cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wi-Fi/LTE-U Coexistence: Real-Time Issues and Solutions

Coexistence of small-cell LTE-U and Wi-Fi networks in unlicensed bands at 5 GHz is a topic of active interest, primarily driven by industry groups affiliated with the two (cellular and Wi-Fi) segments. Our focus in this work is on real-time deployment aspects of such coexisting networks, a topic which has seen little traction in the existing literature. The aim is to explore the following questions: (1) How do Wi-Fi clients associate with a Wi-Fi access point (AP) when a LTE-U base station is active with its maximum duty cycle, (2) How is the latency of Wi-Fi connection affected (in terms of association and data transmission) during coexistence with LTE-U, and (3) How does the energy sensing threshold of Wi-Fi affect the latency and throughput performance of Wi-Fi and LTE-U?
Analysis of growth and biofilm formation of bacterial pathogens on frequently used spinal implant materials.

A microscopy-based investigation of the permissive factors leading towards bacterial adherence on commonly utilized spinal implants. The adherence and subsequent colonization and biofilm formation of bacteria on orthopaedic implants represents one of the most serious problems facing orthopaedic surgeons. Once a biofilm is formed, surgeons may have to resort to implant removal, a strategy that may cause substantial patient morbidity and lead to additional cost to the healthcare system. This problem has been further compounded by the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacterial pathogens. In this study, two commonly encountered bacterial pathogens in surgical site infections (SSI) were characterized for adherence pattern, density, and propagation on five commonly used spinal implant materials via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The results show that bacterial adherence is largely dependent on the microtopographical features observed on the surface of the materials tested. Five commonly utilized spinal implant materials were inoculated with two of the most common nosocomial pathogens and visualized via scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Analysis of 90 spinal implant pieces showed that even though no material showed the ability to prevent adherence of both pathogens tested, the presence of surface imperfections and rougher microtopography was found to harbor the most bacterial presence. Our data suggests that implants materials with uniform surface and minimal imperfections may reduce the ability of bacterial to adhere to implants. Level I evidence: “Investigation of a diagnostic test”.
LiveHD: A Productive Live Hardware Development Flow

Synthesis and simulation of hardware design can take hours before results are available even for small changes. In contrast, software development embraced live programming to boost productivity. This article proposes LiveHD, an open-source incremental framework for hardware synthesis and simulation that provides feedback within seconds. Three principles for incremental design automation are presented. LiveHD uses an unified VLSI data model, LGraph, to support the implementation of incremental principles for synthesis and simulation. LiveHD also employs a tree-like high-level intermediate representation to interface modern hardware description languages. We present early results comparing with commercial and open source tools. LiveHD can provides feedback for the synthesis, placement, and routing in < 30 s for most changes tested with negligible QoR impact. For the incremental simulation, LiveHD is capable of getting any simulation cycle in under 2 s for a 256 RISC-V core design.
Evolution of the conductive filament with cycling in TaOx-based resistive switching devices

Physical changes occurring in TiN/TaO2.0±0.2/TiN resistive random-access memory devices after prolonged cycling have been analyzed by two scanning transmission electron microscopy modalities: high angle annular dark field and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. In just formed devices, filaments had a shape of a 10 nm diameter Ta-enriched column with the O-rich gap next to electrodes, which was positively biased during electroformation. Devices that failed by stuck-in-high resistance state mode exhibited Ta depletion and oxygen interdiffusion at interfaces with both electrodes akin to effects observed in complementary switching devices. Initially narrow Ta-rich filaments broadened into ∼50 nm diameter columns showing speckled contrast due to phase separation. In devices that failed by stuck-in-low resistance state mode, we have observed a strong Ta-enriched sub-filament bridging the gap. The amount of oxygen in the TiN anode in the vicinity of the filament has not changed significantly between as-formed and failed devices, thus indicating that oxygen is not lost during switching. All devices at the end of endurance exhibited interdiffusion of O into TiN and Ti and N into TaOx.
Effects of Ascogregarina culicis (Eugregarinorida: Lecudinidae) on Mosquito Size and Dengue Virus Infection in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Dengue virus infection, transmitted via mosquito bites, poses a substantial risk to global public health. Studies suggest that the mosquito's microbial community can profoundly influence vector-borne pathogen transmissions, including dengue virus. Ascogregarina culicis (Ross) of the phylum Apicomplexa is among the most common parasites of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), the principal vector of dengue. Despite a high prevalence worldwide, including in the areas where dengue is endemic, the impact of A. culicis on Ae. aegypti vector competence for dengue virus is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of A. culicis infection on mosquito size and fitness, as measured by wing length, and the susceptibility to dengue virus infection in Ae. aegypti. Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in wing lengths between Ae. aegypti infected and not infected with A. culicis. Furthermore, A. culicis infection did not significantly affect dengue virus infection or disseminated infection rate. However, there was a significant association between shorter wings and higher dengue virus infection rate, whereby a 0.1-mm increase in wing length decreased the odds of the mosquito being infected by 32%. Thus, based on our result, A. culicis infection does not influence the body size and dengue virus infection in Ae. aegypti. This study helps to shed light on a common but neglected eukaryotic mosquito parasite.
The violin case.

