cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Viroids and RNA Trafficking in Plants

Cell-to-cell trafficking of RNA is a newly discovered mechanism of gene regulation at the whole plant level. The RNAs that traffic within a plant range from mRNAs to non coding RNAs including microRNAs and small interfering RNAs. The mechanisms underlying such trafficking remain largely unknown. Recent studies on Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), a non coding, circular, and infectious RNA, have demonstrated that distinct three-dimensional (3D) structural motifs in an RNA mediate trafficking across specific cellular boundaries. This 3D motif-mediated cell-specific trafficking mechanism may well apply to the trafficking regulation of cellular RNAs. In this review, we summarize examples of RNA trafficking that functions in plant gene regulation and development and then discuss the utility of PSTVd to identify RNA motifs mediating trafficking. We finally highlight outstanding issues for future investigations.
Identification of periods of clear sky irradiance in time series of GHI measurements

We present a simple algorithm for identifying periods of time with broadband global horizontal irradiance (GHI) similar to that occurring during clear sky conditions from a time series of GHI measurements. Other available methods to identify these periods do so by identifying periods with clear sky conditions using additional measurements, such as direct or diffuse irradiance. Our algorithm compares characteristics of the time series of measured GHI with the output of a clear sky model without requiring additional measurements. We validate our algorithm using data from several locations by comparing our results with those obtained from a clear sky detection algorithm, and with satellite and ground-based sky imagery.
Amended Final Report - Antibodies to Radionuclides. Engineering by Surface Display for Immunosensors

The relatively new techniques of antibody display, which permit molecular engineering of antibody structure and function, have the potential to revolutionize the way scientists generate binding proteins for specific applications. However, the skills required to efficiently use antibody display techniques have proven difficult for other laboratories to acquire without hands-on training and exchange of laboratory personnel. This research project is designed bring important expertise in antibody display to the State of Louisiana while pursuing a project with direct relevance to the DOE’s EM program.
Analysis on Epidemiological Characteristics of Bacillary Dysentery in Xuchang City during 2004-2009

[Objective]To learn the epidemiological characteristics of bacillary dysentery in Xuchang city during 2004-2009,provide the scientific basis for making and improving the prevention and control strategies and measures.[Methods]The epidemic data of bacillary dysentery in Xuchang city during 2004-2009 were analyzed with descriptive epidemiology.[Results]There were 3 072 cases of bacillary dysentery in Xuchang city during 2004-2009,and the annual average incidence rate was 12.04/lakh.Most of cases were children under 5 years old,which accounted for 39.10% of total cases.69.37% of total cases were peasants and scattered children.Bacillary dysentery cases mainly occurred in summer and autumn.[Conclusion]The comprehensive control measures which included carrying out the Patriotic Health Campaign,improving the diet and drinking water sanitation and changing unhealth habits should be implemented,especially in rural area,so as to reduce the incidence of bacillary dysentery.
Study of Liuwei-Anxiao capsule combined with Omeprazole on reflux esophagitis

Objective It is to observe the curative effect of Liuwei-Anxiao capsule combined with Omeprazole on reflux esophagitis.Methods 90 patients with reflux esophagitis were chosen and randomly divided into three groups.Every group was given Omeprazole orally.On the base of treatment above,group A was added Liuwei-Anxiao capsule and group B added Cisapride.The morphology changes of esophageal mucous membrane under endoscope and the symptom release status and the untoward reaction of Cisapride and Liuwei-Anxiao capsule were observed after 8 weeks treatment.Results The curative effects of group A and group B were both better than that of group C.There was no significant difference on curative effect and untoward reaction incidence rate between group A and group B.There was no significant difference on untoward reaction incidence rate between Liuwei-Anxiao capsule and Cisapride.Conclusion Liuwei-Anxiao capsule can be used as a safe and dependable drug for treating reflux esophagitis.
Association of Slow Gait Speed With Trajectories of Worsening Depressive Symptoms in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Observational Study.

Objective To investigate the association of slow gait speed, defined as walking slower than is necessary for the community, with trajectories of depressive symptoms over 7 years among people with or at high risk of knee OA. Methods Using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, we described trajectories of depressive symptoms measured annually with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. We categorized speed during a 20-meter walk of <1.2 meters/second as slow gait speed. We used a group-based method to agnostically identify homogeneous clusters of depressive symptom trajectories. We then examined the association of slow gait speed with depressive symptom trajectories, using multinomial logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Results From the 3,939 participants included (mean ± SD age 61.4 ± 9.2 years, body mass index 28.4 ± 4.7, 58% women, and 63% with a college degree), we identified 5 trajectories. The first 3 were stable over time and included 74% of the sample. The remainder had worsening depressive symptoms over time. Slow gait speed was associated with 2.1 times the odds of having the worst depressive symptoms trajectory compared to those without slow gait speed. Conclusion Slow gait speed may represent an important risk factor for worsening depressive symptoms over time in people with or at high risk of knee OA, and may signal the need for rehabilitation.
Effects of Dietary Protein and Carbohydrate Level on Cholesterolemia and Atherogenesis in Cockerels on a High-Fat, High-Cholesterol Mash

