteracts oxidative stress-induced senescence in mouse embryonic fibroblasts by up-regulation of Bmi-1 expression

B1 The Forkhead box transcription factor FoxM1 is expressed in proliferating cells. Depletion of FoxM1 in mice and various mouse and human cell lines led to cell cycle defects and chromosomal instability. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from knockout mice displayed premature senescence but the underlying cause remained unclear. To investigate the regulatory role of FoxM1 in stress-induced premature senescence, we established NIH3T3 lines with doxycycline-inducible over-expression of FoxM1c. Treatment of these lines with sub-lethal doses (20 µM and 100 µM) of H2O2 induced senescence with β-galactosidase expression and elevated levels of p53 and p21. Interestingly, induction of FoxM1c expression dramatically suppressed senescence and expression of p53 and p21. Consistent with a down-regulation of the p19Arf-p53 pathway, p19Arf levels decreased while expression of the Polycomb group protein Bmi-1 was induced. Bmi-1 as a downstream target of FoxM1c was supported by the dose-dependent induction of Bmi-1 by FoxM1c which occurred at both the protein and RNA levels. Knockdown of FoxM1 expression by RNA interference decreased Bmi-1 expression and both FoxM1c and Bmi-1 reached maximal levels in cells at G2/M phase. Using Bmi-1 promoter-reporters with wildtype and mutated c-Myc sites and shRNAs targeting against c-Myc, we further demonstrated that FoxM1 activated Bmi-1 expression via c-Myc which was recently reported to be a FoxM1 target gene. Our results revealed a functional link between FoxM1c, c-Myc and Bmi-1 which are major regulators of tumorigenesis and have important implication in the regulation of cell proliferation and senescence.
Biased and Broken Bodies of Proof: White Heteropatriarchy, the Grand Jury Process, and Performance on Unarmed Black Flesh

Although scholars have theorized about systemic racialized police violence, less attention has been given to systemic practices in the investigations and grand jury proceedings surrounding cases of excessive police force and black bodies. This article, focusing on the shooting death of Michael Brown, emphasizes that it was not just the killing itself, but also the investigation and grand jury proceeding, which exemplify white heteropatriarchal performance on vulnerable bodies.
Learning From Waiver States: Coverage Effects Under Indiana’s HIP Medicaid Expansion

In 2015, Indiana expanded eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through a unique waiver, Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0, which requires enrollees to make monthly contributions to an account that is similar to a health savings account to receive full benefits. Enrollees who fail to make these contributions receive less generous benefits if their income is below the federal poverty level, and if it is 100–138 percent of poverty, they are locked out of coverage for six months. We estimated the impact of this expansion on coverage rates and compared the effects to results from other states that expanded Medicaid after 2014. We found that Indiana’s coverage gains (relative to pre-ACA uninsurance rates) were smaller than gains in neighboring expansion states, but larger than those in other states. These results imply that while one potential reason for Indiana’s lower gains relative to neighboring states was its cost-sharing requirements, expansion led to unquestionable coverage gains in the state.
Comparison of Two Classifications of Schizophrenia: Acute-Chronic and High-and-Low Competent on Comprehensive Functioning and Stress Derived From the SSFIPD

As we have shown in the two previous chapters, the prediction of outcome in schizophrenia in terms of specific psychosocial factors is still debated between the researcher who would like to reduce prediction to its instrumental functioning level and the researcher who would approach it on a global level. A good example of this debate is between the social competence school and the supporters of comprehensive psychosocial functioning in the community. This delemna affects not only the prediction of schizophrenia, but also its classifications.
Abstract TMP63: Simplified SAVE Large Vessel Occlusion Prediction Scale Performs Similarly to More Complex Scales

Introduction: Prehospital Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) prediction scales report accuracies near 80% but vary in complexity and exam items tested. NIHSS subscores of Best Gaze, Motor Arm, Visual fie...
Probability of Coexistence of LTE-LAA and WLAN Systems Based on Delay Constraints