Abstract Three humorous episodes, reproduced here, illustrate debates that played out on the pages of Cognition under the aegis of its founding editor, Jacques Mehler. These are the formal structure of language, the mechanisms by which speech unfolds in time, and the constrained creativity of ordinary language use.
Infection prevention measures in acute care settings based on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission patterns and risk: a review.

Purpose of review During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, when facing extraordinary infection prevention challenges, acute care settings have balanced routine patient safety needs while minimizing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission risk to patients and healthcare personnel (HCP). Mitigation strategies in acute care settings are based on a combination of basic science, environmental, and epidemiologic evidence. Here, we review the literature on SARS-CoV-2 transmission, how it has shaped infection prevention interventions in acute care settings, and the results of such measures to reduce transmission. Recent findings HCP adherence to transmission-based precautions in acute care settings, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), is essential to mitigating SARS-CoV-2 spread. Although the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been isolated in nonrespiratory body sites, such exposure has not been shown to definitively cause transmission in humans. Epidemiologic evidence has demonstrated that implementation and adherence to infection prevention strategies reduces acute setting transmission. Summary Given SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs primarily through respiratory transmission, preventing HCP acquisition requires fidelity to consistent PPE usage. Infection prevention strategies and implementation of transmission-based precautions have reduced spread and outbreaks. Epidemiologic studies of acute care outbreaks often include reports of PPE nonadherence and community exposure contributing to SARS-CoV-2 transmission within this setting.
A Cross-Country Nonparametric Analysis of Bahrain`s Banking System

Bahrain`s financial sector development strategy succeeded in building a leading regional banking center, which has become one of the main engines of growth and sources of employment. Although the simulations conducted in the paper suggest that the banking sector in Bahrain continues to occupy a front-runner position among those in a sample of member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, they also reveal that: (i) as expected, banks in Bahrain still lag behind their Singaporean counterparts, and (ii) there is strong competition from other countries in the region. The paper also finds that in terms of scale efficiency, the banks in Bahrain operate at the same level as banks in Singapore and their closest competitors in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The results appear to be robust with respect to changes in the sample size and model specifications.
Computer-aided detection of mantle cell lymphoma on 18 F-FDG PET/CT using a deep learning convolutional neural network

18F-FDG PET/CT can provide quantitative characterization with prognostic value for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). However, detection of MCL is performed manually, which is labor intensive and not a part of the routine clinical practice. This study investigates a deep learning convolutional neural network (DLCNN) for computer-aided detection of MCL on 18F-FDG PET/CT. We retrospectively analyzed 142 baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT scans of biopsy-confirmed MCL acquired between May 2007 and October 2018. Of the 142 scans, 110 were from our institution and 32 were from outside institutions. An Xception-based U-Net was constructed to classify each pixel of the PET/CT images as MCL or not. The network was first trained and tested on the within-institution scans by applying five-fold cross-validation. Sensitivity and false positives (FPs) per patient were calculated for network evaluation. The network was then tested on the outside-institution scans, which were excluded from network training. For the 110 within-institution patients (85 male; median age, 58 [range: 39-84] years), the network achieved an overall median sensitivity of 88% (interquartile range [IQR]: 25%) with 15 (IQR: 12) FPs/patient. Sensitivity was dependent on lesion size and SUVmax but not on lesion location. For the 32 outside-institution patients (24 male; median age, 59 [range: 40-67] years), the network achieved a median sensitivity of 84% (IQR: 24%) with 14 (IQR: 10) FPs/patient. No significant performance difference was found between the within and outside institution scans. Therefore, DLCNN can potentially help with MCL detection on 18F-FDG PET/CT with high sensitivity and limited FPs.
Das Gen-Spleißen und die Herstellung künstlicher DNA-Strukturen