Renal lymphatic pressure was found to be increased either by partial occlusion of the renal vein or total occlusion of the ureter. Simultaneous measurement of interstitial and lymphatic pressure revealed that with compression of the renal vein the rise in interstitial pressure preceded the rise in lymphatic pressure.
GABAA-Mediated Local Synaptic Pathways Connect Neurons in the Rat Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in mammals functions as the biological clock controlling circadian rhythms, but the synaptic circuitry of the SCN is largely unexplored. Most SCN neurons use the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and anatomic studies indicate many GABAergic synapses and local axon collaterals; however, physiological evidence for synaptic communication among SCN neurons is indirect. We have used three approaches to investigate local circuitry in the SCN in acute hypothalamic slices from rat. First, tetrodotoxin was used to block action-potential-dependent synaptic release, which resulted in a decrease in the frequency of spontaneous synaptic currents in SCN neurons, suggesting that spontaneously active neurons in the slice connect synaptically to SCN neurons. Postsynaptic currents in SCN neurons were also evoked by the selective stimulation of other SCN neurons with glutamate, which avoids direct activation of axons that might originate outside the SCN. Two different methods of glutamate microapplication (i.e., pressure ejection and ultraviolet photolysis of caged glutamate) indicated that SCN neurons receive GABAA-receptor-mediated synaptic input from other SCN neurons. In contrast, glutamate-receptor-mediated synaptic connections between SCN neurons were not detected. The GABAergic synapses that comprise the network described here could conceivably be a substrate for the synchronization and amplification of the circadian rhythm of SCN firing. Alternatively, this circuitry might mediate other aspects of clock function such as the integration of environmental and physiological information.
Deoxyribonucleic acid flow cytometry in invasive bladder carcinoma: a possible predictor for successful bladder preservation following transurethral surgery and chemotherapy-radiotherapy.

AbstractTumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy was evaluated as an objective parameter that may correlate better with the responsiveness of bladder cancer to chemotherapy plus radiotherapy than do clinical features or histopathological subtypes. A total of 40 patients with localized muscle-invading bladder cancer (clinical stages T2 to T4) underwent prospective treatment on a potential bladder preserving protocol. Tumors of 37 of the 40 patients were analyzed by DNA flow cytometry of multiple paraffin embedded specimens. Transurethral resection, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 40Gy. radiotherapy plus cisplatin were followed by urological reevaluation of the tumor (a complete response required a negative biopsy and a negative urine cytology study). A total of 7 noncomplete response patients underwent immediate radical cystectomy whereas the full bladder sparing treatment (radiotherapy to 64.80Gy. plus cisplatin) was given to 23 complete response patients and 7 noncomplete response patients who were unsuited...
Dimension of weakly expanding points for quadratic maps

Pour l'application quadratique reelle P a (x) = x 2 +a et un e > 0 donne, un point x a de bonnes proprietes de dilatation si tout intervale contenant x contient egalement un voisinage J de x avec P n a|J univalent, avec distortion bornee et B(0, e) C P n a(J) pour un n E N. L'ensemble e-faiblement dilatant est l'ensemble des points qui n'ont pas de bonnes proprietes de dilatation. Notons α le point fixe negatif et M le temps de premier retour de l'orbite critique dans [α, -α]. Nous prouvons l'existence d'un ensemble R de parametres de mesure de Lebesgue positive pour lesquels la dimension de Hausdorff de l'ensemble e-faiblement dilatant est bornee superieurement et inferieurement par log 2 M/M + O(log 2 log 2 M/M) si e est proche de |α|. Pour e < |α| quelconque la dimension est de l'ordre de O(log 2 |log 2 ∈|/| log2 ∈|). Les constantes ne dependent que de M. Le theoreme du Folklore implique alors l'existence d'une mesure de probabilite absolument continue et invariante par P α pour a E R (theoreme de Jakobson).
Anomalous behavior of the 2(+) mixed-symmetry state in Zr-94

The low-spin structure of $^{94}\mathrm{Zr}$ has been studied with the ($n$,${n}^{'}$\ensuremath{\gamma}) reaction, and branching ratios, lifetimes, multipolarities and spin assignments were determined. The ${2}_{2}^{+}$ state at 1671.4 keV has been identified as the lowest mixed-symmetry state in $^{94}\mathrm{Zr}$. The 752.5-keV transition from this state to the ${2}_{1}^{+}$ level has a large $B(M1)$ value of 0.33(5) ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}^{2}$, and the $B(E2)$ of the transition to the ground state has an unusually large value of 8(1) W.u. The $M1$ transition strength is in agreement with IBM-2 predictions in the U(5) vibrational limit, whereas the large $B(E2;{2}_{1,\mathrm{MS}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}_{1}^{+}$) value significantly exceeds the $E2$ strength predicted by the IBM-2. For the first time, the ${2}_{1,\mathrm{MS}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}_{1}^{+}E2$ transition is observed to have a larger $E2$ transition strength than the ${2}_{1}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}_{1}^{+}$ decay.
From Striking Out to Striking Gold: Discovering that Type VI Secretion Targets Bacteria

