cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Babesia divergens Apical Membrane Antigen 1 and Its Interaction with the Human Red Blood Cell

Multiple parasite ligand-erythrocyte receptor interactions must occur for successful Babesia and Plasmodium invasion of the human red cell. One such parasite ligand is the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) which is a conserved apicomplexan protein present in the micronemes and then secreted onto the surface of the merozoite. Much evidence exists for a vital role for AMA1 in host cell invasion; however, its interaction with the host erythrocyte has remained controversial. In this paper, we present a detailed characterization of a Babesia divergens homolog of AMA1 (BdAMA1), and taking advantage of the relatively high amounts of native BdAMA1 available from the parasite culture system, show that proteolytic products of native BdAMA1 bind to a trypsin- and chymotrypsin-sensitive receptor on the red blood cell. Moreover, immuno-electron microscopic images of the B. divergens merozoite captured during invasion offer additional evidence of the presence of BdAMA1 on the red cell membrane. Given the importance of AMA1 in invasion and the central role invasion plays in pathogenesis, these studies have implications both for novel drug design and for the development of new vaccine approaches aimed at interfering with AMA1 function.
SUPPRESSOR GENE ACTION IN THE TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHETASE SYSTEM OF NEUROSPORA CRASSA. I. GENETIC STUDIES.

EXTRAGENIC suppressors which alleviate nutritional requirements of specific microbial auxotrophs appear to function by a variety of mechanisms. The suppressor may act indirectly in one of several ways to make available the required compound. In Neurospora crassa these mechanisms include the utilization of separate pathways of metabolism ( LEIN and LEIN 1952; STRAUSS and PIEROG 1954), decompartmentalization of a metabolite which has accumulated before a partial block and is required in a separate pathway (DAVIS 1962; DAVIS and WOODWARD 1962) and the removal of an inhibitor to which the mutant enzyme is sensitive with resultant partial restoration of the biosynthetic step lacking in the mutant ( SUSKIND and KUREK 1959; SUSKIND, LIGON and CARSIOTIS 1962). Other suppressors appear to act by repair of the primary structure of the catalytically defective mutant enzyme. The existence of this type of suppressor mechanism in N . crassa was suggested initially by the work of YANOFSKY with one suppressed tryptophan synthetase mutant (1952). A number of theories involving effects on protein biosynthesis have been proposed to explain the mechanism of action of such suppressors. These include: (1) the “missense to sense” ( YANOFSKY and ST. LAWRENCE 1960; YANOFSKY, HELINSKI and MALING 1961) and the “nonsense to sense” theories (GAREN and SIDDIQI 1962; BENZER and CHAMPE 1962), which invoke changes in the specificity of protein biosynthesis at the level of the activating enzymes and transfer RNAs, and (2) modifications in the ribosomal reading of the messenger RNA code (GORINI and KATAJA 1964; DAVIES, GILBERT and GORINI 1964). Wild-type tryptophan synthetase (TSase) of N . crassa catalyzes the following reactions (YANOFSKY 1960; GARRICK, ELBERFELD and SUSKIND 1964) : 1. Indoleglycerolphosphate + 1.-serine -+ L-tryptophan + D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate f H,O 2 indole L-serine --t L-tryptophan + H,O 3. indoleglycerolphosphate indole + D-glyceraldshyde 3-phosphate r
Active and passive smoking, IL6, ESR1, and breast cancer risk

We evaluated the association between smoking and risk of breast cancer in non-Hispanic white (NHW) and Hispanic or American Indian (HAI) women living in the Southwestern United States. Data on lifetime exposure to active and passive smoke data were available from 1527 NHW cases and 1601 NHW controls; 798 HAI cases and 924 HAI controls. Interleukin 6 (IL6) and Estrogen Receptor alpha (ESR1) polymorphisms were assessed in conjunction with smoking. Pack-years of smoking (≥15) were associated with increased risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer among NHW women (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2. 4). Passive smoke increased risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer for HAI women (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.1 everyone; OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.5 nonsmokers). HAI pre-menopausal women who were exposed to 10+ h of passive smoke per week and had the rs2069832 IL6 GG genotype had over a fourfold increased risk of breast cancer (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.5–12.8; P for interaction 0.01). Those with the ESR1 Xba1 AA genotype had a threefold increased risk of breast cancer if they smoked ≥15 pack-years relative to non-smokers (P interaction 0.01). These data suggest that breast cancer risk is associated with active and passive smoking.
Design of synthetic jet actuator based on FSMA composite

