cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity Moderates the Association Between Pain and PTSD in Treatment-Seeking Veterans.

Objective. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pain are frequently comorbid conditions that can result in bidirectional exacerbations. Initial research suggests physical activity may prevent PTSD symptoms or assist with recovery. Unfortunately, Veterans with PTSD are less likely to engage in physical activity, often citing pain as a primary reason. The current study examines the potential role of physical activity as a moderator of the pain and PTSD relationship. Design. Data were collected from 239 Veterans who were seeking PTSD treatment at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital between 2006 and 2013. Veterans completed the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) to measure PTSD severity and self-report inventories to measure pain and physical activity. Multiple moderated linear regressions were used to examine the influence of physical activity on the relationship between pain and PTSD symptoms. Results. Pain severity and interference were associated with more severe PTSD. Physical activity did not have main effects on PTSD severity. However, it did moderate the relationship between PTSD and pain, such that those who were active, despite high levels of pain severity or pain interference, had fewer PTSD symptoms. Conclusions. For Veterans seeking treatment for PTSD, physical activity was particularly salient for those reporting high levels of pain severity and intensity. While assessment of pain is recommended with all Veterans, it may also be beneficial to evaluate physical activity in those with prominent pain complaints. Further examination of the role of exercise in integrated care for pain and PTSD is warranted.
FRIB Cryogenic Distribution System and Status

The MSU-FRIB cryogenic distribution system supports the 2 K primary, 4 K primary, and 35 - 55 K shield operation of more than 70 loads in the accelerator and the experimental areas. It is based on JLab and SNS experience with bayonet-type disconnects between the loads and the distribution system for phased commissioning and maintenance. The linac transfer line, which features three separate transfer line segments for additional independence during phased commissioning at 4 K and 2 K, connects the folded arrangement of 49 cryomodules and 4 superconducting dipole magnets and a fourth transfer line supports the separator area cryo loads. The pressure reliefs for the transfer line process lines, located in the refrigeration room outside the tunnel/accelerator area, are piped to be vented outdoors. The transfer line designs integrate supply and return flow paths into a combined vacuum space. The main linac distribution segments are produced in a small number of standard configurations; a prototype of one such configuration has been fabricated at Jefferson Lab and has been installed at MSU to support testing of a prototype FRIB cryomodule.
Assessing Run-time Overhead of Securing Kepler

Abstract We have developed a model for securing data-flow based application chains. We have imple- mented the model in the form of an add-on package for the scientific workflow system called Kepler. Our Security Analysis Package (SAP) leverages Kepler's Provenance Recorder (PR). SAP secures data flows from external input-based attacks, from access to unauthorized exter- nal sites, and from data integrity issues. It is not a surprise that cost of real-time security is a certain amount of run-time overhead. About half of the overhead appears to come from the use of the Kepler PR and the other half from security function added by SAP.
Safety and effectiveness of anterior fundoplication sleeve gastrectomy in patients with severe reflux

Abstract Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has become a popular bariatric surgery in recent years. However, it has been linked to worsening or newly developed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the postoperative period. Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of anterior fundoplication sleeve gastrectomy in patients with reflux. Setting Academic hospital, United States. Methods We prospectively collected data on 31 sleeve gastrectomy patients who concurrently underwent anterior fundoplication between July 2014 and March 2016. Patients were selected when they reported severe reflux before the procedure. Each patient was interviewed using the GERD score questionnaire (scaled severity and frequency of heartburn, regurgitation, epigastric pain, epigastric fullness, dysphagia, and cough) before and 4 months after the procedure. Results Our patients comprised 27 females and 4 males with a mean age of 49.9±9.6 years (range, 29–63 yr). They had a mean preoperative body mass index of 42.8±5.6 kg/m 2 (range, 33.3–58.4 kg/m 2 ), and 67.7% (n = 21) of these patients underwent hiatal hernia repair as well. Preoperatively, patients had a mean heartburn score of 7.4±3.6 (range, 1–12), regurgitation score of 5.4±4.1 (range, 0–12), epigastric pain score of 2.1±3.2 (range, 0–12), epigastric fullness score of 2.7±3.9 (range, 0–12), dysphagia score of 1.3±2.2 (range, 0–9), and cough score of .9±1.8 (range, 0–6). Mean preoperative GERD score was 18.9±9.8 (range, 6–36) in these patients. Patients were interviewed with the same questionnaire approximately 4 months postoperative. Patients had a mean heartburn score of 1.5±3.2 (range, 0–12), regurgitation score of .9±1.7 (range, 0–8), epigastric pain score of .4±1.1 (range, 0–4), epigastric fullness score of 1.1±2.4 (range, 0–8), dysphagia score of .3±1.1 (range, 0–6), and cough score of 0. Mean postoperative GERD score dropped down to 4.1±5.8 (range, 0–28), and the difference was statistically significant (P Conclusion Anterior fundoplication sleeve gastrectomy may be a safe and effective alternative in obese patients with severe reflux who want to undergo sleeve gastrectomy.
The Journal Impact Factor