Specialized secretion systems are infamous for their contribution to host-pathogen interactions. Our discovery that the type VI secretion system delivers toxins between bacterial cells has broadened our understanding of how both pathogens and non-pathogens interact with one another, whether within or outside of the host.
Sources of errors in hematology and coagulation

Abstract Hematology tests such as complete blood count and peripheral blood smear analysis are commonly ordered test in clinical laboratory ,and sources of errors in such tests could be preanalytical, analytical, or postanalytical. Errors related to sample collection, transport, and storage must be avoided to get accurate results in hematology testing. The amount and concentration of dipotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in the collection tube require that blood should be collected up to a specific mark on the tube. If too little blood is collected, dilution of the sample can become an issue with alteration of parameters. Relative excess EDTA in such cases also affects the morphology of blood cells. Transport of specimen should ensure that high temperatures are avoided. Red cell fragmentation is a feature of excess heat. Falsely high white blood cell (WBC) counts are more common than falsely low WBC counts. In certain situations, hematology analyzers are known to provide a falsely low platelet count when the true platelet count is adequate. Other common sources of errors in hematology and coagulation tests are also discussed.
Comparable Toxicity between Fludarabine/Full dose i.v. Busulfan and Fludarabine/Melphalan in Allogeneic PBSC Transplantation.

Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of Fludarabine and full dose i.v. Busulfan as conditioning regimen in allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). In this study we analyzed 22 patients who received an allogeneic HSCT from matched related (n=17) or unrelated (n=5) donors, and were conditioned with FLU/BU (fludarabine 30 mg/m2/d x 4 days followed by single dose i.v. busulfan 3.2 mg/kg/d x 4 days) (n=12) or FLU/MEL (fludarabine 30 mg/m2/d x 5 days and melphalan 70 mg/m2/d x 2 days) (n=10). Median age was 26 yrs (range:19–51) in the FLU/BU group and 47 yrs (range:22–57) in the FLU/MEL group (p=0.02). Also, patients at high risk were 8/12 in the FLU/BU group (7 AML in relapse, 1 CML-AP) and 3/10 in the FLU/MEL group (2 resistant NHL and 1 HD) (p=0.08). Patients received GVHD prophylaxis with FK-506 and MTX and in 9/12 FLU/BU cases (including 5 MUD) also with Thymoglobulin. HSC source was G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood in all FLU/MEL and 6/12 FLU/BU patients, while the remaining 6 received bone marrow cells. Median numbers of infused CD34+ cells were: 1.58 x 106/kg in FLU/BU patients receiving marrow grafts, while 5.0 and 5.9 x106/kg, respectively, in FLU/BU and FLU/MEL patients who received PBSC. Median time to ANC >500 was comparable in PBSC FLU/BU (d14, range: 11–20), and PBSC FLU/MEL (d12, range: 10–15) patients, while it was significantly longer in bone marrow FLU/BU (d 22, range:17–37) patients (p= 0.01 and p=0.001, respectively). Similarly, time to Plt >20K was d 12 (range: 10–16) in the PBSC FLU/MEL group and d 20 (range: 17–37) in the bone marrow FLU/BUS group. Interestingly, 4 of 6 PBSC FLU/BU patients did not have severe thrombocytopenia ( grade 2 was never observed in these two groups. Median length of stay (LOS) in the hospital after transplant was 17 days (range:13–37) in PBSC FLU/MEL, 23 days (range: 18–42) in PBSC FLU/BU and 30 d (range: 22–38) in bone marrow FLU/BU (p=n.s.). Median chimerism levels on d30 after transplant were: 100% in FLU/MEL and 95% in FLU/BU. One patient in the bone marrow FLU/BU experienced a graft rejection and was retransplanted succesfully. Median follow-up is 137 days (range: 42–548) in the FLU/BU group and 552 days (range: 157–633) in the FLU/MEL group. Acute GVHD was limited (grade 1 in 5/12 FLU/BU vs 1/10 FLU/MEL, and > grade 1 only in 1 FLU/MEL patient), and chronic GVHD is present in 1/4 FLU/BU and 4/9 FLU/MEL evaluable patients. Six of 12 patients in the FLU/BU died of: relapse (n=4) and/or infection (n=2, but only 1 within d100 ) and 3 of 10 patients in the FLU/MEL died, all of relapse. In conclusion, despite the small series of patients, the FLU/BU and FLU/MEL regimens seem to have similar limited toxicity in allogeneic PBSC transplantation. Due to its safety, an allotransplant conditioned with FLU/single dose i.v. BU could be applied also to elderly patients and may represent a platform for donor lymphocyte infusions in high risk patients.
Traction Pin Placement

Traction pin placement is used to reduce unstable fractures and dislocations and temporize certain fractures pending definitive fixation. Although traction pin technique varies slightly depending on the area of the body being placed in traction, the following should serve as general guidelines.
Diet-induced early-stage atherosclerosis in baboons: Lipoproteins, atherogenesis, and arterial compliance