An improved version of the membrane actuator has been designed and constructed based on our previous diaphragm actuator. It consists of ferromagnetic shape memory alloy composite (FSMA) diaphragm and an electromagnet system. The actuation mechanism of the membrane actuator is the hybrid mechanism that we proposed previously. The high momentum airflow will be produced by the oscillation of the circular FSMA composite diaphragm driven by electromagnets close to its resonance frequency. This membrane actuator is designed for the active flow control technology on airplane wings. The active flow control (AFC) technology has been studied and shown that it can help aircraft improve aerodynamic performance and jet noise reduction. AFC can be achieved by a synthetic jet actuator injecting high momentum air into the airflow at the appropriate locations on aircraft wings. Due to large force and martensitic transformation on the FSMA composite diaphragm, the membrane actuator can produce 190 m/s synthetic jets at 220 Hz. A series connection of several membrane actuators is proposed to construct a synthetic jet actuator package for distributing synthetic jet flow along the wing span.
Nanowire Solar Cell Sensitized with II-VI Quantum Dot Layer

We report first results on a new solar cell consisting of a p-i-n hetero-junction formed between n-type transparent nanowires, undoped semiconductor quantum dots and a wide bandgap p-type polymer layer. The overall structure is SnO2/ZnO/CdSe/MEH-PPV with MEH-PPV standing for poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene]. Microscopic studies on the structure of the quantum dot layer before and after anneal indicates a morphology change from a quantum dot assembly to a continuous polycrystalline thin film. The charge transfer between the absorber layer and the adjacent layers is improved as the layer is converted from the quantum dot assembly towards a polycrystalline thin film structure. In optimized devices the spectral photocurrent response shows contributions from the ZnO, the CdSe and the MEHPPV, covering the spectral range from 300 to 700nm with an external quantum efficiency between 30 and 40%. The overall energy conversion efficiency approaches 1%.
Rewiring the Specificity of Two-Component Signal Transduction Systems

Two-component signal transduction systems are the predominant means by which bacteria sense and respond to environmental stimuli. Bacteria often employ tens or hundreds of these paralogous signaling systems, comprised of histidine kinases (HKs) and their cognate response regulators (RRs). Faithful transmission of information through these signaling pathways and avoidance of detrimental crosstalk demand exquisite specificity of HK-RR interactions. To identify the determinants of two-component signaling specificity, we examined patterns of amino acid coevolution in large, multiple sequence alignments of cognate kinase-regulator pairs. Guided by these results, we demonstrate that a subset of the coevolving residues is sufficient, when mutated, to completely switch the substrate specificity of the kinase EnvZ. Our results shed light on the basis of molecular discrimination in two-component signaling pathways, provide a general approach for the rational rewiring of these pathways, and suggest that analyses of coevolution may facilitate the reprogramming of other signaling systems and protein-protein interactions.
The physiology of life histories

Abstract The Physiological Basis of Life-History Traits and Tradeoffs Symposium of the Comparative section of the American Physiological Society, was held at the Experimental Biology Conference, Orlando, FL, USA, from 31 March to 4 April 2001.
Emergency Medicine Crisis Resource Management (EMCRM): Pilot Study of a Simulation-based Crisis Management Course for Emergency Medicine

Objectives: To determine participant perceptions of Emergency Medicine Crisis Resource Management (EMCRM), a simulation-based crisis management course for emergency medicine. Methods: EMCRM was created using Anesthesia Crisis Resource Management (ACRM) as a template. Thirteen residents participated in one of three pilot courses of EMCRM; following a didactic session on principles of human error and crisis management, the residents participated in simulated emergency department crisis scenarios and instructor-facilitated debriefing. The crisis simulations involved a computer-enhanced mannequin simulator and standardized patients. After finishing the course, study subjects completed a horizontal numerical scale survey (1 = worst rating to 5 = best rating) of their perceptions of EMCRM. Descriptive statistics were calculated to evaluate the data. Results: The study subjects found EMCRM to be enjoyable (4.9 ± 0.3) (mean ± SD) and reported that the knowledge gained from the course would be helpful in their practices (4.5 ± 0.6). The subjects believed that the simulation environment prompted realistic responses (4.6 ± 0.8) and that the scenarios were highly believable (4.8 ± 0.4). The participants reported that EMCRM was best suited for residents (4.9 ± 0.3) but could also benefit students and attending physicians. The subjects believed that the course should be repeated every 8.2 ± 3.3 months. Conclusions: The EMCRM participants rated the course very favorably and believed that the knowledge gained would be beneficial in their practices. The extremely positive response to EMCRM found in this pilot study suggests that this training modality may be valuable in training emergency medicine residents.
Performance Bounds for Linear Codes in Multi-Rate Superposition Schemes

We consider unequal error-protection schemes obtained by means of two-level superposition coding. The performance over additive white Gaussian noise channels is investigated for optimal maximum-likelihood decoding as well as for a suboptimal decoding strategy based on interference cancellation. Assuming that linear codes are used, we evaluate, for both strategies, analytical approximations of the word-error rate, based on the union bound. As in the case of turbo codes and turbo-coded modulations, the derivation exploits the concept of uniform interleaving, and the bounds are in excellent agreement with the simulation results obtained using iterative decoding. The analytical expressions are useful for code design and for the selection of decoding strategies providing a suitable performance/complexity tradeoff.
Simulating incubation effects using the Explicit Implicit Interaction with Bayes Factor (EII-BF) model