(2012). The Journal Impact Factor. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 83, No. 5, pp. 52-55.
Lane-precise localization of intelligent vehicles using the surrounding object constellation

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) towards autonomous driving require an ego vehicle localization on maps to be able to use the map data for e.g. behavior and trajectory prediction of traffic participants.
Tailoring surface conditions for enhanced reactivity of aluminum powders with solid oxidizing agents

Abstract The effect of processing liquids on particle surface hydration and subsequent reactivity of mixtures containing aluminum (Al) with different oxidizing agents was investigated. Recently, polar processing liquids were shown to significantly increase the surface hydration layer on Al particles and effect the reactivity of Al combined with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Processing mixtures of Al and PTFE using hexane (e.g., a non-polar liquid) limited surface hydration and produced significantly lower flame speeds than the same mixture processed in isopropanol (e.g., a polar liquid). Increased surface hydroxyl concentration was linked to higher exothermic behavior within a pre-ignition reaction (PIR) which may contribute to higher overall flame speed. This study extends the previous analysis toward assessing the influence of processing liquid on reactivity of aluminum with other oxidizing agents, specifically CuO, MoO 3 and I 2 O 5 . Results from DSC analysis show no PIR kinetics associated with Al and CuO or MoO 3 , and Al+ CuO showed no difference in reactivity as a function of processing liquid. But, MoO 3 FTIR shows modified surface structures after treatment in a polar solvent. Correspondingly, Al + MoO 3 processed in polar solvent exhibited increased flame speed by 19% when compared to Al + MoO 3 processed in a non-polar liquid. For Al + I 2 O 5 , water in polar processing liquids produces various hydrated states of iodic acid (i.e., HIO 3 and HI 3 O 8 ). Changing the hydration state of I 2 O 5 significantly impacts reactivity. Results from this study confirm that carrier fluid used to process Al with metal oxides can also alter the surface structure of the metal oxide, thereby promoting greater reactivity with Al. A polar carrier fluid not only modifies the surface of Al but also hydration sensitive metal oxides such as MoO 3 and correspondingly promotes greater reactivity.
Smart Building Applications and Information System Hardware Co-Design

Nowadays, there are emerging applications in building operation and management to advance the idea of “smart building.” Examples are demand-driven HVAC operation management and indoor localization-based smart building service. These smart building applications are based on new information system hardware. Despite the increasing interests of smart buildings, current research efforts has mainly been made at one particular level such as application, while ignoring the interactive relationship among different levels. Designing an efficient smart building application requires a comprehensive understanding of information system hardware. It is imperative to investigate the design trade-offs and considerations when architecting smart buildings. We envision the necessity and importance of application and hardware co-design. Through a case study, we show it is absolutely necessary to optimize the smart building design from a system perspective by leveraging the benefits of application and hardware co-design.
Discovery of N-Substituted (2-Phenylcyclopropyl)methylamines as Functionally Selective Serotonin 2C Receptor Agonists for Potential Use as Antipsychotic Medications

A series of N-substituted (2-phenylcyclopropyl)methylamines were designed and synthesized, with the aim of finding serotonin 2C (5-HT2C)-selective agonists with a preference for Gq signaling. A number of these compounds exhibit 5-HT2C selectivity with a preference for Gq-mediated signaling compared with β-arrestin recruitment. Furthermore, the N-methyl compound (+)-15a, which displayed an EC50 of 23 nM in the calcium flux assay while showing no β-arrestin recruitment activity, is the most functionally selective 5-HT2C agonist reported to date. The N-benzyl compound (+)-19, which showed an EC50 of 24 nM at the 5-HT2C receptor, is fully selective over the 5-HT2B receptor. In an amphetamine-induced hyperactivity model, compound (+)-19 showed significant antipsychotic-drug-like activity. These novel compounds shed light on the role of functional selectivity at the 5-HT2C receptor with respect to antipsychotic activity.
Activism and Love: Loving White People Through the Struggle

Love, as a radical, revolutionary concept, is necessary in social justice work. This chapter is an example of the deep and difficult struggle that is inherent in the act of social justice pedagogy and activism. We can sometimes forget that although we have come into critical consciousness around race and gender oppressions (in this particular case), it is constant work to disrupt the attempts we make to undo, critique, and eradicate our favorable positions to power and dominance. Understanding how to love radically and transformatively sustains people of color as we do the difficult work of sitting in relationship with and working to dismantle power hierarchies with white people who must learn to undo deeply internalized dominance.
Anomaly Detection and Classification in a Laser Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Process using a Trained Computer Vision Algorithm