Background The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary manipulation can reliably induce early-stage atherosclerosis and clinically relevant changes in vascular function in an established, well-characterized non-human primate model. Methods We fed 112 baboons a high-cholesterol, high-fat challenge diet for two years. We assayed circulating biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, at 0, 7, and 104 weeks into the challenge; assessed arterial compliance noninvasively at 104 weeks; and measured atherosclerotic lesions in three major arteries at necropsy. Results We observed evidence of atherosclerosis in all but one baboon fed the two-year challenge diet. CVD risk biomarkers, the prevalence, size, and complexity of arterial lesions, plus consequent arterial stiffness, were increased in comparison with dietary control animals. Conclusions Feeding baboons a high-cholesterol, high-fat diet for two years reliably induces atherosclerosis, with risk factor profiles, arterial lesions, and changes in vascular function also seen in humans.
Memory T cells: A helpful guard for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without causing graft-versus-host disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and the major cause of nonrelapse morbidity and mortality of AHSCT. In AHSCT, donor T cells facilitate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) engraftment, contribute to anti-infection immunity, and mediate graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) responses. However, activated alloreactive T cells also attack recipient cells in vital organs, leading to GVHD. Different T-cell subsets, including naive T (TN) cells, memory T (TM) cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells mediate different forms of GVHD and GVL; TN cells mediate severe GVHD, whereas TM cells do not cause GVHD, but preserve T-cell function including GVL. In addition, metabolic reprogramming controls T-cell differentiation and activation in these disease states. This minireview focuses on the role and the related mechanisms of TM cells in AHSCT, and the potential manipulation of T cells in AHSCT.
Geology of the Nelson Limestone, Postel Nunatak, Patuxent Range, Antarctica

Postel Nunatak in the Patuxent Range has been previously mapped as Nelson Limestone but there was no biostratigraphic support for that interpretation until now. We confirm that limestone exposures at Postel Nunatak are at least partly correlated with the Nelson Limestone of the Neptune Range, 160 km north-east, and are not correlative with the lower Cambrian Schneider Hills Limestone of the Argentina Range. Upper beds have yielded the trilobites Suludella? davnii Palmer & Gatehouse, 1972 and Solenopleura pruina Palmer & Gatehouse, 1972, which provide a basis for assignment to Cambrian Series 3 (late middle Cambrian), within the Drumian or lower Guzhangian stages. Limestone beds were deposited in a shallow marine setting, ranging from supratidal to lagoonal facies with rare subtidal intervals. These settings contrast with deeper water facies of the Neptune Range. Despite limitations in sampling density, isotopic analysis indicates that a greater than +2.5‰ shift in δ 13 C is consistent with δ 13 C trends documented for the Drumian Stage. Because the upper and lower contacts at Postel Nunatak are covered by snow and ice, the relationship with rocks mapped as the Patuxent Formation in the Patuxent Range remains uncertain, but part of it may belong to the Precambrian Hannah Ridge Formation.
Environmental Performance Information Use by Conservation Agency Staff.

Performance-based conservation has long been recognized as crucial to improving program effectiveness, particularly when environmental conditions are dynamic. Yet few studies have investigated the use of environmental performance information by staff of conservation organizations. This article identifies attitudinal, policy and organizational factors influencing the use of a type of performance information—water quality information—by Soil and Water Conservation District staff in the Upper Mississippi River Basin region. An online survey (n = 277) revealed a number of important variables associated with greater information use. Variables included employees’ prosocial motivation, or the belief that they helped people and natural resources through their job, the perceived trustworthiness of data, the presence of a U.S. Clean Water Act Total Maximum Daily Load standard designation, and staff discretion to prioritize programs locally. Conservation programs that retain motivated staff and provide them the resources and flexibility to plan and evaluate their work with environmental data may increase conservation effectiveness under changing conditions.
Rayleigh-Bénard turbulence modified by two-way coupled inertial, nonisothermal particles

Rayleigh-B\'enard convection is simulated to study the effects of inertial, nonisothermal particles on buoyancy-driven turbulent fluid. Distinct particle characteristics, such as gravitational settling and specific heat, are isolated to infer which are dominant in affecting the fluid.
Eating patterns of US adults: Meals, snacks, and time of eating.