Most psychological theories of problem solving have focused on modeling explicit processes that gradually bring the solver closer to the solution in a mostly explicit and deliberative way. This approach to problem solving is typically inefficient when the problem is too complex, ill-understood, or ambiguous. In such a case, a ‘creative’ approach to problem solving might be more appropriate. In the present paper, we propose a neural-network-based computational model implementing the Explicit-Implicit Interaction theory of creative problem solving that involves alternating between implicit and explicit processing. In the present, the new model is used to simulate the incubation process in lexical decision and free recall.
Sorting winners and losers: using CGE models to assess income distribution effects of economic development choices

Cities regularly face a wide range of economic development choices that inevitably create both winners and losers within their communities. Proper assessment of the impacts of such choices requires not only an appropriate modelling framework but also explicit under- standing and incorporation of a city's income distribution priorities. This paper proposes that a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, which includes a structured social welfare function, can provide precisely such a tool to fully evaluate economic development choices, tradeoffs and implications. We leverage such a model for a small Colorado city and simulate sector-specific expansionary economic development policies.We apply the framework to under- stand the gains and losses of two distinct groups, namely original residents versus new arrivals, likely to be affected by such choices, alongside the welfare impacts to the city as whole.
Integrated Search Engine

Searching for information has become an important part of the Internet life. New and more powerful search engines are being built every day for public use. Even though the combined power of these engines are far more advanced than their past alternatives, an average user does not seem to be benefiting fully from the state-of-the-art of search technologies. In this paper, we develop an integrated search engine architecture called I.SEE (Integrated SEarch Engine) that combines the capabilities of search engines. I.SEE facilitates construction of complex search queries with the help of a uniform interface, transforms the queries by relaxing them when necessary to queries that can be supported by search engines, translates relaxed queries to the specific query language syntax used by different systems and executes multiple search requests in parallel to improve query response time. I.SEE is a flexible and extensible system that adapts to the changes in the search engines and provides users with customization options for developing specialized query interfaces. A current version of the system is available at http://www.cs.rpi.edu./research/isee/.
Enhancement of Signal Integrity and Power Integrity with Embedded Capacitors in High-Speed Packages

Improvements in electrical performance of microelectronic systems can be achieved by the integration of passive elements such as capacitors, resistors and inductors. The advantage of embedded passives is their low parasitic values. In this paper, enhancement of signal-integrity and power-integrity is investigated when a high-k planar capacitor is used as a power-ground plane, with embedded high-k discrete capacitors that have low ESI and ESR values as decoupling capacitors for SSN suppression. In order to capture the effects of embedded capacitor performance, a test-structure involving many signal-lines referenced to a power-ground plane was simulated. Simulation results show that the high-k planar capacitor reduces coupling of noise currents through the power-ground planes and helps improve the eye-opening. Simulation results have been quantified for a case, where a fewer number of embedded discrete capacitors helps reduce SSN more significantly than surface-mounts. Transient co-simulation of the signal delivery network (SDN) and the power-delivery network (PDN) are performed using Y-parameters.
Optimal frequency for flow energy harvesting of a flapping foil

Inspired by the correlation between the propulsion efficiency of a flapping foil propeller and stability of the wake behind it (which leads to the optimal Strouhal number for propulsion), we numerically simulated a heaving/pitching foil in energy harvesting regime, and investigated the relation between wake stability and the energy harvesting efficiency. The base flow is computed using a Navier–Stokes algorithm and the stability analysis is performed via the Orr–Sommerfeld equation. The wake is found to be convectively unstable and the frequency of the most unstable mode fw is determined. The case when fw ~ f coincides with maximum energy harvesting efficiency of the system (f is the frequency of foil oscillation), suggesting that flow energy extraction is closely related to efficient evolution of the wake. This occurs at a frequency of f ~ 0.15 (f is normalized by the chord length and the flow speed), under the constraint that there is significant vortex shedding from the leading edge at sufficiently large effective angles of attack. Indeed, this ‘foil–wake resonance’ is usually associated with multi-vortex shedding from the leading edge. Furthermore, detailed examination of energy extractions from the heaving and the pitching motions indicates that near the optimal performance point the average energy extraction from the pitching motion is close to zero. This suggests the feasibility of achieving high-efficient energy harvesting through a simple fully passive system we proposed earlier in which no activation is needed.
The contribution of mountains to global denudation