Abstract Despite the rapid adoption of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) Additive Manufacturing by industry, current processes remain largely open-loop, with limited real-time monitoring capabilities. While some machines offer powder bed visualization during builds, they lack automated analysis capability. This work presents an approach for in-situ monitoring and analysis of powder bed images with the potential to become a component of a real-time control system in an LPBF machine. Specifically, a computer vision algorithm is used to automatically detect and classify anomalies that occur during the powder spreading stage of the process. Anomaly detection and classification are implemented using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, operating on a moderately-sized training database of image patches. The performance of the final algorithm is evaluated, and its usefulness as a standalone software package is demonstrated with several case studies.
Effects of DC Bias Tuning on Air-Coupled PZT Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers

In this paper, we report an air-coupled piezoelectric ultrasonic micromachined transducer (PMUT) using a lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) piezoelectric layer. A dc bias voltage applied to the PZT film controls its polarization and intrinsic stress, tuning the frequencies of two closely-spaced resonance modes of the rectangular shaped PMUT. At an optimal bias voltage of approximately 5 V, the modes nearly overlap at 230 kHz, increasing the bandwidth by a factor of 8 relative to the zero dc biased state. Measurements of the electromechanical coupling coefficient of the PZT film show that it is maximized at 5-6 V, agreeing with device performance experiments. Acoustic transmission and reception were demonstrated using two identical PMUTs by adding the optimum dc bias of 6 V to the 1.4 V peak-to-peak ac voltage which is maximum within the linear displacement regime. The signal detectable range of the transmit and receive measurement with optimum dc bias tuning was 4 cm to 19 cm in air. [2017-0223]
Predicting daily PM2.5 concentrations in Texas using high-resolution satellite aerosol optical depth.

Abstract Background and objective The regulatory monitoring data of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter Methods We obtained the AOD values at 1-km resolution generated through the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm based on the images retrieved from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellites. We then developed mixed-effects models based on AODs, land use features, geographic characteristics, and weather conditions, and the day-specific as well as site-specific random effects to estimate the PM2.5 concentrations (μg/m3) in the state of Texas during the period 2008–2013. The mixed-effects models' performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2) and square root of the mean squared prediction error (RMSPE) from ten-fold cross-validation, which randomly selected 90% of the observations for training purpose and 10% of the observations for assessing the models' true prediction ability. Results Mixed-effects regression models showed good prediction performance (R2 values from 10-fold cross validation: 0.63–0.69). The model performance varied by regions and study years, and the East region of Texas, and year of 2009 presented relatively higher prediction precision (R2: 0.62 for the East region; R2: 0.69 for the year of 2009). The PM2.5 concentrations generated through our developed models at 1-km grid cells in the state of Texas showed a decreasing trend from 2008 to 2013 and a higher reduction of predicted PM2.5 in more polluted areas. Conclusions Our findings suggest that mixed-effects regression models developed based on MAIAC AOD are a feasible approach to predict ground-level PM2.5 in Texas. Predicted PM2.5 concentrations at the 1-km resolution on a daily basis can be used for epidemiological studies to investigate short- and long-term health impact of PM2.5 in Texas.
The Curious Case of 'Smith Dakota v. North Carolina': The Pathology of a Bad Cite in East Africa

This article was roused by errors. Its catalyst is the widespread misciting and misquoting of a US Supreme Court case by courts in Uganda and Kenya. The maltreated case is South Dakota v. North Carolina, 192 U.S. 286 (1904). Although this case is not prominent in recent American jurisprudence, it has managed to rise to prominence in East Africa. Unfortunately, the case’s eminence is marred by the courts’ failure to properly cite to and quote from the case. This article explores reasons why Ugandan and Kenyan appellate courts consistently miscite and misquote the case. By examining the causes that sustain the misreferencing we increase our understanding of the conditions and challenges facing common law judicial craft in post-colonial settings. Certain analytical perspectives are useful in this analysis. This article presents historic, socio-legal and comparative content to provide useful contextual grounding. Because this article is written for an American legal audience, the article uses American legal history and development as a comparative foil. The broader aim of this article is to improve the way that post-colonial judiciaries engage in and take ownership of the common law process. The article concludes with lessons that can be used going forward.
Trust-region based algorithms with low-budget for multi-objective optimization

In many practical multi-objective optimization problems, evaluations of objectives and constraints are computationally time-consuming because they require expensive simulations of complicated models. In this paper, we propose a metamodel-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to make a balance between error uncertainty and progress. In contrast to other trust region methods, our method deals with multiple trust regions. These regions can grow or shrink in size according to the deviation between metamodel prediction and high-fidelity evaluation. We introduce a performance indicator based on hypervolume to control the size of the trust regions. We compare our results with a standard metamodel-based approach without trust region and a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. The results suggest that our trust region based methods can effectively solve test and real-world problems using limited solution evaluations with increased accuracy.
a retrospective view of Richardson's book on weather prediction*

In 1922 Lewis F. Richardson published a comprehensive numerical method of weather prediction. He used height rather than pressure as vertical coordinate but recognized that a diagnostic equation for the vertical velocity is a necessary corollary to the quasi-static approximation. His vertical-velocity equation is the principal, substantive contribution of the book to dynamic meteorology. A comparison of Richardson's model with one now in operational use at the U. S. National Meteorological Center shows that, if only the essential attributes of these models are considered, there is virtually no fundamental difference between them. Even the vertical and horizontal resolutions of the models are similar. Richardson made a forecast at two grid points in central Europe and obtained catastrophic results, in particular a surface pressure change of 145 mb in 6 hours. This failure resulted partly, as Richardson believed, from inadequacies of upper wind data. Underlying this was a more fundamental difficulty which h...
Minimally invasive lumbar pedicle screw fixation using cortical bone trajectory - Screw accuracy, complications, and learning curve in 100 screw placements.