Abstract The objective of this paper is to update knowledge of eating patterns of US adults with sex and ethnicity specific estimates and discuss the implications of reported patterns with respect to current resurgence of interest in the topic. The eating patterns data were from the NHANES 2009–2014 (n = 15,341 adults). Overall, American adults reported 4.96 ± 0.03 eating episodes in the recall. Women were more likely to report each of the three main meals and all three meals plus one or more snacks relative to men (P
Supporting families of transgender children/youth: Parents speak on their experiences, identity, and views

Background: Transgender children/youth demonstrate the best possibility for resilience and positive mental health when they are part of an affirming and supportive family. To optimize families in s...
Ray tracing visualization for precision pointing architecture of a segmented reflector testbed using LabVIEW

For deep space exploration, it is important for telescopes to have a high accuracy and precision in pointing at objects far in space. In addition, a large segmented space telescope requires high precision and accuracy in mirror shape. The Segmented Space Telescope Testbed at the Structures, Propulsion, and Control Engineering (SPACE) Laboratory at California State University, Los Angeles utilizes segmented mirror panels to mimic a parabolic mirror and a series of lasers and mirror to demonstrate pointing control. This paper discusses a LabVIEW based visualization that is used for pointing simulation of the SPACE Testbed. The Visualizations allows for simulation of the physical Precision Pointing Architecture (PPA). This allows for visual verification of pointing control.
Effect of Nanoparticles on Electrolytes and Electrode/Electrolyte Interface

The addition of nano-sized inorganic fillers such as SiO2 to solid and liquid electrolytes to enhance their electrochemical and physical properties has been recently the focus of great deal of research. In this chapter, we review the work done in this area where various types of nanoparticles including ceramics and clay were used as additives to electrolytes commonly used in lithium-ion batteries research such as polymer electrolytes (gel and solid form), ionic and organic liquid electrolytes and plastic crystals.
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE STUDY OF FERROELASTIC DOMAINS

In the present study, the authors have employed, for the first time, atomic force microscope (AFM) for studying domains in ferroelastic materials. Studies of ferroelectric/ferroelastic domains is important for understanding the acousto-optic, opto-electronic properties and the aging behavior of the ferroelectric/ferroelastic devices. In this paper we report our results on ferroelastic lead vanadate, Pb8V2O13 crystals. Both stripe and needle shaped domains are observed. The typical width of the tip of the needle domains is ~ 100 A. Sharp and round tips of needles have been detected very clearly with developed surface features.
Evaluation of human fetal cord sera, Ham's F-10 medium, and in vitro culture materials with a mouse in vivo fertilization system.

A total of 54 human fetal cord sera, 42 lots of Ham's F-10 medium, and 36 lots of plastics were tested during a 10-month period with a mouse in vivo fertilization system. Two-cell embryos were collected from the oviducts of superovulated and mated (C57BL/6×CBA)F 1 mice. After collection, 2-cell embryos were distributed among test media and a modified Krebs-Ringer control medium. The test material passed quality control standards if a minimum of 80% of the original 2-cell embryos reached the blastocyst stage. Of the 54 cord sera examined, 8 (15%) were below our standards; 6 (14%) of the Ham's F-10 media and 4 (11%) of the plastics failed to pass minimum requirements. In all cases, the failed materials promoted slower-growing mouse embryos and increased the number of degenerates. It is our opinion that the mouse in vivo fertilization system has a valuable place in any in vitro fertilization program.
AXISYMMETRIC FLOW OF AN IDEAL INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUID ABOUT A SOLID TORUS

Abstract : An exact solution in series form is presented for irrotational, axisymmetric flow of an ideal, incompressible fluid past a solid torus of circular cross section. At infinity the fluid is assumed to be in a state of uniform motion parallel to the axis of the torus. The solution, based on the use of toroidal coordinates, is given in terms of Legendre functions of fractional order as well as complete and incomplete elliptic integrals of the first and second kind. The individual component solutions are interpreted physically through their relation to the basic ring singularities represented by source and vortex rings. The problem is first approached via Stokes' stream function and is subsequently re-solved independently in terms of the velocity potential. The convergence of the pertinent series developments was unusually favorable, and a complete stream line pattern, corresponding to an illustrative numerical example, is included.
All-day coordinated optimal scheduling in distribution grids with PV penetration

Abstract This paper presents an approach for the optimal scheduling of reactive power of photovoltaic (PV) inverters, tap position of on-load tap changers (OLTCs), and switch states of shunt capacitors (SCs) in distribution grids. The proposed method determines a day-ahead scheduling strategy containing continuous, discrete, and Boolean control variables. The optimization problem is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem with the objective of minimizing both the node voltage deviations and active power losses. The maximum allowable number of operations for OLTCs and SCs is constrained in predefined limits. Due to the operation limits of OLTCs and SCs, this multi-period optimal scheduling problem is time-coupled. The pattern search algorithm and the genetic algorithm are applied to solve the proposed optimization problem. Both the algorithms are improved with the multi-start framework for global optimization. The feasibility of the proposed method is examined on the modified IEEE 34-node test feeder and the modified IEEE 123-node test feeder. The performances of the proposed approach are verified in the case of forecast errors of PV generation and load demand.
Bisphosphonate Use in Pediatric Oncology for Pain Management

The use of bisphosphonates for pain control in children with cancer is not extensively studied. We retrospectively evaluated 35 children with cancer treated with intravenous bisphosphonates for pai...
Parental longevity predicts healthy ageing among women

