cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1416: Peritumoral IL-15 potentiates radiation-induced anti-tumor immunity

Radiotherapy (RT) can induce T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses by multiple mechanisms but is often unable to overcome immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. The common gamma-chain cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15 promote the proliferation of activated T cells and, therefore, are prime agents for immunotherapy strategies aimed at sustaining anti-tumor T cell responses. The benefits of high dose IL-2, however, are undermined by serious toxicity and by regulatory T cell (Treg) stimulation. In contrast, IL-15 is well-tolerated and lacks Treg stimulatory activity, making it an attractive candidate for testing in combination with RT. Here we tested the hypothesis that IL-15 strengthens the pro-immunogenic effect of local RT to potentiate a durable anti-tumor immune response. The poorly immunogenic mouse TSA breast cancer cells were implanted s.c. in syngeneic BALB/c mice and randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment groups when tumors reached 5mm average diameters: control, RT, IL-15 or RT+IL-15. RT was delivered locally in 8 Gy fractions on days 13, 14 and 15. IL-15 (2 μg/mouse) was administered s.c. peritumorally daily for 10 days starting on day 12. Mice were followed for tumor growth. A parallel experiment was done to characterize tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) at the end of treatment (day 22). Low dose IL-15 given peritumorally as a monotherapy induced marginal tumor growth control and had no effect on survival (median survival = 45 days compared to 76 days for control). Local RT significantly delayed tumor growth (p Overall these results support the rational combination of low dose intratumoral IL-15 with local RT. We are currently elucidating the mechanisms involved in pre-clinical models in preparation for future testing in patients. Citation Format: Karsten Pilones, Silvia Formenti, Sandra Demaria. Peritumoral IL-15 potentiates radiation-induced anti-tumor immunity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1416.
Prevention by Design: Construction and Renovation of Health Care Facilities for Patient Safety and Infection Prevention

The built environment supports the safe care of patients in health care facilities. Infection preventionists and health care epidemiologists have expertise in prevention and control of health care-associated infections (HAIs) and assist with designing and constructing facilities to prevent HAIs. However, design elements are often missing from initial concepts. In addition, there is a large body of evidence that implicates construction and renovation as being associated with clusters of HAIs, many of which are life threatening for select patient populations. This article summarizes known risks and prevention strategies within a framework for patient safety.
Electrostatic Interactions at N- and C-Termini Determine Fibril Polymorphism in Serum Amyloid A Fragments.

Amyloid polymorphism presents a challenge to physical theories of amyloid formation and stability. The amyloidogenic protein serum amyloid A (SAA) exhibits complex and unexplained structural polymorphism in its N-terminal fragments: the N-terminal 11-residue peptide (SAA1–11) forms left-handed helical fibrils, while extension by one residue (SAA1–12) produces a rare right-handed amyloid. In this study, we use a combination of vibrational spectroscopy and ultramicroscopy to examine fibrils of these peptides and their terminally acetylated and amidated variants, in an effort to uncover the physical basis for this effect. Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy provide evidence that SAA1–12 forms a β-helical fibril architecture, while SAA1–11 forms more typical stacked β-sheets. Importantly, N-terminal acetylation blocks fibril formation by SAA1–12 with no effect on SAA1–11, while C-terminal amidation has nearly the opposite effect. Together, these data suggest distinct electrostatic interactions at t...
Political economy challenges in nutrition.