Der Wunsch, phanotypische Merkmale zu manipulieren, ist der Menschheit langer bekannt als die Wissenschaft der Genetik selbst. Die selektive Zucht von Pflanzen und Tieren wird schon jahrhundertelang praktiziert; sie fuhrte zu domestizierten Tieren und Pflanzen und zu solchen Eigenartigkeiten wie den verschiedenen Hunderassen. Mit dem Aufkommen der genetischen Wissenschaften stieg das Interesse an solchen Aktivitaten und erweiterte sich zum Wunsch, „angeborene Fehler des Stoffwechsels” ebenso zu korrigieren wie zur Moglichkeit bestimmter eugenischer Programme (Anwendung selektiver Zuchtprinzipien auf den Menschen). Die Diskussionen uber die Manipulation genetischer Merkmale (die Gentechnologie) blieb zum grosen Teil theoretisch, da es nicht moglich war, die Grundstruktur eines bestimmten Cistrons (Gens) in einem bestimmten Individuum zu verandern. Das hies, das genetische Kreuzungen benutzt werden musten, um ein Individuum mit den gewunschten Merkmalen zu schaffen, und bestimmte Merkmalskombinationen liesen sich nicht herstellen, weil die verschiedenen Art-Barrieren den unkontrollierten Austausch zwischen Organismen verhindern. Diese Barrieren gehoren zwei Grundtypen an: Einmal sind es mechanische Schwierigkeiten, die den Transfer der DNA verhindern, und zum anderen Erkennungsprobleme, die die Rekombination der ubertragenen DNA unmoglich machen. In diesem Kapitel werden einige Wege der DNA-Erkennung besprochen, und es wird gezeigt, wie das Verstandnis dieser Erkennungsmechanismen kurioserweise dazu fuhrt, willkurliche, von genetischen Kreuzungen unabhangige DNA-Umordnungen zu ermoglichen.
Judicial Independence: Evidence from the Philippine Supreme Court (1970–2003)

Is the Philippine Supreme Court independent from the Executive branch? Using data from Haynie et al.’s (High courts judicial database version 1.2, 2007) High Courts Judicial Database, I compare how each of the ten Chief Justices from 1970 to 2003 decides cases involving the national government 2 years prior and 2 years after their appointment as Chief Justice, in a difference-in-differences framework. To verify whether differences could be due to selection bias from the possible non-random assignment of cases and strategic timing of decisions, I also verify whether panels that did not include the Chief Justice exhibit differences in behavior during the same 4-year time periods. I find that they do not. In contrast, it is only the panels that include the Chief Justice which show some significant differences in the probability of favoring the government in its decisions pre- and post-appointment of the Chief Justice.
Emotionen im Kulturvergleich: eine entwicklungspsychologische Perspektive

Das Thema dieses Buches ist Stress und Kultur. Die Stressforschung interessiert sich fur Copingstrategien und fokussiert auf Stressoren, d. h. Prozesse, wie Individuen auf Ereignisse reagieren, die sie als herausfordernd oder bedrohlich einschatzen. Compas et al. (2001) definieren Coping als „conscious and volitional efforts to regulate emotion, cognition, behavior, physiology, and the environment in response to stressful events or circumstances“ (p. 89).
Heartsick: psychiatric and inflammatory implications of cerebromicrovascular disease.

Background Cerebromicrovascular disease (CMVD) strikes 87% of the population older than 65 years and is linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke, depression, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease. Despite the wealth of knowledge on the consequences to the body stemming from poor vascular health, little focus has been placed on the consequences to the brain. Design In this review, we present the preclinical and clinical evidence that supports the role of CMVD in behavioral dysfunction, argues for a clinical need for better recognition of the vascular depression phenotype, and calls for a more integrative translational approach to CMVD. Results and conclusions Although the concept of cerebrovascular-induced behavioral change has existed for over 100 years, the difficulty of diagnosis, the slow progression of CMVD, and the lack of causative data have led to an underestimation of the patient population and poor treatment strategies. Preclinical studies have focused on the use of microsphere embolic models and vascular inflammation models to assess the mechanisms of, and treatment options for, CMVD. Though preclinical models provide support for correlative data collected in the clinic, translational reciprocity has not been established. The lack of clinical appreciation for the role of cerebrovascular health in brain function may result in missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment of underlying cardiovascular disease. Enhanced recognition of symptoms and disease presentation will allow for earlier prevention, detection, and identification of novel targets for drug development and other intervention strategies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux in saudi children.