The hypothesis that mountains infl uence global climate through links among rock uplift, physical and chemical denudation, and the carbon cycle remains vigorously debated. We address the contribution of mountains to global denudation with an empirical model that predicts that >50% of the total denudation and 40% of the chemical denudation occur on the steepest ~10% of Earth’s terrestrial surface. These fi ndings contrast with those from a recent study that suggested global-scale denudation occurs primarily on gently sloping terrain, but did not account for the infl uence of digital elevation model resolution on modeled denudation rates. Comparison of calculated denudation rates against the sum of measured sediment and solute yields from 265 watersheds indicates a positive correlation (R 2 = 0.44) with order-ofmagnitude variability refl ecting, among other things, the effects of dams and agriculture. In addition, ratios of measured river yield to modeled denudation rate decline as catchment area increases due to progressively greater sediment storage with increasing drainage area. Our results support the conclusion that the small mountainous fraction of Earth’s surface dominates global denudation and the fl ux of sediment and solutes to oceans.
Mapping Hydrothermally Altered Rocks at Cuprite, Nevada, Using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), a New Satellite-Imaging System

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is a 14-band multispectral instrument on board the Earth Observing System (EOS), TERRA. The three bands between 0.52 and 0.86 μ m and the six bands from 1.60 and 2.43 μ m, which have 15- and 30-m spatial resolution, respectively, were selected primarily for making remote mineralogical determinations. The Cuprite, Nevada, mining district comprises two hydrothermal alteration centers where Tertiary volcanic rocks have been hydrothermally altered mainly to bleached silicified rocks and opalized rocks, with a marginal zone of limonitic argillized rocks. Country rocks are mainly Cambrian phyllitic siltstone and limestone. Evaluation of an ASTER image of the Cuprite district shows that spectral reflectance differences in the nine bands in the 0.52 to 2.43 μ m region provide a basis for identifying and mapping mineralogical components which characterize the main hydrothermal alteration zones: opal is the spectrally dominant mineral in the silicified zone; whereas, alunite and kaolinite are dominant in the opalized zone. In addition, the distribution of unaltered country rocks was mapped because of the presence of spectrally dominant muscovite in the siltstone and calcite in limestone, and the tuffaceous rocks and playa deposits were distinguishable due to their relatively flat spectra and weak absorption features at 2.33 and 2.20 μ m, respectively. An Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) image of the study area was processed using a similar methodology used with the ASTER data. Comparison of the ASTER and AVIRIS results shows that the results are generally similar, but the higher spectral resolution of AVIRIS (224 bands) permits identification of more individual minerals, including certain polymorphs. However, ASTER has recorded images of more than 90 percent of the Earth’s land surface with less than 20 percent cloud cover, and these data are available at nominal or no cost. Landsat TM images have a similar spatial resolution to ASTER images, but TM has fewer bands, which limits its usefulness for making mineral determinations.
Proper orthogonal decomposition methods for the analysis of real-time data: Exploring peak clustering in a secondhand smoke exposure intervention

Abstract This work explores a method for classifying peaks appearing within a data-intensive time-series. We summarize a case study from a clinical trial aimed at reducing secondhand smoke exposure via the installation of air particle monitors in households. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) in conjunction with a k-means clustering algorithm assigns each data peak to one of two clusters. Aversive feedback from the monitors increased the proportion of short-duration, attenuated peaks from 38.8% to 96.6%. For each cluster, a distribution of parameters from a physics-based model of airborne particles is estimated. Peaks generated from these distributions are correctly identified by POD/clustering with >60% accuracy.
Set1 and MLL1/2 Target Distinct Sets of Functionally Different Genomic Loci In Vivo

Histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) is known to correlate with both active and poised genomic loci, yet many questions remain regarding its functional roles in vivo. We identify functional genomic targets of two H3K4 methyltransferases, Set1 and MLL1/2, in both the stem cells and differentiated tissue of the planarian flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea. We show that, despite their common substrate, these enzymes target distinct genomic loci in vivo, which are distinguishable by the pattern each enzyme leaves on the chromatin template, i.e., the breadth of the H3K4me3 peak. Whereas Set1 targets are largely associated with the maintenance of the stem cell population, MLL1/2 targets are specifically enriched for genes involved in ciliogenesis. These data not only confirm that chromatin regulation is fundamental to planarian stem cell function but also provide evidence for post-embryonic functional specificity of H3K4me3 methyltransferases in vivo.
Validation of a Low-Cost Paper-Based Screening Test for Sickle Cell Anemia.

Background The high childhood mortality and life-long complications associated with sickle cell anemia (SCA) in developing countries could be significantly reduced with effective prophylaxis and education if SCA is diagnosed early in life. However, conventional laboratory methods used for diagnosing SCA remain prohibitively expensive and impractical in this setting. This study describes the clinical validation of a low-cost paper-based test for SCA that can accurately identify sickle trait carriers (HbAS) and individuals with SCA (HbSS) among adults and children over 1 year of age. Methods and Findings In a population of healthy volunteers and SCA patients in the United States (n = 55) the test identified individuals whose blood contained any HbS (HbAS and HbSS) with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for both visual evaluation and automated analysis, and detected SCA (HbSS) with 93% sensitivity and 94% specificity for visual evaluation and 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity for automated analysis. In a population of post-partum women (with a previously unknown SCA status) at a primary obstetric hospital in Cabinda, Angola (n = 226) the test identified sickle cell trait carriers with 94% sensitivity and 97% specificity using visual evaluation (none of the women had SCA). Notably, our test permits instrument- and electricity-free visual diagnostics, requires minimal training to be performed, can be completed within 30 minutes, and costs about $0.07 in test-specific consumable materials. Conclusions Our results validate the paper-based SCA test as a useful low-cost tool for screening adults and children for sickle trait and disease and demonstrate its practicality in resource-limited clinical settings.
Plasticization by in situ grafted acrylates. II: Effect of graft structure