Author(s): Shadyab, Aladdin H; Manson, JoAnn E; Li, Wenjun; Gass, Margery; Brunner, Robert L; Naughton, Michelle J; Cannell, Brad; Howard, Barbara V; LaCroix, Andrea Z | Abstract: Objective:to examine the association of parental longevity with healthy survival to age 90 years. Methods:this was a prospective study among a racially and ethnically diverse cohort of 22,735 postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative recruited from 1993 to 1998 and followed through 2017. Women reported maternal and paternal ages at death and current age of alive parents. Parental survival categories were l70, 70-79 (reference), 80-89 and ≥90 years (longevity). Healthy ageing was defined as reaching age 90 without major chronic conditions (coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, or hip fracture) or physical limitations. Results:women whose mothers survived to ≥90 years were more likely to attain healthy ageing (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.11-1.42) and less likely to die before age 90 (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.68-0.83). Women whose fathers survived to ≥90 years did not have significantly increased odds of healthy ageing but showed 21% (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.90) decreased odds of death before age 90. Women whose mother and father both lived to 90 had the strongest odds of healthy ageing (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.09-1.75) and decreased odds of death (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.85). The proportion of healthy survivors was highest among women whose mother and father lived to 90 (28.6%), followed by those whose mother only lived to 90 (23.2%). Conclusions:parental longevity predicted healthy ageing in a national cohort of postmenopausal women, supporting the view that genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors transmitted across generations may influence ageing outcomes among offspring.
Gene Expressions, Hippocampal Volume Loss, and MMSE Scores in Computation of Progression and Pharmacologic Therapy Effects for Alzheimer's Disease

We build personalized relevance parameterization method ( pr e p-ad ) based on artificial intelligence ( ai ) techniques to compute Alzheimer's disease ( ad ) progression for patients at the mild cognitive impairment ( mci ) stage. Expressions of ad related genes, mini mental state examination ( mmse ) scores, and hippocampal volume measurements of mci patients are obtained from the Alzheimer‘s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative ( adni ) database. In evaluation of cognitive changes under pharmacological therapies, patients are grouped based on available clinical measurements and the type of therapy administered, namely donepezil monotherapy and polytherapy of donepezil with memantine. Average leave one out cross validation ( loocv ) error rates are calculated for pr e p-ad results as less than 8 percent when mmse scores are used to compute disease progression for a 60 month period, and 3 percent with hippocampal volume measurements for 12 months. Statistical significance is calculated as $p = 0.003$ p = 0 . 003 for using ad related genes in disease progression and as $p p 0 . 05 for the results computed by pr e p-ad . These relatively small average loocv errors and $p$ p -values suggest that our pr e p-ad methods employing gene expressions, mmse scores and hippocampal volume loss measurements can be useful in supporting pharmacologic therapy decisions during early stages of ad .
Q-Learning for Non-Cooperative Channel Access Game of Cognitive Radio Networks

This paper investigates the channel access problem of cognitive radio networks. In the cognitive radio network, communication channels are assigned to primary users with priority while secondary users are able to detect the spectrum holes and switch among the channels for data transmission opportunities. The channel access problem of this kind of system can be formulated as a non-cooperative game. However, in prior works, the secondary users are usually assumed to be able to switch to any channel instantaneously, which is not possible in reality because the channel switching will incur transmission delays. In this paper, we formulate the channel access problem as a non-cooperative game where each channel can be used by only one user at a time. Moreover, considering the transmission delays, we limit the channel switching distance of the secondary users to a certain scope. In this case, the optimal channel access policy of each secondary user will depend on the long-term behaviors of primary users as well as the actions of other secondary users. For this non-cooperative game, we propose a multiagent Q-learning algorithm which requires neither the prior knowledge of channel dynamics nor the negotiations among players. Simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
How Policymakers Evaluate Online versus Offline Constituent Messages

The internet has made it easier than ever for citizens to voice their opinion to their elected representatives. However, theories of costly signaling suggest officials may infer that constituents who write to them via lower-effort online mediums care less about the issues than those who communicate in person. To examine this possibility, we fielded a national survey of local U.S. policymakers to examine responsiveness to different types of constituent messages. We find that policymakers rate social media messages as substantially less informative and less influential than identical messages delivered in person. However, this discount factor can be overcome through increased participation: our conjoint estimates imply that a message received online from 47 constituents is as influential as the same message received from a single constituent in person. Taken together, these findings illustrate the double-edged nature of low-cost communication technologies for representation in the digital era.
Bioinspired neuron-like electronics

As an important application of functional biomaterials, neural probes have contributed substantially to studying the brain. Bioinspired and biomimetic strategies have begun to be applied to the development of neural probes, although these and previous generations of probes have had structural and mechanical dissimilarities from their neuron targets that lead to neuronal loss, neuroinflammatory responses and measurement instabilities. Here, we present a bioinspired design for neural probes—neuron-like electronics (NeuE)—where the key building blocks mimic the subcellular structural features and mechanical properties of neurons. Full three-dimensional mapping of implanted NeuE–brain interfaces highlights the structural indistinguishability and intimate interpenetration of NeuE and neurons. Time-dependent histology and electrophysiology studies further reveal a structurally and functionally stable interface with the neuronal and glial networks shortly following implantation, thus opening opportunities for next-generation brain–machine interfaces. Finally, the NeuE subcellular structural features are shown to facilitate migration of endogenous neural progenitor cells, thus holding promise as an electrically active platform for transplantation-free regenerative medicine. Neural probes mimicking the size and mechanical properties of neurons interpenetrate the brain tissue, allowing stable single-unit recordings from implantation up to at least three months, and acting as scaffolds for the migration of new-born neurons.
Alliance A031501: Phase III randomized adjuvant study of MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) in muscle-invasive and locally advanced urothelial carcinoma (MIBC) (AMBASSADOR) versus observation.