This is a retrospective study of 82 children with urinary tract infection (UTI) evaluated for the prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux at a community hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1997 to 2000. There were 73 (89%) girls and nine (11%) boys; 58 (71%) were at an age between 1-5 years, 15 (18%) were between 0-1year and nine (11%) were more than 5 years of age. All patients were documented to have UTI by history and laboratory investigations. There were 29 patients (35%) who had acute pyelonephritis at the initial clinical presentation and 53 (65%) had recurrent UTI. Escherichia coli was the isolated bacterium from urine in 79(96.4%) patients. Thirty-four (41.5%) patients had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR); 17 (50%) had it bilaterally and 14 (41%) had renal scarring. There were 9/82 (11%) patients who had renal scarring without reflux. Twenty-six (77%) of the VUR patients had mild to moderate reflux (grade 1-3) and eight (23%) had severe reflux (grade 4-5). Two patients with bilateral reflux had mild to moderate reflux on one side and severe reflux on the other. The age of the patients with VUR was below one year in 11 (32%), between 1 year and 5 years in 21(62%), and between 6 and 12 years in two (6%) patients. There were 11/ 29 (38%) patients with acute pyelonephritis who had reflux. Follow-up of the VUR patients showed that reflux disappeared without surgical intervention in 15 (44%), improved in two (6%) to lower grade and worsened in two (6%) to higher grade. Seven (20.5%) patients underwent ureteral reimplantation; all of them had recurrent UTI and were more than one year of age. While on chemoprophylaxis, two (28%) of the reimplanted patients developed breakthrough infections and the remaining five (72%) had a radiological picture of chronic pyelonephritis. None of the study patients developed new scars, hypertension or renal failure during follow-up; the duration of follow­up was from 5 months to 3 1/2 years and only seven (20.5%) patients had less than one-year follow-up. We conclude that Saudi children with UTI below 7 years of age have high incidence of reflux and scarring especially in patients presenting with acute pyelonephritis. A multi center study is needed to evaluate the size of the problem and its complications in the Saudi children besides screening of the siblings of patients with reflux.
The Aging Workforce and Paid Time Off

The workforce is getting older. This is not simply a matter of the workforce aging as the population ages. The relative workforce participation of older Americans has risen steadily over the past decade.1 The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the workforce participation rate of workers in the over-55 age group will continue to increase, pushing back the retirement age.2
VERITAS Observations of Pulsars

The EGRET detector on board the Compton Gamma‐Ray Observatory detected pulsed emission from seven pulsars up to energies around 10 GeV. Despite numerous attempts, no pulsed emission has been observed by ground‐based gamma‐ray telescopes operating above ∼100 GeV. A pulsed emission cut‐off necessarily lies between. Any detection of this cut‐off has important implications for the models that attempt to explain pulsar emission. With the current generation of ground‐based gamma‐ray telescopes extending in energy below 100 GeV and with GLAST promising observations above 10 GeV, pulsars are promising targets for future gamma‐ray observation. We discuss here the VERITAS program for pulsar observations, its progress to date, and methods to improve the sensitivity of VERITAS for gamma rays below 100 GeV.
The California Indian Basketweavers Association: Advocates for the Use of Museum Collections by Contemporary Weavers

Indigenous California basketweavers have collaborated with universities, museums, and government land agencies in recent years through participation in the decision-making processes regarding the management of natural and cultural resources. The California Indian Basketweavers Association (CIBA) has been at the forefront of these efforts, particularly as they relate to native plants used in basketry. Through grassroots efforts, they have also furthered relationships with museums, as basket collections serve as an important cultural resource for contemporary artists. The history of CIBA is first presented here, including weavers’ involvement with basket documentation, followed by an examination of the nature of CIBA’s relationship with museums, specifically regarding how collections are used. Suggestions for successful museum visits by museum staff and for weavers are offered in conclusion.
Maximum likelihood estimation for the beta distribution

A fast method of calculating the two-parameter maximum-likelihood estimates of the beta distribution is given which does not require starting values and is generally free from convergence problems.
Viscoelastic Characterization and Modeling of Gelation Kinetics of Injectable In Situ Cross-Linkable Poly(lactide-co-ethylene oxide-co-fumarate) Hydrogels

Cell transplantation by injection of biodegradable hydrogels is a recently developed strategy for the treatment of degenerated tissues. A cell carrier should be cytocompatible, have suitable working time and rheological properties for injection, and harden in situ to attain dimensional stability and the desired mechanical strength. Hydrophilic macromer/cross-linker polymerizing systems, due to the relatively high molecular weight of the macromer and its inability to cross the cell membrane, are very attractive as injectable cell carriers. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of cross-linker, initiator, and accelerator concentrations on the gelation kinetics and ultimate modulus of a biodegradable, in situ cross-linkable poly(lactide-co-ethylene oxide-co-fumarate) (PLEOF) macromer. The in situ polymerizing mixture consisted of PLEOF macromer, methylene bisacrylamide cross-linker, and a neutral redox initiation system of ammonium persulfate initiator and tetramethylethylenediamine accelerator. Measurement of the time evolution of the viscoelastic properties of the network during the sol-gel transition showed the important influence of each component on the gel time and stiffness of the hydrogels. A kinetic model was developed to predict the modulus as a function of composition. Model predictions were consistent with most of the experimental findings. The values of the storage and loss moduli at the gel point were found to be approximately equal for samples with equal PLEOF concentrations, resulting in a simple method to predict the gelation time based on the Winter--Chambon criterion, with the use of the proposed kinetic model. The results of this study can be coupled with component cytocompatibility measurements to predict the effect of composition on the viability of the cells encapsulated in the hydrogel matrix.
Transit Accessibility to Jobs and Employment Prospects of Welfare Recipients Without Cars: A Study of Broward County, Florida, Using Geographic Information Systems and an Econometric Model