Abstract Grafting of acrylate monomers, such as 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, onto nitrile rubber during the cure cycle leads to improved low temperature flexibility. The effect of graft structure on the improvement was determined by utilizing chain transfer agents to reduce the molecular weight and increase the number of grafts. In every instance, incorporation of a chain transfer agent led to a compound with greater low-temperature flexibility than a control. The amount of improvement was correlated with the effectiveness of each additive in chain transfer reactions. Since there was no evidence of either degradative chain transfer or changes in cure state, it was concluded that the increased low-temperature flexibility was a direct result of alterations in the graft structure. The plasticization achieved with chain transfer agents and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomer was better than previously obtained using more effective acrylic monomers without the additives. This means that the structure of the graft is the m...
Assessing Medication Adherence as a Standard of Care in Pediatric Oncology

Poor adherence to pediatric cancer treatment protocols may prevent children and adolescents from realizing the potential benefits of therapy. This paper presents the evidence for a standard of care for supporting medication adherence. Databases were reviewed for articles examining adherence and including children and/or adolescents with cancer. Fourteen articles (i.e., qualitative, quantitative, review, and randomized clinical trials) were evaluated for rigor. There is moderate-quality evidence to support a strong recommendation for adherence to be assessed routinely and monitored throughout the treatment. Integrating the proposed clinical procedures into standard clinical care may improve outcomes for children and adolescents with cancer.
PrEP Whores and HIV Prevention: The Queer Communication of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been introduced as another biomedical tool in HIV prevention. Whereas other such tools—including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and interruption of perinata...
Relationship-Based Predictors of Sexual Risk for HIV Among MSM Couples: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Behavioral and epidemiological studies report high risk for HIV among MSM couples. Over the last decade, studies have examined relationship dynamics associated with sexual risk for HIV. It is important to examine the impact this research has had on HIV prevention and what is still needed. We conducted a review of the literature focusing on relationship dynamics associated with sexual risk for HIV among MSM couples. Procedures used for this review were guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses established to provide a framework for collecting, reviewing and reporting studies systematically (Mohler et al. in Ann Intern Med 151(4):264-269, 2009). We found that positive relationship dynamics are associated with less risk with partners outside the relationship, but were associated with greater odds of unprotected anal intercourse with primary partners. We also discuss other factors including sexual agreements about outside partners and make recommendations for next steps in HIV prevention research among MSM couples.
Gas Phase Interactions between Triethylindium and Trimethylgallium

A study of the room temperature gas-phase interactions between gallium and indium alkyls was undertaken using a mass spectrometer sampling system, mounted on a low pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxial reactor. Mixtures of triethylindium with triethylgallium or trimethylgallium were investigated. Both combinations formed addition compounds; moreover, the triethylindium-trimethylgallium mixture underwent alkyl exchange. Both admixtures showed reduced reactivity towards arsine. A structure for the addition compound is proposed.
Management and Analysis of Log System Based on Safety Document

To solve the problems of denial,forgery,tampering and impersonation,Log system management of security document has become an important protection technique of individual privacy.The log management for secure document management is designed and realized by using struts framework through the module analysis.In the methods,such as module,system architecture and key aspects,the article mainly analyzed one by one through the sequence of cause and effect.Analysis of the encryption algorithm and digital signature technology document management in the security log system,showing the digital signature technology to ensure information integrity and reliability in the role.The log system can record the user's operation records,we can use it to check what caused the error,or under attack marks left by the attacker,making the misuse can be corrected.Log information can be digitally signed.A digital signature is achieved via Java security mechanism;the signature for the user's operation log to ensure the integrity of the log information,to keep abreast of the log information being modified,providing a certain reference for similar studies.
Emerging options in the treatment of venous thromboembolism