Abstract Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) is a novel pedicle insertion technique with comparable or superior mechanical properties and reduced invasiveness compared to traditional methods. We describe the screw accuracy, complications, and learning curve associated with CBT use. A prospective cohort study was performed involving 22 patients who underwent lumbar fusion with CBT screw placement. A total of 100 cortical screws were placed. Post-operative CT scans were reviewed to assess the adequacy of screw placement and calculate the incidence of vertebral body and pedicle breaches from cortical screw placement. Technique-related complications were examined. The entire surgical cohort was divided into two groups: early experience (first 11 patients) and late experience (last 11 patients), to study the effect of learning curve on CBT screw placement. Medial pedicle breach was observed in 6/100 cases and lateral vertebral body breach was observed in 1/100 cases. The incidence of durotomy related to the technique was 4.5% (N = 1/22). Post-surgical wound infection was seen in 9.1% of patients (N = 2/22). 66.7% (N = 4/6) of medial pedicle breaches, 100% (N = 1/1) of lateral breaches, 100% (N = 1/1) of CBT technique-related CSF leaks, and 100% (N = 2/2) of wound infections occurred in the early experience phase of our study (p = 0.0945). A shift in surgical technique and greater efficiency over time decreased the incidence of overall complications in the late cohort. The difference, however, did not reach statistical significance. A lateralized starting point for the cortical screw on the pars interarticularis and use of smaller diameter screws resulted in fewer medial pedicle out-fractures and breaches.
From health to performance

Building on theoretical foundation of personal information management (PIM) in information science, this paper seeks to understand how activity tracker users manage their personal health information generated by their devices and to elucidate future activity tracking technology in support of personal health information management (PHIM). This paper aims to discuss this issue.,The authors conducted a web survey study with a specific group of activity tracker users – amateur runners. This survey collected both quantitative and qualitative data on participants’ engagement with activity tracking technology, their PHIM practices with the information generated by the technology and how their needs were being met by their activity tracking technology use and PHIM practices.,Amateur runners surveyed in this study exhibit long-term engagement and frequent interaction with activity tracking technology. They also engage in PHIM practices by using a range of PHIM tools and performing various PHIM activities. Furthermore, they use activity tracking technology and engage in PHIM practices to meet various health/fitness-related needs and information needs, while some of these needs such as performance needs and overarching needs are only partially met or unmet.,This research discusses amateur runners as power users of activity tracking technology, provides timely updates to PIM and PHIM research in light of a new type of personal health information, and generates design considerations for future activity tracking technology in support of PHIM. It also brings together previously disparate research regarding everyday life PHIM in information science, human–computer interaction and health informatics.
Pertussis in children in an era of vaccination

Background: Pertussis incidence has been increasing despite high early childhood vaccination coverage. Various strategies have been recommended to combat this problem which includes cocooning, booster doses for adolescents and young adults, and more recently maternal intrapartum vaccination. A previous report had highlighted an increase in pertussis in infants. This review was done to evaluate if there has been any change in the prevalence in the subsequent 10 years. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study of admissions for pertussis in patients aged 0–18 years in a single-center tertiary maternal-pediatric hospital in Singapore from January 1, 2008, to October 31, 2017. Results: There were 221 cases identified. The majority were infants
Response to: 'Association of proton pump inhibitors with fracture risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis' by Sugiyama.

We appreciate the interest shown by Dr Sugiyama1 concerning our recent study on medications associated with fracture risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).2 He emphasises the lack of association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and fracture risk in patients with RA, which has been a conflicting issue for the general population. We agree that the previous studies showing an increased fracture risk with PPIs in the general population may be confounded by the indication as it is known that PPI …
Christians Encounter Death: The Tradition’s Ambivalent Legacies

The central focus for Christians has been on the death of Jesus Christ; it is his dying, death, and resurrection that has shaped what Christians have believed, taught, and hoped. Some implications and limits of this model for death include that it is difficult to consider death a neutral, “natural” event, given that the Christian focus has been on the violence, destruction, and link to sin involved in Jesus’ death. Although diversity in the practice and experience of Christians is recognized, the central issues regarding Jesus’ death persist within the Christian tradition’s understanding of how death fits within the totality of human existence.
Atypical Valsalva retinopathy from habitual ear popping.