Historically, implementing nutrition policy has confronted persistent obstacles, with many of these obstacles arising from political economy sources. While there has been increased global policy attention to improving nutrition in recent years, the difficulty of translating this policy momentum into results remains. We present key political economy themes emanating from the political economy of nutrition literature. Together, these interrelated themes create a complex web of obstacles to moving nutrition policy forward. From these themes, we frame six political economy challenges facing the implementation of nutrition policy today. Building awareness of the broader political and economic issues that shape nutrition actions and adopting a more systematic approach to political economy analysis may help to mitigate these challenges. Improving nutrition will require managing the political economy challenges that persist in the nutrition field at global, national and subnational levels. We argue that a “mindshift” is required to build greater awareness of the broader political economy factors shaping the global nutrition landscape; and to embed systematic political economy analysis into the work of stakeholders navigating this field. This mindshift may help to improve the political feasibility of efforts to reform nutrition policy and implementation—and ensure that historical legacies do not continue to shape the future.
Delayed Deterioration of EEG Background Rhythm Post-cardiac Arrest

Electroencephalogram (EEG) background continuity is associated with a favorable prognosis in cardiac arrest patients post-therapeutic hypothermia. However, the continuous EEG in a subset of patients will undergo ‘delayed EEG deterioration’; they will invariably have poor outcome. The aim of this study was to characterize this phenomenon. We studied a prospectively collected cohort of consecutive cardiac arrest patients who underwent therapeutic hypothermia between July 2012 and May 2015. We identified patients with an initially favorable EEG rhythm post-cooling and characterized a subset of patients with delayed EEG deterioration. A total of 133 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 69/133 (51.9%) had an initially favorable EEG. Of those patients with initially favorable EEG, 7/69 (10.1%) had a subsequent deterioration. Delayed EEG deterioration was associated with poor outcome. The median time to deterioration was 55 h. Delayed EEG deterioration is associated with poor clinical outcomes. We hypothesize that this is the result of delayed neuronal degeneration, the exact mechanism requiring further exploration. Identifying patients with delayed EEG deterioration post-therapeutic hypothermia is paramount as further interventions may yet salvage their outcomes, though further study is needed.
Detection of a Bithionol Sensitive Potassium Channel in Cardiac Mitochondria Absent in Slo2.1 Knockouts

Mitochondrial K+ channels are important mediators of cell protection against stress, however less is known about their physiologic roles. Using mouse knockout models our lab has recently reported the absolute requirement of the Na+-activated-K+ channel Slo2.1 for volatile anesthetic preconditioning against cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury [PMID: 26845140]. Functional examination of this channel in isolated mitochondria using a Tl+ flux assay demonstrated the presence of a bithionol-sensitive mitochondrial Tl+ uptake in wildtype cardiac mitochondria that was absent in those from Slo2.1 knockout. Herein we combine pharmacologic activation (bithionol) and inhibition (quinidine) of Slo2 channels with patch clamp of isolated mitochondrial inner membranes (mitoplasts) from wildtype and Slo2.1-/- mice, to demonstrate the presence of Slo2.1 activity in cardiac mitochondria at the single channel level. Additional analysis of these Slo2.1-/- mice at the whole animal, heart, cardiomyocyte, and mitochondrial level has revealed a metabolic phenotype comprising differential substrate preference under stress conditions, indicating a functional relationship between mitochondrial K+ channels and the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism. These data demonstrate a role for Slo2.1 in the regulation of cardiac mitochondrial function.
Organizational models of mobile payment systems in low-resource environments

ABSTRACTThe rapid growth and diffusion of mobile phones in the developing world has created an inclusive and dynamic platform to address a smorgasbord of socio-economic challenges. The uptake of mobile payment (m-payment) systems is a compelling example of how such a platform can be leveraged to democratize access to online banking and financial services. M-payment systems encompass mobile phone-based applications that enable the transfer of value while affording users’ security, accessibility, and efficiency and helping organizations reduce overheads and foster transparency. While M-Pesa and a few other systems are well documented, the literature is sparse on the different methods of using m-payment systems in developing countries. Based on a comprehensive literature review that includes 64 different m-payment applications from around the world, this article synthesizes 12 organizational models. The presentation of each of these models includes an explanatory visual, brief description, and several exampl...
Forensic analysis of explosives

The forensic analysis of explosives and explosives residues is introduced with a short historical review followed by a discussion of state-of-the-art protocols as followed by the FBI Laboratory. The review includes laboratory and field analytical techniques and describes actual case scenarios as examples.
Adult normative data for phonatory aerodynamics in connected speech.