On August 22, 1996, President William Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. This legislation, widely known as the welfare reform act, transformed welfare from a long-term support program into one with a primary objective of moving people off the welfare rolls into gainful employment in the shortest possible time. The passage of this act renewed a long-standing debate over whether improved public transit would lessen the length of time that people remain on welfare. Studies addressing this issue draw different conclusions from their methodological differences in measuring transit accessibility indices and in using aggregate versus disaggregate data. A new study uses distance-decay parameters estimated by a measure of transit accessibility based on origin-destination data and thereby addresses the arbitrary selection of distance-decay parameters in the accessibility equation used by earlier studies. It also uses disaggregate data at the individual level to overc...
Diffusion-controlled dislocation creep: a defense

Abstract A defense is made to the criticisms of Poirier against diffusion-controlled dislocation creep. The criticism that values of the activation volumes of creep offer no strong support to diffusion-controlled dislocation creep is turned around and is shown to be strong evidence against non-diffusion-controlled dislocation creep. It is shown that, just as in very fine grain material Coble creep takes over from Nabarro-Herring creep as the temperature is lowered, pipe diffusion will take over from bulk diffusion as the process-controlling dislocation climb. Thus the existence of low values of the creep activation energy in the low temperature range of high temperature creep is readily explained. It is shown that dislocation glide processes cannot account for these low activation energies unless one is willing to accept that for 21 metals it is only a remarkable coincidence that at relatively high temperatures the activation energy of creep is equal to the activation energy for self-diffusion.
Latex sensitization in general pediatric surgical patients: A call for increased screening of patients

Abstract Background/Purpose: Latex sensitization is a well-documented occurrence in children with myelodysplastic and urologic anomalies. The incidence of latex allergy in general pediatric surgical patients, however, has not been previously addressed. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk of perioperative latex reactions in a general pediatric surgical practice over a 1-year period. Methods: This study examined the occurrence of latex sensitization using two methods. First, the preoperative anesthesia records of patients that have undergone surgery from October 1995 through September 1996 at Mott Children's Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Second, all patients who had intraoperative anaphylaxis attributable to latex sensitization, including those from three additional hospitals, were evaluated. Results: During a 12-month period, 1,523 pediatric general surgical operations were performed at the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Of these, only 11 operations on five patients were performed under latex precautions. All of these patients had a preoperative diagnosis of latex sensitivity. During the same period, intraoperative anaphylactic reactions caused by latex allergy occurred in two of the general surgical patients (0.13%) at the C.S. Mott Hospital. Four additional cases are also reported from other study hospitals. None of these patients were suspected, based on current screening methods, of having a latex allergy before their surgery. Conclusions: Latex allergy is a potentially life-threatening condition in the pediatric general surgical population. Further study is needed to develop criteria to preoperatively identify patients at risk for latex sensitization.
Genomics, Biobanks, and the Trade-Secret Model

An alternative to traditional informed-consent approaches to human subjects could provide flexibility and increased participation.
ARV robotic technologies (ART): a risk reduction effort for future unmanned systems

The Army's ARV (Armed Robotic Vehicle) Robotic Technologies (ART) program is working on the development of various technological thrusts for use in the robotic forces of the future. The ART program will develop, integrate and demonstrate the technology required to advance the maneuver technologies (i.e., perception, mobility, tactical behaviors) and increase the survivability of unmanned platforms for the future force while focusing on reducing the soldiers' burden by providing an increase in vehicle autonomy coinciding with a decrease in the total number user interventions required to control the unmanned assets. This program will advance the state of the art in perception technologies to provide the unmanned platform an increasingly accurate view of the terrain that surrounds it; while developing tactical/mission behavior technologies to provide the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) the capability to maneuver tactically, in conjunction with the manned systems in an autonomous mode. The ART testbed will be integrated with the advanced technology software and associated hardware developed under this effort, and incorporate appropriate mission modules (e.g. RSTA sensors, MILES, etc.) to support Warfighter experiments and evaluations (virtual and field) in a military significant environment (open/rolling and complex/urban terrain). The outcome of these experiments as well as other lessons learned through out the program life cycle will be used to reduce the current risks that are identified for the future UGV systems that will be developed under the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, including the early integration of an FCS-like autonomous navigation system onto a tracked skid steer platform.
Combination therapy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