TPS504Background: Patients with high-risk MIBC have a poor prognosis. Radical cystectomy remains the standard treatment. Yet despite substantial improvements in surgical techniques, mortality from ...
Regulatory Measures Against Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Avian influenza (AI) refers to a large group of viruses that affect birds. Strains that belong to subtypes H5 or H7 and are considered virulent are classified as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Domestic poultry populations have been very susceptible to HPAI infection, although some species such as ducks do not show symptoms. Birds can get infected through direct contact with infected birds or through contact with secretions or feces of an infected bird or blood of a slaughtered infected bird. The conditions in the production environments in which most domestic birds are raised contribute to the rapid disease spread among them once the virus establishes a presence. Biosecurity measures, transportation of birds and bird products, trade and live bird markets are factors that explain disease spread locally or over long distances. There are measures that can be taken both before and after the appearance of an outbreak of H5N1 HPAI that can drastically reduce its scope and limit the harm it causes. This paper outlines the major legal and institutional elements that governments should consider in preparing for and reacting to such an outbreak. The paper does not describe the current situation in at-risk countries nor does it tell governments what to do. The former would be difficult because with the upsurge in international travel and global commerce, potentially H5N1-infected goods are easily spread throughout the world, and thus every country is at risk. Moreover, the latter is neither feasible nor desirable, since the political, cultural and economic landscape in each country will affect the choices that policymakers have available and may decide upon.
Noise Immunity of Desat Protection Circuitry for High Voltage SiC MOSFETs with High dv/dt

This paper provides an analysis of the desat protection for high voltage (>3.3 kV) SiC MOSFETs from the perspective of noise immunity. The high positive dv/dt with long voltage rise time generated by high voltage SiC MOSFETs is identified as a major threat to noise immunity of the desat protection circuitry. The impact of numerous influencing factors is analyzed, such as parasitic inductance, damping resistance, and clamping impedance. In some cases, small parasitic capacitances (<0.01 pF) between the drain terminal with high dv/dt and protection circuitry dominate the noise immunity of the desat protection circuitry with high-impedance voltage divider. The noise immunity margin is derived quantitatively to guide the noise immunity improvement. Different noise immunity enhancement methods are developed and validated with experimental results, including adding a shielding layer, reducing clamping impedance, and decreasing voltage divider impedance.
What is in a Dress: Nkrumah, Populism and the Sartorial Politics of Legitimation at Ghana's Independence

Batakari, also called fugu, is a type of tunic/smock woven from narrow, hand-spun strips of cotton. On 5th March 1957, the eve of Ghana's Independence from Britain, Prime-Minister Elect Kwame Nkrumah wore batakari over a short sleeve shirt with a white kufi cap for his address to the last session of the colonial Legislative Assembly at the Parliament House. He continued to wear it in the ensuing cheers as Ghana's new flag replaced the Union Jack, and later that night when he declared Independence in a rousing speech across from Parliament House. For one so attuned to political symbolism, what meaning did Nkrumah express by donning batakari on Independence Day? I ask this with appreciation that spectacle, the dramatic, and/or the theatrical are integral to politics; that politics meets performance when political actions have a creative-symbolic dimension; and that dress is a way in which political power is represented, constituted, articulated and/or contested. In exploring this question, my focus is on the body political--on bodily praxis as political praxis. I examine the social history of batakari, including Nkrumah's use of it during his involvement in the anti-colonial struggle and through up to Ghana's independence. I argue that Nkrumah, a principal signifier in the public construction of meaning at Independence, exploited symbolic opportunities in celebration to legitimate his leadership over the new sovereign Ghana, and that he did this by reconstructing the populist, culturally shared, connections between legitimacy and dress in what I call his "sartorial politics".
Enhancing Recovery in Congenital Cardiac Surgery.