Author(s): Liu, Yingna; Haq, Zeeshan; Stewart, Jay M | Abstract: Purpose:To report a unique case of Valsalva retinopathy associated with ear popping behavior. Observations:A 57-year-old woman with a history of well-controlled hypertension presented with episodes of seeing "spots" in her left eye for many years. Her most recent episode failed to resolve spontaneously. Fundus examination revealed scattered retinal hemorrhages in the left eye, and optical coherence tomography demonstrated sub-internal limiting membrane location of these hemorrhages. Fluorescein angiography did not reveal any vascular abnormalities. Based on these findings and an in-depth review of systems, a diagnosis of Valsalva retinopathy was made associated with patient's ear popping habit. Conclusions and importance:Habitual ear popping can be a potential etiology of symptomatic Valsalva retinopathy. This under-appreciated association may be clinically relevant for patients with a history of suspected Eustachian tube narrowing or dysfunction.
Incorporating Quality Assurance in Pharmaceutical Compounding-related Courses in the PharmD Curricula.

The art and the skill set of compounding fulfill the important need of tailor-made pharmaceuticals for use by both institutions and individual patients. Over the last 20 years, there have been more than 200 adverse events involving compounded products; infections, poisonings, contaminations, and dosing inaccuracies have been problematic. The probability of a correlation between the lack of institutional training and number of serious events could be significant. This survey was an endeavor at fundamental cause analysis and proactive management in relation to the PharmD Curricula as a means of error prevention. A questionnaire was sent to the pharmacy school faculty (department chairs, dean/assistant deans, and pharmaceutical science faculty) across the country. The survey responses were received from 78 participants. The questionnaire evaluated the respondent's overall knowledge and approach toward the subject in their curriculum. The survey results show 38.9% faculty agree that their college's curricula lacks sufficient training in microbiological testing, and 16.7% faculty agree their college does not provide sufficient training in nonsterile and sterile compounding (as per United States Pharmacopeia Chapters and ). A majority of faculty agree on the implementation of quality assurance in compounding courses (as per United States Pharmacopeia Chapter ) as either an elective (62.5%) or mandatory class (43.3%), and most of the participants (85.1%) think there is a need to teach quality assurance as continuing education to practicing pharmacists. The survey data suggest a general desire for enhancement of compounding course curriculum, which could reduce the number of adverse events related to compounding. The data also suggests a necessity for the implementation of continuing education programs for practicing pharmacists and academic faculty across the country.
Please pass the peas: psychology, philosophy and welcome boundaries

This article argues that the data presented in Philosophy Within Its Proper Bounds are of greater interest to psychologists than to philosophers, and cautions experimental philosophers against some...
Data-Driven Service Delivery: Using Population and Coalition Data to Reengage Opportunity Youth in Career and Educational Pathways

Opportunity youth, 16- to 24-year-olds who are neither in school nor working, are a population that is difficult to engage and retain in services. Population-level data and local data from coalitio...
APPLYING THE LIFESPAN MODEL OF ETHNIC-RACIAL IDENTITY: EXPLORING AFFECT, BEHAVIOR, AND COGNITION TO PROMOTE WELL-BEING

This paper presents an application of the Lifespan Model of Ethnic-Racial Identity (ERI) Development (see Williams, et al., this volume). Using a tripartite approach, we present the affective, beha...
Federal regulation of drugs administered through feed

It is a pleasure for me to be part of this program on nutrition and nutritional diseases in food animals. Although my formal education was in animal nutrition, it has been very difficult to keep up with new advances. In fact, it has been difficult to maintain a working knowledge in amino acid nutrition, an area I spent many years researching. Therefore, I intend to listen attentively to what is said by others from this podium.
Impact of UAS with Low Size, Weight, and Power Sensors on Air Traffic Controllers’ Performance and Acceptability Ratings:

A human-in-the-loop simulation was conducted to evaluate the impact of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) with low size, weight, and power (SWaP) sensors operating in a busy, low-altitude sector. Use ...
Circular RNAs and Cardiovascular Regeneration

circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNAs that are widely present in eukaryotic cells. They have the characteristics of stable structure, high abundance, and cell or tissue specific expression. circRNAs are single-stranded RNAs that are covalently back spliced to form closed circular loops. They may participate in gene expression and regulation through a variety of action modes. circRNAs can encode proteins or function by acting as miRNA sponges for protein translation. Since 2016, a growing number of research studies have shown that circRNAs play important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. With the construction of circRNA database, the differential expression of circRNAs in the heart tissue samples from different species and the gradual elucidation of its mode of action in disease may become an ideal diagnosis biomarker and an effective therapeutic target. What can be expected surely has a broader application prospect. In this review, we summarize recent publications on circRNA biogenesis, expression profiles, functions, and the most recent studies of circRNAs in the field of cardiovascular diseases with special emphasis on cardiac regeneration.
MAGICAL 1.0: An Open-Source Fully-Automated AMS Layout Synthesis Framework Verified With a 40-nm 1GS/s Δ∑ ADC