To support efficient spectrum sharing and related standardization efforts in unlicensed spectrum, it is important to develop analytical tools to accurately quantify coexistence performance between long-term evolution license assisted access (LTE-LAA) and incumbent systems, such as wireless local area network (WLAN). Though joint throughput of spectrum sharing LTE-LAA and WLAN systems has been extensively studied, there lacks a systematic study on a high level metric - the probability of coexistence (PoC), which indicates whether coexistence is successful or not probabilistically. Another problem is that the majority of available results either ignored delay constraints, or studied only the mean (or variance) of delay, but have not considered the delay distribution and its impact on throughput. To address these problems, we define and analyze the original PoC metrics between LTE-LAA and WLAN systems based on two practical delay constraints. The first PoC is derived from the joint distribution probability of delays for successful transmissions; and the second PoC is defined upon the joint probability of delay-constrained throughput (DCT) of LAA and WLAN systems. To address the technical difficulties involved, we design a novel analytical framework to evaluate the moment generating function and cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the delay, and a new method to evaluate the DCT and its CDF. Consequently, the PoCs can be evaluated accurately with low complexity. The analytical results are verified by our Monte Carlo simulations, which demonstrate impacts of delay and throughput requirements on the PoCs, and illustrate design tradeoffs and insightful findings. These results provide theoretical and practical value for designing improved LTE-LAA and WLAN systems, and may be extended to other emerging spectrum sharing communication systems.
Abstract WP408: Time of Day Negatively Impacts Key Acute Stroke Metrics at a Large Academic Center

Background/Objective: Higher volumes in the emergency department (ED) and lower staffing ratios exist during hospital “off hours,” outside of weekday business hours, but the impact of these factors...
Detection of Histone H2AX Phosphorylation on Ser-139 as an Indicator of DNA Damage

This unit describes immunocytochemical detection of histone H2AX phosphorylated on Ser-139 (γH2AX) to reveal DNA damage, particularly when the damage involves the presence of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). These breaks often result from DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation or by treatment with anticancer drugs such as DNA topoisomerase inhibitors. Furthermore, DSBs are generated in the course of DNA fragmentation during apoptosis. The unit presents strategies to distinguish radiation- or drug-induced DNA breaks from those intrinsically formed in untreated cells or associated with apoptosis. The protocol describes immunocytochemical detection of γH2AX combined with measurement of DNA content to identify cells that have DNA damage and concurrently to assess their cell-cycle phase. The detection is based on indirect immunofluorescence using FITC- or Alexa Fluor 488-labeled antibody, with DNA counterstained with propidium iodide and cellular RNA removed with RNase A. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in Normotension Restrain Vasodilation in Resistance Arteries.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been described as novel biomarkers and bioactivators in vascular dysfunction in hypertension. However, the mechanism(s) by which EVs affect vascular function is un...
Design and status of the micro-x microcalorimeter sounding rocket

The Micro-X High Resolution Microcalorimeter X-Ray Imaging Rocket is a sounding rocket mission that will observe Supernova Remnants and search for keV-scale sterile neutrino dark matter. Micro-X will combine the excellent energy resolution of Transition Edge Sensor microcalorimeters with the imaging capabilities of a conical imaging mirror to map extended and point X-ray sources with an unprecedented combination of energy and spatial resolution. The payload has been designed to operate in the challenging conditions of a sounding rocket flight and to achieve sensitive results, in a single five-minute exposure, for each of these science goals. Micro-X's unique design considerations are presented here, along with the status of the instrument and projections for the upcoming flights. The first Micro-X flight in 2018 will observe the Puppis A supernova remnant, where it will attain nearly 13,000 counts in the 300 s exposure. The second Micro-X flight will observe the Galactic Center to search for keV-scale dark matter and explore the nature of the unexplained 3.5 keV line observed by X-ray satellites.
Quantitative sudomotor abnormalities in clinically isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder.

Abstract Background Post-ganglionic sudomotor abnormalities are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), however data in clinically isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) are limited. Objective To determine the prevalence of sudomotor abnormalities in a cohort of patients with iRBD. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients seen in our autonomic clinic who underwent testing with the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART). We identified three groups for comparison: 1.) iRBD, 2.) PD with RBD (PDwRBD) 3.) PD without RBD (PDwoRBD). Results PDwRBD (n = 27) patients demonstrated the greatest sudomotor abnormalities (sudomotor CASS 1.44 ± 1.24), followed by PDwoRBD (n = 23, 0.57 ± 0.5) and iRBD (n = 20, 0.55 ± 0.94) (p = 0.015). Twenty percent of patients with iRBD had an abnormal result, compared to 67% PDwRBD and 35% PDwoRBD. Discussion Sudomotor abnormalities are common in patients with iRBD, supporting the concept that peripheral autonomic impairment occurs early in the course of disease.
Temporal Changes in Fibrinolysis following Injury.