PURPOSE: The long-term consequences of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and post-thrombotic syndrome, clinical profiles of traditional and novel antithrombotic agents used to treat VTE, current treatment recommendations for acute symptomatic VTE, clinical experience with newer antithrombotic agents for acute treatment and extended secondary prevention of VTE, and an emerging VTE treatment paradigm are discussed. SUMMARY: Novel antithrombotic agents, with more specific activity on the coagulation cascade, more predictable pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, simpler dosing regimens, and few or no laboratory monitoring requirements, have been developed to overcome limitations associated with some of the nonspecific traditional anticoagulants. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) are currently the recommended options for initial anticoagulation in patients with acute VTE. Warfarin is the most commonly used agent for chronic anticoagulation. Emerging evidence now also supports the role of factor-Xa inhibitors and oral direct thrombin inhibitors in the acute treatment and extended secondary prevention of VTE. In recent clinical trials, fondaparinux (a synthetic factor-Xa inhibitor) was comparable in efficacy and safety to unfractionated heparin for the treatment of acute symptomatic PE and to the LMWH enoxaparin for treating acute DVT. Ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, was comparable in safety and efficacy to enoxaparin plus warfarin for treatment of acute VTE (DVT with or without PE). In addition, ximelagatran has been demonstrated to be superior to placebo for the extended secondary prevention of VTE, when continued for an additional 18 months beyond an initial six months of therapy. The benefits of extended anticoagulation for secondary VTE prevention have also been recently demonstrated with both low (INR 1.5-2.0) and regular intensity (INR 2.0-3.0) warfarin therapy. CONCLUSION: A new paradigm for treating VTE is evolving based on the results of recent research to incorporate the use of emerging antithrombotic therapies in the acute treatment period and both traditional and novel agents in the chronic, extended-treatment period.
Impacts of the East Asian Monsoon on springtime dust concentrations over China

We use 150 year preindustrial simulations of the Community Earth System Model to quantify the impacts of the East Asian Monsoon strength on interannual variations of springtime dust concentrations over China. The simulated interannual variations in March-April-May (MAM) dust column concentrations range between 20–40% and 10–60% over eastern and western China, respectively. The dust concentrations over eastern China correlate negatively with the East Asian Monsoon (EAM) index, which represents the strength of monsoon, with a regionally averaged correlation coefficient of −0.64. Relative to the strongest EAM years, MAM dust concentrations in the weakest EAM years are higher over China, with regional relative differences of 55.6%, 29.6%, and 13.9% in the run with emissions calculated interactively and of 33.8%, 10.3%, and 8.2% over eastern, central, and western China, respectively, in the run with prescribed emissions. Both interactive run and prescribed emission run show the similar pattern of climate change between the weakest and strongest EAM years. Strong anomalous northwesterly and westerly winds over the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts during the weakest EAM years result in larger transport fluxes, and thereby increase the dust concentrations over China. These differences in dust concentrations between the weakest and strongest EAM years (weakest-strongest) lead to the change in the net radiative forcing by up to −8 and −3 W m−2 at the surface, compared to −2.4 and +1.2 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere over eastern and western China, respectively.
Sortilin facilitates VLDL-B100 secretion by insulin sensitive McArdle RH7777 cells.

Studies examining the relationship between cellular sortilin and VLDL-B100 secretion demonstrate inconsistent results. Current studies explore the possibility that discrepancies may be related to insulin sensitivity. McArdle RH7777 cells (McA cells) cultured under serum enriched conditions lose sensitivity to insulin. Following incubation in serum-free DMEM containing 1% BSA, McA cells become insulin responsive and demonstrate reduced apo B secretion. Current studies indicate that insulin sensitive McA cells express lower cellular sortilin that corresponds with reduction in VLDL-B100 secretion without changes in mRNA of either sortilin or apo B. When sortilin expression is further reduced by siRNA knockdown (KD), there are additional decreases in VLDL-B100 secretion. A crystal structure of human sortilin (hsortilin) identifies two binding sites on the luminal domain for the N- and C-termini of neurotensin (NT). A small organic compound (cpd984) was identified that has strong theoretical binding to the N-terminal site. Both cpd984 and NT bind hsortilin by surface plasmon resonance. In incubations with insulin sensitive McA cells, cpd984 was shown to enhance VLDL-B100 secretion at each level of sortilin KD suggesting cpd984 acted through sortilin in mediating its effect. Current results support a role for sortilin to facilitate VLDL-B100 secretion which is limited to insulin sensitive McA cells. Inconsistent reports of the relationship between VLDL-B100 secretion and sortilin in previous studies may relate to differing functions of sortilin in VLDL-B100 secretion depending upon insulin sensitivity.
Timing, Logic and Mixed-Mode Simulation for Large MOS Integrated Circuits

Many different forms of simulation can be used for the analysis of large digital integrated circuit designs at the various stages of the design process. They may be classified as Behavioral (also called algorithmic or functional) simulators, Register Transfer Level (RTL) simulators, Gate Level Logic simulators, timing simulators, and circuit simulators, as illustrated in Fig.1.1.
Ellipsoidal Microhydrodynamics without Elliptic Integrals and How To Get There Using Linear Operator Theory