A variety of medical therapies are presently available for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Unfortunately, none are curative and most patients will experience progression of their disease despite treatment. Presently available medications target four different cellular signaling pathways that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of PAH. It is unclear to what extent each pathway contributes to the progression of pulmonary hypertension in individual patients and little data are available to guide practitioners in drug selection. The multiplicity of altered cell signaling pathways in PAH provides a strong rationale for the use of more than one drug to treat PAH, but the paucity of properly controlled data makes it difficult to determine if combination therapy provides superior efficacy compared to single agents. Recent data derived from studies in which a second drug is added to a therapy already being used by the patient and recently published studies of up-front combination therapy in treatment-naive patients suggest that combination therapy may be more efficacious than treatment with a single drug. These findings support the hypothesis that multiple drugs may be necessary to achieve optimal benefit and may alter the therapeutic approach to PAH. This chapter discusses the rationale for combination therapy and reviews the findings of recently completed “add-on” and “up-front” combination studies that provide the basis for using this approach to treat PAH.
Supercomputing moves to universities and makes possible new ways to organize computational research

Too cheap to meter? Surely not. But microprocessors have come a long way in delivering inexpensive computing power. The development is eroding the distinction between computers made from low-cost microprocessors, and more conventional supercomputers operated—for example—at the U.S. National Science Foundation's Supercomputer Centers. It is also shifting the balance in high-performance computing (HPC) away from the NSF's Supercomputer Centers, to powerful, local computer facilities run by academic departments and universities.
Isopods of the Family Sphaeromidae From the Littoral Waters of South India

Le present article decrit six especes d'Isopodes Sphaeromides de la region intercotidale de Kerala, Inde meridionale. Deux des especes, Cymodoce longistylis et C. mammifera, sont des formes deja decrites; les quatre autres, dont de breves diagnoses ont precedemment ete publiees, sont nouvelles. Des descriptions completement illustrees des nouvelles especes sont presentees ici.
Peptides, Scrambled and Stitched

Cells that display peptide antigens on their surfaces for immune recognition usually cut large proteins into smaller pieces, but can also splice these to make larger, scrambled peptides.
Anesthetic management of an obstetric patient with MELAS syndrome: case report and literature review

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS syndrome) is a mitochondrial disorder associated with neurologic, cardiac, neuromuscular, hepatic, metabolic and gastrointestinal dysfunction and potential anesthetic and obstetric complications. The case of a parturient with MELAS syndrome requiring labor analgesia is presented. A Medline literature search limited to the English language was undertaken to review cases of MELAS syndrome. Based on our experience and literature review, parturients with MELAS syndrome appear to benefit from neuraxial analgesia and anesthesia, which blunt excessive oxygen consumption and acidosis.
Life-Cycle Cost Analysis: State of the Practice Versus State of the Art

Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is increasingly gaining recognition by the transportation community as an indispensable practice if the sustainability of its infrastructure systems is to be realized. The product of a 3-year study that assessed the LCCA practice in state highway agencies (SHAs) is presented. The study examined how LCCA practice changed in two decades, surveyed the way LCCA is practiced currently at SHAs in the United States, and reviewed how this evaluation technique is deliberated by the academics and researchers in the engineering and economics domains. Results of this study prove noteworthy in the inspection of an observed gap between the state of the practice and state of the art of LCCA. After all, that gap set up grounds for the noted mistrust in the credibility of LCCA. In addition to study results, an analysis of the observed gap and its causes is presented as well as recommendations for what can be done to bridge that gap. It is hoped that this will prove valuable for practitioners conducting LCCA, for policy makers, and for researchers carrying out studies on various topics related to LCCA.
How to make tubular crystals by reconstitution of detergent-solubilized Ca2(+)-ATPase

In an attempt to better define the parameters governing reconstitution and two-dimensional crystallization of membrane proteins, we have studied Ca2(+)-ATPase from rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum. This ion pump forms vanadate-induced crystals in its native membrane and has previously been reconstituted at high lipid-to-protein ratios for functional studies. We have characterized the reconstitution of purified Ca2(+)-ATPase at low lipid-to-protein ratios and discovered procedures that produce long, tubular crystals suitable for helical reconstruction. C12E8 (n-dodecyl-octaethylene-glycol monoether) was used to fully solubilize various mixtures of lipid and purified Ca2(+)-ATPase, and BioBeads were then used to remove the C12E8. Slow removal resulted in two populations of vesicles, and the proteoliposome population was separated from the liposome population on a sucrose density gradient. These proteoliposomes had a lipid-to-protein ratio of 1:2, and virtually 100% of molecules faced the outside of vesicles, as determined by fluorescein isothiocyanate labeling. Cycles of freeze-thaw caused considerable aggregation of these proteoliposomes, and, if phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidic acid were included, or if the bilayers were doped with small amounts of C12E8, vanadate-induced tubular crystals grew from the aggregates. Thus our procedure comprised two steps-reconstitution followed by crystallization-allowing us to consider mechanisms of bilayer formation separately from those of crystallization and tube formation.
Relationship of the luminous bacterial symbiont of the Caribbean flashlight fish, Kryptophanaron alfredi (family Anomalopidae) to other luminous bacteria based on bacterial luciferase (luxA) genes.