Trauma patients present to the emergency department with a spectrum of fibrinolytic activity. This wide variance in fibrinolysis activity is a complex multifactorial process impacted by the degree of hemorrhagic shock and the amount of tissue injury the individual sustains. The fibrinolytic activity of the trauma patient at presentation to the hospital has prognostic and therapeutic implications. Those patients with high fibrinolytic activity (hyperfibrinolysis) are at risk of mortality from hemorrhage, whereas those patients with low fibrinolytic activity (shutdown or hypofibrinolysis) are at an increased risk of delayed mortality from traumatic brain injury or organ failure. These phenotypes of fibrinolysis acutely following injury change with resuscitation, and the majority of trauma patients will transition to a fibrinolytic resistant state several hours after injury. The mechanism for this near-global transition to this acquired fibrinolysis appears to be related to the generation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the liver. Those patients who do not recover from this fibrinolytic state 24 hours after injury have a poor prognosis. The purpose of this article is to review the different states of fibrinolytic activity following injury and how they change over time following resuscitation and in the intensive care unit.
Optimization-based optical diffraction tomography with spatially incoherent illumination (Conference Presentation)

Typical quantitative refractive index (RI) imaging methods (e.g. optical diffraction tomography) use coherent illumination and interferometric detection to reconstruct 3D phase objects. We have developed a new technique to perform accurate ODT reconstructions using spatially incoherent illumination. This technique reconstructs the RI by minimizing the difference between simulated and interferometrically measured cross-correlation between the diffracted field and a reference image of the illumination, using the fast iterative shrinkage / thresholding algorithm (FISTA) framework. We numerically validate this technique by comparing results obtained with spatially incoherent illumination, to those obtained with coherent illumination, and obtain high-resolution reconstructions of similar quality.
Class waivers to the non-manufacturer rule: Effects on small business utilization in public procurement

Public procurement officials frequently purchase through indirect marketing and distribution channels, separating buyers from manufacturers. Normally to fulfill small business set-aside requirement...
Aerodynamic Outcomes of Four Common Voice Disorders: Moving Toward Disorder-Specific Assessment

Summary Objectives The two goals of the present study were to (1) determine the ability of commonly used aerodynamic voice measures to capture change as a function of known interventions and (2) determine if certain aerodynamic measures demonstrate better responsiveness to change in specific disorder types than others. Study Design This is a retrospective, longitudinal, single-blinded, cross-sectional study. Methods Patients (n = 70) with a single voice disorder diagnosis of benign vocal fold lesions (lesions), unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP), primary muscle tension dysphonia (MTD-1), or vocal fold atrophy (atrophy) underwent baseline testing, a single intervention (phonosurgery or voice therapy), and follow-up testing. Common aerodynamic measurements were completed in repeated syllables and an all-voiced sentence. Results Statistically significant improvements were observed for two outcome measures, average airflow in syllables, and average airflow in the all-voiced sentence. Patients with lesions, UVFP, and MTD-1 improved in average airflow in the all-voiced sentence. Patients with UVFP also improved in airflow in syllables. Conclusions Average airflow in the all-voiced sentence changed as a function of treatment for the lesion, MTD-1, and UVFP groups, demonstrating a disorder-specific pattern. Laryngeal airway resistance, and estimates of average subglottal pressure did not show significant change. Average airflow in the all-voiced sentence measurements is recommended as a routine voice measure, and further investigation of other aerodynamic measures' sensitivity to change is warranted.
NEW NUCLIDES $sup 19$Na AND $sup 23$Al OBSERVED VIA THE (p,$sup 6$He) REACTION.

By employing the reactions $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}(p,^{6}\mathrm{He})^{19}\mathrm{Na}$ and $^{28}\mathrm{Si}(p,^{6}\mathrm{He})^{23}\mathrm{Al}$ [$\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{d\ensuremath{\Omega}}\ensuremath{\sim}100$ nb/sr], the mass excesses of $^{19}\mathrm{Na}$ and $^{23}\mathrm{Al}$ are found to be 12.974 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.070 and 6.766 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.080 MeV, respectively [$^{12}\mathrm{C}$ = 0]. Since $^{19}\mathrm{Na}$ is determined to be proton unstable, $^{23}\mathrm{Al}$ should be the lightest, nucleon-stable member of the $A=4n+3$, ${T}_{Z}=\ensuremath{-}\frac{3}{2}$ mass series.
Chemogenetic Activation of Mesoaccumbal Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Projections Selectively Tunes Responses to Predictive Cues When Reward Value Is Abruptly Decreased