The layout process is incredibly tedious as it is being exacerbated by technology scaling, where design rules become increasingly complicated in advanced nodes. While digital blocks’ layout can be easily synthesized, analog/mixed-signal (AMS) layout designs are still heavily manual, setting bottlenecks for time-to-market. Though endeavored in research for decades, the automation of AMS circuit layouts has not been as successful as its digital counterpart. The reason is rooted in the sensitiveness and complexity of AMS circuits layouts [1]. Researchers have proposed specialized digital-like AMS circuit architectures [2],[3], which are robust against layout mismatches. Those circuit architectures can be synthesized using commercial digital place-and-route (P&R) tools but fail to produce a general-purpose solution to other circuit architectures. On the other hand, procedure-based methodologies have been proposed to synthesize AMS circuits based on parameterized layout templates [4]. Procedure-based layout generators provide a standardized flow to migrate circuit layouts to different circuit sizings and manufacturing technologies. Still, they require a significant amount of manual effort to program the layout templates. While there are attempts to apply P&R algorithms on AMS layouts [1], to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior work has demonstrated a silicon-proven fully automated layout of a real-world mixed-signal system.
Effects of estradiol supplementation on the brain transcriptome of old rhesus macaques maintained on an obesogenic diet.

Obesity, the cessation of ovarian steroids with menopause, and age are risk factors for mood disorders, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, immediate hormone therapy (HT) after menopause may have beneficial effects in different brain regions involved in memory and cognition. To more closely replicate the age, endocrine, and metabolic environment of obese postmenopausal women, either on or off HT, middle-aged female rhesus macaques were ovariectomized/hysterectomized (OvH) and maintained on a high-fat, high-sugar, obesogenic Western-style diet (WSD) for 30 months; half of the animals received HT immediately after OvH and half served as placebo controls. RNAseq of the occipital (OC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus (HIP), and amygdala (AMG) identified 293, 379, 505, and 4993 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Pathway enrichment analysis identified an activation of neuroinflammation in OC and HIP, but an inhibition in the AMG with HT. Synaptogenesis, circadian rhythm, mitochondrial dysfunction, mTOR, glutamate, serotonin, GABA, dopamine, epinephrine/norepinephrine, glucocorticoid receptor signaling, neuronal NOS, and amyloid processing were exclusively enriched in AMG. As compared to the placebo control group, most of these signaling pathways are downregulated after HT, suggesting a protective effect of HT in OvH females under a WSD. Overall, our results suggest that a chronic obesogenic diet may induce a wide range of alterations in multiple signaling pathways that are linked to age-associated brain pathology and dementia. In these individuals, HT seems to have a protective effect against neuroinflammation, amyloid beta depositions, and tau tangle formation.
Critical problem solving scale : creating and choosing alternative solutions

OF THE THESIS CRITICAL PROBLEM SOLVING SCALE: CREATING AND CHOOSING ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS by Janene R. Bussell Florida International University, 1998 Miami, Florida Professor William M. Kurtines, Major Professor This thesis extends previous research on critical decision making and problem-solving by refining and validating a self-report measure designed to assess the use of critical decision making and problem solving in making life choices. The analysis was conducted by performing two studies, and therefore collecting two sets of data on the psychometric properties of the measure. Psychometric analyses included: item analysis, internal consistency reliability, interrater reliability, and an exploratory factor analysis. This study also included regression analysis with the Wonderlic, an established measure of general intelligence, to provide preliminary evidence for the construct validity of the measure.
DEPENDENCE STRUCTURE OF SOME BIVARIATE DISTRIBUTIONS

Dependence in the world of uncertainty is a complex concept. However, it exists, is asymmetric, has magnitude and direction, and can be measured. We use some measures of dependence between random events to illustrate how to apply it in the study of dependence between non-numeric bivariate variables and numeric random variables. Graphics show what is the inner dependence structure in the Clayton Archimedean copula and the Bivariate Poisson distribution. We know this approach is valid for studying the local dependence structure for any pair of random variables determined by its empirical or theoretical distribution. And it can be used also to simulate dependent events and dependent r/v/’s, but some restrictions apply. ACM Computing Classification System (1998): G.3, J.2.
Evaluating OpenMP 3.0 Run Time Systems on Unbalanced Task Graphs

The UTS benchmark is used to evaluate task parallelism in OpenMP 3.0 as implemented in a number of recently released compilers and run-time systems. UTS performs parallel search of an irregular and unpredictable search space, as arises e.g. in combinatorial optimization problems. As such UTS presents a highly unbalanced task graph that challenges scheduling, load balancing, termination detection, and task coarsening strategies. Scalability and overheads are compared for OpenMP 3.0, Cilk, and an OpenMP implementation of the benchmark without tasks that performs all scheduling, load balancing, and termination detection explicitly. Current OpenMP 3.0 implementations generally exhibit poor behavior on the UTS benchmark.
Effects of Dietary Macronutrients on Appetite-Related Hormones in Blood on Body Composition of Lean and Obese Rats