Abstract Background The benefits of a comprehensive enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) program for the congenital heart disease population are largely unknown. We evaluated adherence and outcomes following a recently implemented enhanced recovery program (ERP) in congenital cardiac surgery. Methods Patients undergoing elective surgery for simple and moderately complex congenital cardiac surgery followed institutional ERP guidelines since 10/2018. Adherence to guidelines over a 12-month period (P2) was compared to implementation data (P1:5 months). The association of outcomes with continuous time was estimated using linear regression. Results Among 559 patients (representing 40% of the cardiac surgical volume) following the ERP over a period of 17 months, no differences in patient characteristics were observed between periods, except higher incidence of prior operations in P2. Adherence to many aspects of guidelines improved from P1 to P2. Notably, operating room extubation: 27% in P2 vs.16% in P1, p=0.006; decrease in median ventilation time: 6.0-hrs (IQR 0-9.2) in P2 vs. 7.6-hrs (IQR 3.8-12.3) in P1, p=0.002. In addition, there was a reduction in opioids, reported as oral morphine equivalents (OME), most significant for intraoperative OME: 5.00 mg/kg (3.11–7.60) in P2 vs. 6.05 mg/kg (3.77–9.78) in P1, p=0.001. There was no difference in overall intensive care unit (ICU) and postoperative length of stay except in lower risk surgeries. Surgical outcomes were similar in the two periods. Conclusions An enhanced recovery program reduced the use of opioids, led to more OR extubation and reduced mechanical ventilation duration in patients undergoing congenital cardiac surgery.
The roles of stimulus and response uncertainty in forced-choice performance: an amendment to Hick/Hyman Law

Hick/Hyman Law describes one of the core phenomena in the study of human information processing: mean response time is a linear function of average uncertainty. In the original work of Hick, (1952) and Hyman, (1953), along with many follow-up studies, uncertainty regarding the stimulus and uncertainty regarding the response were confounded such that the relative importance of these two factors remains mostly unknown. The present work first replicates Hick/Hyman Law with a new set of stimuli and then goes on to separately estimate the roles of stimulus and response uncertainty. The results demonstrate that, for a popular type of task-visual stimuli mapped to vocal responses-response uncertainty accounts for a majority of the effect. The results justify a revised expression of Hick/Hyman Law and place strong constraints on theoretical accounts of the law, as well as models of response selection in general.
ULTRASONIC ATTENUATION AND VELOCITY IN Cd0.55 Mn0.45Te

We deduce the electromechanical coupling factor, piezoelectric constant (e14), and electrical conductivity of Cd0.55Mn0.45Te from the attenuation maximum and velocity change of piezoelectrically-active [110][001] ultrasonic shear waves which occur as a function of temperature, T. Electromechanical coupling and el4 are much larger in Cd0.55Mn0.45Te than in CdTe due to less bond charge transfer in the former because, we believe, of hybridization of Mn 3d orbitals into the tetrahedral bonds. The dc resistivity was measured and found to be an exponential function of 1/T in accord with the electrical conductivity deduced from our ultrasonic data. The conductivity activation energy we identify with the ionization energy of centers which provide mobile charge carriers (holes).
Implications of Broken Symmetry for Superhorizon Conservation Theorems in Cosmology

Inflation produces super-horizon sized perturbations that ultimately return within the horizon and are thought to form the seeds of all observed large scale structure in the Universe. But inflationary predictions can only be compared with present day observations if, as conventional wisdom dictates, they remain unpolluted by subsequent sub-horizon causal physical processes and therefore remain immune from the vicissitudes of unknown universal dynamics in the intervening period. Here we demonstrate that conventional wisdom need not be correct, and as a result cosmological signatures arising from intervening unknown non-inflationary processes may confuse the interpretation of observational data today.
A Real-Time Genetic Algorithm in Human-Robot Musical Improvisation

The paper describes an interactive musical system that utilizes a genetic algorithm in an effort to create inspiring collaborations between human musicians and an improvisatory robotic xylophone player. The robot is designed to respond to human input in an acoustic and visual manner, evolving a human-generated phrase population based on a similarity driven fitness function in real time. The robot listens to MIDI and audio input from human players and generates melodic responses that are informed by the analyzed input as well as by internalized knowledge of contextually relevant material. The paper describes the motivation for the project, the hardware and software design, two performances that were conducted with the system, and a number of directions for future work.
A proof-checker for dynamic logic

We consider the problem of getting a computer to follow reasoning conducted in dynamic logic. This is a recently developed logic of programs that subsumes most existing first-order logics of programs that manipulate their environment, including Floyd's and Hoare's logics of partial correctness and Manna and Waldinger's logic of total correctness. Dynamic logic is more closely related to classical first-order logic than any other proposed logic of programs. This simplifies the design of a proof-checker for dynamic logic. Work in progress on the implementation of such a program is reported on, and an example machine-checked proof is exhibited.
Internalization of fibroblast growth factor receptor is inhibited by a point mutation at tyrosine 766

Binding of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to the fibroblast growth factor receptor leads to autophosphorylation of the receptor on several tyrosine residues. Wild-type FGF receptor 1 (flg) and a mutated receptor (Y766F), in which an autophosphorylation site (Tyr-766) was mutated to phenylalanine, were expressed in rat myoblasts and in hematopoietic Ba/F3 cells. It was found that the point mutation at Tyr-766 resulted in a decrease in FGF receptor internalization, as well as a reduction in both ligand-induced FGF receptor down-regulation and degradation. It has been shown previously that phosphorylation of Tyr-766 is essential for interaction with phospholipase C gamma and that the Y766F FGF receptor mutant is unable to stimulate phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis and Ca2+ release from internal stores. The results presented in this report indicate that Tyr-766 is also essential for cellular trafficking of FGF receptor.