Abstract Background Mesolimbic circuits regulate the attribution of motivational significance to incentive cues that predict reward, yet this network also plays a key role in adapting reward-seeking behavior when the contingencies linked to a cue unexpectedly change. Here, we asked whether mesoaccumbal GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) projections enhance adaptive responding to incentive cues of abruptly altered reward value, and whether these effects were distinct from global activation of all ventral tegmental area GABA circuits. Methods We used a viral targeting system to chemogenetically activate mesoaccumbal GABA projections in male rats during a novel cue-dependent operant value-shifting task, in which the volume of a sucrose reward associated with a predictive cue is suddenly altered, from the beginning and throughout the session. We compared the results with global activation of ventral tegmental area GABA neurons, which will activate local inhibitory circuits and long loop projections. Results We found that activation of mesoaccumbal GABA projections decreases responding to incentive cues associated with smaller-than-expected rewards. This tuning of behavioral responses was specific to cues associated with smaller-than-expected rewards but did not impact measures related to consuming the reward. In marked contrast, activating all ventral tegmental area GABA neurons resulted in a uniform decrease in responding to incentive cues irrespective of changes in the size of the reward. Conclusions Targeted activation of mesoaccumbal GABA neurons facilitates adaptation in reward-seeking behaviors. This suggests that these projections may play a very specific role in associative learning processes.
The X-ray Faint Early-Type Galaxy NGC4697

We analyze archival ROSAT HRI, ROSAT PSPC, and ASCA data of the X-ray faint early-type galaxy NGC4697. The joint ROSAT PSPC + ASCA spectrum is fit by a two-component thermal model, a MEKAL model with kT_{MEKAL}=0.26^{+0.04}_{-0.03} keV with low metallicity and a bremsstrahlung model with kT_{BREM}=5.2^{+3.0}_{-1.6} keV. A similar model was found to fit the spectra of another faint early-type galaxy (NGC4382) and the bulge of M31. We interpret this soft emission as a combination of emission from a soft component of low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) and from a low temperature interstellar medium, although the relative contributions of the two components could not be determined. Twelve point sources were identified within 4' of NGC4697, of which 11 are most likely LMXBs associated with the galaxy. The soft X-ray colors of four of the LMXBs in NGC4697 support the claim that LMXBs possess a soft spectral component. Finally, we present a simulation of what we believe the Chandra data of NGC4697 will look like.
Darbepoetin as a neuroprotective agent in mild neonatal encephalopathy: a randomized, placebo-controlled, feasibility trial.

Objective To assess the feasibility and safety of one dose of Darbepoetin alpha (Darbe) administered to neonates ≥34 weeks with mild neonatal encephalopathy (NE). Methods Randomized, masked, placebo-controlled study including neonates ≥34 weeks gestation with mild NE. Neonates were randomized to receive one dose of Darbe (10 μg/kg IV) or placebo. Clinical and laboratory maternal and newborn data were collected. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition (Bayley-III) and a standardized neurological examination at 8-12 months of corrected age were assessed. Results There were no differences in baseline characteristics of the 21 infants randomized (9 Darbe, 12 placebo). Adverse events were not reported at any time. Bayley-III scores were average in both Darbe and placebo groups. Conclusion This study demonstrates that a randomized, masked, placebo-controlled trial is safe and feasible. A large, randomized trial is warranted to assess the effect of Darbe in this population.
The role of the cell surface in the migration of primordial germ cells in early chick embryos: effects of concanavalin A.

Effects of concanavalin A (Con A) on the morphology and migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in stage-6 to -12 chick embryos were investigated. Con A, at a sublethal dose (10µg/ml), inhibited migration of PGCs from the germinal crescent area to other parts of the embryo. Affected PGCs were more rounded without the usual cytoplasmic extensions, but the integrity of other structures was unaffected. Nearly identical results were obtained with another lectin, wheat germ agglutinin (10µg/ml). Histochemistry using Con A-horseradish peroxidase revealed that PGCs in control embryos had a thin, rather uniform layer of extracellular coat material (ECM). Con A appeared to alter the distribution of ECM on PGCs, i.e. some parts of the cell surface were devoid of any detectable ECM, while others had small, scattered patches of ECM. Con A effects were alleviated by α-methyl-d-mannoside. Overall results of the present study indicated that the observed inhibition of PGC migration in early chick embryos is a consequence of Con A-induced alterations of cell surface properties.
Abstract 161: Age and Sex Influence the Neutrophil Response to Ischemic Stroke in Mice and Humans

Background and Purpose: Age and sex have important effects on stroke-induced inflammation. We conducted CBC analysis and RNA-sequencing of ischemic stroke patient blood, with follow-up studies in a...