Investigating the role of appetite-related hormones on energy balance and body composition when varying diets are consumed could provide insight into the etiology of obesity. Fifty-three adult male Sprague Dawley and 30 adult male Zucker Fatty rats were assigned randomly to one of five diets: Control, 75% control, American Heart Association (AHA), Atkins, or high fat (HF). Diets were fed for five weeks. Weekly plasma samples were collected and analyzed for ghrelin, leptin, insulin, and adiponectin. Terminal plasma samples were analyzed for ghrelin, leptin, insulin, glucagon, oxyntomodulin, adiponectin, and blood metabolites. Our results indicate that macronutrient composition of the diet influences appetite-related hormones differently in genetically divergent rats. For example, glucagon concentration was higher in obese rats fed the Atkins diet in comparison to obese rats fed the HF and 75% control diets (P<0.05) and tended to be higher in obese rats fed the Atkins diet in comparison with rats fed the AHA and control diets (0.06
On building cybersecurity expertise in critical infrastructure protection

Cybersecurity professionals need training in critical infrastructure protection (CIP) to prepare them for solving problems in design, implementation, and maintenance of infrastructure assets. However, two major roadblocks exist: (1) the lack of necessary skills sets and (2) the frequent need for updates due to rapid changes in computing disciplines. To address these issues and build the needed expertise, this paper proposes a flexible training framework for integrating CIP into cybersecurity training. The foundation of this framework is a set of self-contained training modules; each module is a distinct unit for use by an instructor. Modules are meant to be integrated at different levels, with subsequent modules building on those presented earlier. As these modules are designed for frequent updating and/or replacement, the proposed approach is flexible. This paper develops the generalized CIP module-based training framework and outlines sample introductory and advanced training modules.
Haploinsufficiency for Stard7 is associated with enhanced allergic responses in lung and skin.

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects ∼20% of the population worldwide. Microarray analyses of nasal epithelial cells from acute asthmatic patients detected a 50% decrease in expression of Stard7, an intracellular phosphatidylcholine transport protein. To determine whether loss of Stard7 expression promotes allergic responses, mice were generated in which one allele of the Stard7 locus was globally disrupted ( Stard7 +/− mice). OVA sensitization and challenge of Stard7 +/− mice resulted in a significant increase in pulmonary inflammation, mucous cell metaplasia, airway hyperresponsiveness, and OVA-specific IgE compared with OVA-sensitized/challenged wild-type (WT) mice. This exacerbation was largely Th2-mediated with a significant increase in CD4 + IL-13 + T cells and IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 cytokines. The loss of Stard7 was also associated with increased lung epithelial permeability and activation of proinflammatory dendritic cells in sensitized and/or challenged Stard7 +/− mice. Notably, OVA-pulsed dendritic cells from Stard7 +/− mice were sufficient to confer an exaggerated allergic response in OVA-challenged WT mice, although airway hyperresponsiveness was greater in Stard7 +/− recipients compared with WT recipients. Enhanced allergic responses in the lung were accompanied by age-dependent development of spontaneous atopic dermatitis. Overall, these data suggest that Stard7 is an important component of a novel protective pathway in tissues exposed to the extracellular environment.
Effect of glucagon on size of visualized human gallbladder before and after a fat meal.

Four methods of measuring the size of the gallbladder shadow were employed in a study to determine the effect of the administration of glucagon and a fat meal on a standard cholecystogram. These methods included an estimate by an experienced roentgenologist, measurement of the width of the gallbladder shadow, determination of the weight of a photographic reproduction of the shadow, and estimation of the volume represented by the shadow. Some measure of the sensitivity of the methods of measure was obtained by determining the sample size needed to give statistical significance. At a ± 20% change of the over-all mean, approximately, 7, 7, 14, and 22 subjects for visual estimate, picture width, weight, and volume, respectively, would be needed to show a significant difference in response. Evaluation of the gallbladder shadow by the roentgenologist was most easily accomplished and was at least as good as any of the other methods. When a fat meal was given first or after glucagon there was a decrease in the size of the gallbladder shadow by all four methods. When glucagon was given first there was an increase in the width of the gallbladder shadow. No significant change was demonstrated with the other methods of evaluation. When glucagon was given after fat the gallbladder shadow increased in size significantly (P
Mechanism of Action of Topoisomerase II-Targeted Antineoplastic Drugs