Flashlight fishes (family Anomalopidae) have light organs that contain luminous bacterial symbionts. Although the symbionts have not yet been successfully cultured, the luciferase genes have been cloned directly from the light organ of the Caribbean species, Kryptophanaron alfredi. The goal of this project was to evaluate the relationship of the symbiont to free-living luminous bacteria by comparison of genes coding for bacterial luciferase (lux genes). Hybridization of a luxAB probe from the Kryptophanaron alfredi symbiont to DNAs from 9 strains (8 species) of luminous bacteria showed that none of the strains tested had lux genes highly similar to the symbiont. The most similar were a group consisting of Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio splendidus and Vibrio orientalis. The nucleotide sequence of the luciferase α subunit gene luxA of the Kryptophanaron alfredi symbiont was determined in order to do a more detailed comparison with published luxA sequences from Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio fischeri and Photobacterium leiognathi. The hybridization results, sequence comparisons and the mol% G+C of the Kryptophanaron alfredi symbiont luxA gene suggest that the symbiont may be considered as a new species of luminous Vibrio related to Vibrio harveyi.
Complications affecting the Distinction between Mendelian and Maternally Inherited Characters in Neurospora crassa

IN the ascomycete, Neurospora crassa, a simple Mendelian character is recognized by 4 : 4 distribution of c and c+ expression in spore octets from asci produced by either reciprocal of the cross, c×c+. A maternally inherited character1,2 shows 0 : 8 or 8 : 0 distribution, reappearing only from the reciprocal in which c acts as contributor of the functioning protoperithecia (incipient fruiting bodies formed unisexually). A new character, nova, provides a reminder that phenotypic expressions may actually reflect both forms of inheritance3. Even though it was not expressed by any of the parents, nova appeared regularly from four spores of each octet when the wild strain, Scott A, acted as maternal or protoperithecial parent in crosses (5a, 11–13, Table 2) to sf 51506 18244–7 a, unt 55701 a, thi-1 56501 a and thi-5 50005 5231–7 a, Mendelian marker strains derived from wilds Abbott 4 A and Chilton a4,5. The character was not expressed in octets from reciprocals of these crosses (Table 1), with the Abbott, Chilton strains as maternal parents. One may therefore assume that expression of nova requires at least two determinants, one maternally inherited, present in Scott protoperithecia, and the other Mendelian, contributed by any one of the Abbott, Chilton strains.
Inequalities and Duality in Gene Coexpression Networks of HIV-1 Infection Revealed by the Combination of the Double-Connectivity Approach and the Gini's Method

The symbiosis (Sym) and pathogenesis (Pat) is a duality problem of microbial infection, including HIV/AIDS. Statistical analysis of inequalities and duality in gene coexpression networks (GCNs) of HIV-1 infection may gain novel insights into AIDS. In this study, we focused on analysis of GCNs of uninfected subjects and HIV-1-infected patients at three different stages of viral infection based on data deposited in the GEO database of NCBI. The inequalities and duality in these GCNs were analyzed by the combination of the double-connectivity (DC) approach and the Gini's method. DC analysis reveals that there are significant differences between positive and negative connectivity in HIV-1 stage-specific GCNs. The inequality measures of negative connectivity and edge weight are changed more significantly than those of positive connectivity and edge weight in GCNs from the HIV-1 uninfected to the AIDS stages. With the permutation test method, we identified a set of genes with significant changes in the inequality and duality measure of edge weight. Functional analysis shows that these genes are highly enriched for the immune system, which plays an essential role in the Sym-Pat duality (SPD) of microbial infections. Understanding of the SPD problems of HIV-1 infection may provide novel intervention strategies for AIDS.
PROJECTING VIABILITY OF TOTOABA MACDONALDI, A POPULATION WITH UNKNOWN AGE-DEPENDENT VARIABILITY

For the endangered fish totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), as for other endangered species, the relative amount of environmental variability in demographic rates at various life stages is uncertain. Because of the ontogenetic migratory pattern of this species, four life history stages, (a) prerecruits, (b) juveniles, (c) pre-adults, and (d) adults, experience different environmental conditions. We used a diffusion equation approximation of random Leslie matrices to explore the effects on extinction risk of environmental variability in each of these life stages and correlation between stages. Variability in pre-adults and adults had a greater effect on the probability of extinction than did variability in prerecruits and juveniles. In general, correlation between stages increases the rate of increase of the variance of the logarithm of abundance and, hence, the probability of extinction. For example, when all life stages vary coherently, the rate of increase of the variance is the square of a weighted sum of elasticities, while when all stages vary independently, the rate of increase is the same weighted sum of the squared elasticities. The maximum extinction rate occurs when all life history rates in a Leslie matrix vary coherently. Specifically, when the coefficient of variation is the same in each parameter, the rate of increase of the standard deviation of the logarithm of abundance equals the coefficient of variation of the environmental variability. We also evaluated the accuracy of the diffusion equation approximation by comparing predicted extinction rates with those from Monte Carlo simulations of totoaba with variability in each of the four stages. The diffusion equation approximation accurately predicted probabilities of extinction in all cases except one, random variability in recruitment, where it underestimated simulation results substantially. This is apparently due to the large random jumps in abundance in this case. The diffusion equation approximation accurately predicted quasi-extinction of the adult portion of the population.
Solubility and thermodynamic properties of Y2O3 in LiF-YF3 melts