In this special dedication paper for the Doraiswami Ramkrishna Festschrift, several remarkably simple results in viscous fluid mechanics (also known as microhydrodynamics) are examined in the context of linear operator theory and the properties of self-adjoint operators. In particular, we highlight, for the broader chemical engineering community, that for a small sphere undergoing rigid body motion (RBM) in Stokes flow the surface tractions are simply a multiplicative constant times that same RBM and that this amazing and simple result is the consequence of linear operator theory applied to the relevant self-adjoint operator. Thus, to provide an illustrative example of the general theory that this can be true only for the sphere, we reexamine the corresponding classical (1876 and 1964) results for the surface tractions on an ellipsoid. The ellipsoid not only provides the example as expected, but produces a useful result that in the so-called mobility problem where the force and torque on the ellipsoid are...
Summary Statistics and Material Categorization in the Visual Periphery

Material categorization from natural texture images proceeds quickly and accurately, supporting a number of visual and motor behaviors. In real-world settings, mechanisms for material categorization must function effectively based on the input from foveal vision, where image representation is high fidelity, and the input from peripheral vision, which is comparatively impoverished. What features support successful material categorization in the visual periphery, given the known reductions in acuity, contrast sensitivity, and other lossy transforms that reduce the fidelity of image representations? In general, the visual features that support material categorization remain largely unknown, but recent work suggests that observers’ abilities in a number of tasks that depend on peripheral vision can be accounted for by assuming that the visual system has access to only summary statistics (texture-like descriptors) of image structure. We therefore hypothesized that a model of peripheral vision based on the Portilla-Simoncelli texture synthesis algorithm might account for material categorization abilities in the visual periphery. Using natural texture images and synthetic images made from these stimuli, we compared performance across material categories to determine whether observer performance with natural inputs could be predicted by their performance with synthetic images that reflect the constraints of a texture code.
Cloud Effects on the Ocean Surface Energy Budget

Although coupled ocean-atmosphere modeling was born about 25 years ago (Manabe and Bryan 1969), the field is just now entering (a somewhat late) adolescence, characterized by exciting new experiences (Stouffer et al. 1994), uncooperative and troublesome model behavior (Robertson et al. 1994), and dreams of future maturity (e.g. Trenberth 1992).
Improving plane wave imaging performance through post-processing

Plane wave imaging can provide high frame rates and is widely used for fast imaging in medical ultrasound. Due to a lack of transmit focus, its image quality is usually worse than other ultrasonic imaging modalities, such as Synthetic Aperture Ultrasound. In practice, images with high contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) are highly desirable as they make it possible for the sonographer to detect small cysts with better accuracy. In this work, we propose to use edge detection and smoothing filters to improve the CNR of cyst images while keeping the point spread function unchanged after beamforming. We show that our post-processing technique helps achieve CNR larger than 19 dB for cyst images with 75 firing angles compounded.
Sub-6 nm Palladium Nanoparticles for Faster, More Sensitive H2 Detection Using Carbon Nanotube Ropes.

Palladium (Pd) nanoparticle (NP)-decorated carbon nanotube (CNT) ropes (or CNT@PdNP) are used as the sensing element for hydrogen gas (H2) chemiresistors. In spite of the fact that Pd NPs have a mean diameter below 6 nm and are highly dispersed on the CNT surfaces, CNT@PdNP ropes produce a relative resistance change 20–30 times larger than is observed at single, pure Pd nanowires. Thus, CNT@PdNP rope sensors improve upon all H2 sensing metrics (speed, dynamic range, and limit-of-detection), relative to single Pd nanowires which heretofore have defined the state-of-the-art in H2 sensing performance. Specifically, response and recovery times in air at [H2] ≈ 50 ppm are one-sixth of those produced by single Pd nanowires with cross-sectional dimensions of 40 × 100 nm Pd. The LODH2 is <10 ppm versus 300 ppm, and the dynamic range (10 ppm −4%) is nearly twice that afforded by the Pd nanowire. CNT@PdNP rope sensors are prepared by the dielectrophoretic deposition of a single semiconducting CNT rope followed by t...
Hypertension and Obesity in Long Term Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer.

As a retrospective, single institution study of blood pressure and obesity in survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer, the records of 103 consecutive patients seen in a Long Term Follow Up Clinic from January 1 through June 30, 2004, were examined. Fifty-one patients (49.5%) were female, 52 (50.5%) male. The mean age was 14.6 yr, range 4–33 yr. Ethnic backgrounds were Caucasian 59 (57.3%), AfroAmerican 24 (23.3%), Hispanic 12 (11.6%), Asian 5 (4.9%), and MidEastern 3 (2.9%). Blood pressures for 1–17 yr of age were considered normal if the systolic or diastolic was 97 percentile for age and sex. Adult subjects were considered underweight if the BMI was
Irrigation Lateral Hydraulics with the Gradient Method

AbstractLaterals constitute the basic element of a field-scale pressurized irrigation hydraulic network. The availability of accurate and robust computational methods applicable to lateral hydrauli...
Predicting future forestland area: a comparison of econometric approaches.