Publisher Summary The type II enzyme of topoisomerases is required for proper chromosome structure and segregation, is involved in processes of DNA metabolism, and is essential for the survival of eukaryotic cells. The enzyme is the primary cellular target for a number of clinically relevant antineoplastic agents, many of which are highly active against human cancers. Among the antineoplastic drugs that target the type II enzyme are the intercalative agents amsacrine, mitoxantrone, and adriamycin, which are representatives of the anilinoacridines, anthracenediones, and anthracyclines, respectively, and the nonintercalative agents genistein, etoposide, and CP-115,953, which are representatives of the isoflavones, demethylepipodophyllotoxins, and quinolones, respectively. There are the ellipticines, actinomycins, and benzisoquinolinediones, all of which are intercalative, and the nitroimidazoles, which are nonintercalative. Because of the mechanism of drug action, cells that are treated with topoisomerase II-targeted agents accumulate high levels of protein-associated breaks in their genetic material. Thus, the higher the physiological content of the type II enzyme, the more potent the effect of drugs. This chapter acquaints the reader with the catalytic cycle of topoisomerase ll. The chapter discusses DNA binding, pre- and post- strand passage DNA cleavage/religation, DNA strand passage, ATP hydrolysis, and enzyme turnover. Cells treated with adriamycin or ellipticine contain high levels of protein-associated DNA breaks suggest that certain classes of antineoplastic agents acted by stabilizing covalent topoisomerase II-DNA complexes. The chapter elucidates the studies on quinolones as a mechanistic class of topoisomerase II-targeted drugs, details the observations on enzyme interaction domains for topoisomerase II-targeted drugs, and the possible ramifications of mechanistic diversity among topoisomerase Il-targeted drugs.
Estimation of true calcium absorption in men

When both calcium intake and calcium absorption are measured under controlled conditions, variation in absorption efficiency explains more of the interindividual differences in balance than does actual calcium intake (1). Small wonder, therefore, that interest in measuring absorption has remained high for nearly 40 years. True calcium absorption is defined as the quantitative, unidirectional flux of calcium from intestinal lumen into the blood. It is most accurately measured by a dual-tracer method, with one tracer labeling the oral calcium load and the other labeling the miscible calcium pool into which the absorbed calcium is introduced. This approach was first developed into a practicable human test by deGrazia et al. (2). As described, it is usually time-consuming and expensive. To reduce these barriers for widespread use, Heaney and Recker (3)(4) developed a single-tracer variant for women, requiring only a single blood sample, and calibrated it against a simultaneously performed double-tracer method. The single-tracer method has been used efficiently in thousands of women (5). However, because the calibration is empirical and based on body-size variables, it is not directly suitable for use in men who, with a typically higher proportion of fat-free mass than women, would be expected to distribute absorbed tracer in a larger mass of calcium. To fill this methodologic gap, we performed a small set of parallel measurements in adult men, using the female-based algorithm together wiketh a modified double-tracer approach. Participants in the study were 30 Caucasian men (age range, 20–60 years; weight range, 63.5–104 kg; height range, 1.67–1.93 m). All participants were free of known diseases affecting bone remodeling or calcium homeostasis, and tests were not performed if the individual had experienced any gastrointestinal disturbance in the preceding 5 days. Each gave informed consent after the procedures of the study were explained. Both the project …
InGaAs-based MM-wave integrated subharmonic mixer exhibiting low input power requirement and low noise characteristics

Low-power, low-noise mixer diodes are required for a variety of applications such as receivers operating from tens of GHz to one THz. At millimeter-wave frequencies, the expense of LO power (P/sub LO/) has encouraged the use of subharmonic mixers, especially antiparallel planar GaAs, to halve the required LO frequency. This paper describes the use and application of InGaAs-InP technology to subharmonic mixer diodes which demonstrate significant reduction in P/sub LO/ and have performance comparable to planar GaAs technology with no DC bias requirement. Single-ended mixers, based on similar technology, have demonstrated excellent performance at 94 GHz as described previously by the authors. The subharmonic InGaAs mixer, described here, requires integration of two antiparallel connected Schottky diodes. Due to the inherent properties of this scheme, mixing is performed at twice the LO signal frequency. This halving in LO frequency reduces the cost of providing LO. An integrated antenna-mixer, having an antiparallel Schottky diode pair, is described and characterized at 180 GHz. First, the mixer layer and antenna design are presented. Next, the diode's I-V curves are discussed. Then the mixer characterization methods and millimeter-wave performance are discussed. Theoretical analysis, based on experimentally evaluated anode capacitance (C/sub j0/) and I-V characteristics of real 2 /spl mu/m diameter InGaAs diodes, is then used to investigate subharmonic mixer performance as a function of LO power and imbedding impedance. Finally, the InGaAs subharmonic mixer's conversion loss and noise temperature are compared to those of state-of-the-art GaAs antiparallel diode pairs.
New Photoelectronic investigations of the nonlinear optical properties of n-InSb

Abstract The nonlinear optical properties of n-InSb at liquid helium temperatures are shown to be strongly related to the electron population of the shallow donor impurity levels. Solutions of nonlinear coupled rate equations predict the observed resonant behavior of (1) the number of photoexcited electrons (determined directly from photo-Hall measurements) and (2) their resonant lifetime behavior at magnetic fields where two-photon interband transitions take place.