A systematic investigation was undertaken to measure the solubility of Y2O3 in several LiF-YF2 melts, with the YF3 composition ranging from 20 to 50 mole pct, in the temperature range of 998 to 1273 K. Experimental results showed that the solubility of Y2O4 in the melts increased with increase in temperature and also with increased YF3 content. The activity of Y2O3 was calculated using the free energy of fusion of Y2O3, \(\Delta G_{m,Y_2 O_3 }^o \). The \(\Delta G_{m,Y_2 O_3 }^o \) was deduced from the values of enthalpy, heat of fusion, and melting point of Y2O3. From the known values of activity, the activity coefficients of Y2O3 as a function of temperature and melt composition were calculated. Considering the ionic nature of the melt, activity coefficients were also calculated using Temkin’s ideal mixing and electrically equivalent fraction methods. The thermodynamic data, such as integral molar enthalpy, entropy, and free energy of formation, were calculated as a function of composition and temperature. The calculated thermodynamic data showed that the melt exhibited a negative deviation from ideal conditions.
T-lymphocyte analysis in cardiac allograft recipients treated with cyclosporine

To assess the usefulness of circulating T-lymphocyte analysis in cardiac transplantation, T helper (Th) and T suppressor-cytotoxic (Ts-c) subsets were serially monitored in 33 cardiac allograft recipients treated with cyclosporine. The short-term prognosis of their 47 treated rejection episodes were retrospectively correlated with the changes in T-cell subpopulations. The data indicate three main findings. Reversed Th to Ts-c ratio (less than 1) was associated with a reduced incidence of rejection onset and a benign clinical course after treatment for rejection. Reversed Th:Ts-c ratio caused by antirejection therapy was associated with less chance of recurrence during the rest of hospitalization, regardless of the mode of therapy and irrespective of whether the rejection was primary or recurrent. These changes were mainly mediated by a reduction in T helper cells rather than changes in the T suppressor-cytotoxic subset or total T cells. Titration of antirejection therapy based on these T-cell dynamics may reduce either overtreatment or undertreatment. A prospective randomized study seems warranted to evaluate this approach as an alternative to a predetermined antirejection protocol.
Application of satellite remote-sensing data for source analysis of fine particulate matter transport events.

Abstract Satellite sensors have provided new datasets for monitoring regional and urban air quality. Satellite sensors provide comprehensive geospatial information on air quality with both qualitative imagery and quantitative data, such as aerosol optical depth. Yet there has been limited application of these new datasets in the study of air pollutant sources relevant to public policy. One promising approach to more directly link satellite sensor data to air quality policy is to integrate satellite sensor data with air quality parameters and models. This paper presents a visualization technique to integrate satellite sensor data, ground-based data, and back trajectory analysis relevant to a new rule concerning the transport of particulate matter across state boundaries. Overlaying satellite aerosol optical depth data and back trajectories in the days leading up to a known fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) event may indicate whether transport or local sources appear to...
Efficient ray casting with LF-Minmax map in CUDA

Ray casting is the most frequently used algorithm in direct volume rendering for displaying medical data, although it is computationally very expensive. Recent hardware improvements have allowed ray casting to be used in real-time, however, there is room for performance gains to take advantage of the recent development of general-purpose graphical processing units (GPU). The purpose of this paper is to implement the volume ray casting with the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) to obtain higher rendering performance. The experimental results show that the new algorithm is up to 15 times faster than the conventional CPU-based ray casting algorithm.
Universal nonequilibrium quantum dynamics in imaginary time

We propose a method to study dynamical response of a quantum system by evolving it with an imaginary-time-dependent Hamiltonian. The leading nonadiabatic response of the system driven to a quantum-critical point is universal and characterized by the same exponents in real and imaginary time. For a linear quench protocol, the fidelity susceptibility and the geometric tensor naturally emerge in the response functions. Beyond linear response, we extend the finite-size scaling theory of quantum phase transitions to nonequilibrium setups. This allows, e.g., for studies of quantum phase transitions in systems of fixed finite size by monitoring expectation values as a function of the quench velocity. Nonequilibrium imaginary-time dynamics is also amenable to quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations, with a scheme that we introduce here and apply to quenches of the transverse-field Ising model to quantum-critical points in one and two dimensions. The QMC method is generic and can be applied to a wide range of models and nonequilibrium setups.