Predictions of future forestland area are an important component of forest policy analyses. In this article, we test the ability of econometric land use models to accurately forecast forest area. We construct a panel data set for Alabama consisting of county and time-series observation for the period 1964 to 1992. We estimate models using restricted data sets-namely, data from early periods-and use out-of-sample values of dependent and independent variables to construct precise tests of the model's forecasting accuracy. Three model specifications are examined: ordinary least squares, dummy variables (fixed effects), and error components (random effects). We find that the dummy variables model produces more accurate forecasts at the county and state level than the other model specifications. This result is related to the ability of the dummy variables model to more completely control for cross-sectional variation in the dependent variables. This suggests that the estimated model parameters better capture the temporal relationship between forest area and economic variables.
Reply to “a comment on ‘three reasons to use annual payments in contingent valuation’”

Abstract Whitehead (2017) suggests the contingent valuation (CV) data from 3 , Egan et al., 2015b lacks theoretical validity and has a “fat tails” problem, while also questioning our conclusion that CV surveys using annual payments produce willingness to pay (WTP) estimates that better match consumer surplus estimates from a travel cost model. In this reply, we use likelihood ratio tests to show that our CV data is theoretically valid. We use the Turnbull and Kristrom distribution-free estimators to show that our CV data generate economically significant WTP estimates with small standard errors. Finally, we apply the sensitivity analyses from our original paper to Whitehead's results. These sensitivity analyses overwhelmingly support our original conclusion in favor of using annual payments in CV surveys.
Efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation on the symptom dimensions of schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract Background Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have shown promise in the treatment of schizophrenia. Objective To quantify the efficacy of double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCT) of tDCS and rTMS for the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and identify significant moderators relating to patient-related features and stimulation parameters. Methods Systemic review and meta-analyses of the relevant literature published until February 1st, 2017 to assess treatment efficacy and quantify the contribution of potential moderator variables. Results We identified 7 RCTs on tDCS (involving 105 participants) and 30 RCTs on rTMS (involving 768 participants). Compared to sham, tDCS improved all symptom dimensions but the effect reached significance for negative symptoms (Hedge’s g = −0.63, p = 0.02). Efficacy for positive but not negative symptoms was linearly associated with cumulative tDCS stimulation. Compared to sham, rTMS improved hallucinations (Hedge’s g = −0.51, p 10 Hz), motor threshold intensity of 110%, left prefrontal cortical treatment site and trial duration over 3 weeks were associated with improvement in negative symptoms and worsening in positive symptoms (all p Conclusions The symptom dimensions in schizophrenia may respond differently to brain stimulation interventions in a way that may reflect the interaction between disease- and treatment-related mechanisms. Our findings underscore the need for further research into patient selection prior to treatment assignment and greater refinement of stimulation protocols.
Soil versus pond ash surfacing of feedlot pens: occurrence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle and persistence in manure.

Reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle and their manure is critical for reducing the risk for human foodborne and waterborne illness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil and pond ash surfaces for feedlot pens on the prevalence, levels, and/or persistence of naturally occurring E. coli O157:H7 and total E. coli in cattle (feces and hides) and manure. Cattle (128 beef heifers) were sorted among 16 pens: 8 surfaced with soil and 8 surfaced with pond ash. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in feces decreased (P or = 0.05) between cattle on soil and on pond ash pens at any sampling period. The prevalence of the pathogen on hides and in feedlot surface material (FSM) also decreased (P or = 0.05). Similarly, levels of E. coli in FSM did not differ (P > or = 0.05) at any sampling period, and there were no clear trends for survival differences of E. coli O157:H7 or E. coli in FSM between pond ash and soil surfaces, although E. coli populations survived at 5.0 log CFU/g of FSM on the pen surfaces 6 weeks after the cattle were removed. These results indicate that housing cattle on pens surfaced with pond ash versus pens surfaced with soil does not affect E. coli O157:H7 in cattle or their manure.
Social skills in children with RASopathies: a comparison of Noonan syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1.

Gene mutations within the RAS-MAPK signaling cascade result in Noonan syndrome (NS), neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and related disorders. Recent research has documented an increased risk for social difficulties and features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children with these conditions. Despite this emerging evidence, the neuropsychological characteristics associated with social skills deficits are not well understood, particularly for children with NS. Parents of children with NS (n = 39), NF1 (n = 39), and unaffected siblings (n = 32) between the ages of 8 and 16 years were administered well-validated caregiver questionnaires assessing their child’s social skills, language abilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and anxiety. With respect to overall social skills, average ratings of children in both clinical groups were similar, and indicated weaker social skills compared to unaffected siblings. Although ratings of social skills were outside of normal limits for more than four in ten children within the clinical groups, most of the deficits were mild/moderate. Fifteen percent of the children with NS and 5% of the children with NF1 were rated as having severe social skills impairment (< − 2SD). Independent of diagnosis, having fewer ADHD symptoms or better social-pragmatic language skills was predictive of stronger social skills. Amidst efforts to support social skill development among children and adolescents with RASopathies, neuropsychological correlates such as social language competence, attention, and behavioral self-regulation could be important targets of intervention.