Objectives/Hypothesis To establish normative values for phonatory aerodynamic measurements in connected speech across adult ages and gender. Study Design Prospective data collection across group design. Methods One hundred fifty adults aged >18 years without voice complaints were stratified into three equal-age groups (group 1 [ages 18–39 years]; group 2 [ages 40–59 years], and group 3 [ages 60 + years]) and two equal-gender groups (male and female) resulting in 25 participants in each category. Participants read the first four sentences of the Rainbow Passage at comfortable pitch and loudness to obtain a connected speech sample. The following dependent variables were analyzed: breath number, reading passage duration, mean phonatory airflow, inspiratory airflow duration, and expiratory airflow duration. Results A gender effect was found for mean phonatory airflow, with males showing significantly greater phonatory airflow than females during connected speech (P < .001). Number of breaths was significantly greater for group 3 than group 2 (P < .001) and group 1 (P < .001). Duration, and inspiratory and expiratory airflow durations were all significantly greater for group 3 (P < .001) than group 2 (P < .001) than group 1 (P < .001). Conclusions This study provides normative data for phonatory aerodynamics in adult connected speech. Significant age and gender effects were observed. Laryngoscope, 2017
Enhanced dynamic cyber zone defense

Information security is a top priority in government and industry because high consequence cyber incidents continue with regularity. The blue teamers that protect cyber systems cannot stop or even know about all these incidents, so they must take measures to tolerate these incursions in addition to preventing and detecting them. We propose dynamically compartmentalizing subject networks into collaboration zones and limiting the communication between these zones. In this article, we demonstrate this technique's effect on the attacker and the defender for various parameter settings using discrete-time simulation. Based on our results, we conclude that dynamic cyber zone defense is a viable intrusion tolerance technique and should be considered for technology transfer.
Near infrared hyperspectral imaging of blends of conventional and waxy hard wheats.

Author Summary: Recent development of hard winter waxy (amylose-free) wheat adapted to the North American climate has prompted the quest to find a rapid method that will determine mixture levels of conventional wheat in lots of identity preserved waxy wheat. Previous work documented the use of conventional near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy to determine the mixture level of conventional wheat in waxy wheat, with an examined range, through binary sample mixture preparation, of 0–100% (weight conventional / weight total). The current study examines the ability of NIR hyperspectral imaging of intact kernels to determine mixture levels. Twenty-nine mixtures (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, …, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100%) were formed from known genotypes of waxy and conventional wheat. Two-class partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and statistical pattern recognition classifier models were developed for identifying each kernel in the images as conventional or waxy. Along with these approaches, conventional PLS1 regression modelling was performed on means of kernel spectra within each mixture test sample. Results indicated close agreement between all three approaches, with standard errors of prediction for the better preprocess transformations (PLSDA models) or better classifiers (pattern recognition models) of approximately 9 percentage units. Although such error rates were slightly greater than ones previously published using non-imaging NIR analysis of bulk whole kernel wheat and wheat meal, the HSI technique offers an advantage of its potential use in sorting operations.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HIV AWARENESS FACTORS, HEALTH FACILITY CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUNG WOMEN IN ZOMBA DISTRICT, MALAWI.

The objective of this study was to examine the association between multilevel factors related to HIV awareness and risky sexual behaviour among young women in Zomba district, Malawi. Secondary analyses of the Schooling, Income, and Health Risk (SIHR) study were undertaken. Four outcomes related to risky sexual behaviour were examined among young women: if participants had ever had sex, consistent condom use and two scores measuring risk related to partner history and age during sexual activity. Independent variables included individual-level factors such as education and rural/urban residence, as well as higher-level factors such as household's highest level of education and health facility characteristics. Regression models with cluster-robust standard errors and multilevel regression models were used to estimate associations; analyses were stratified into two strata by school enrolment status, i.e. whether the women were in school (N=1407) or had dropped out of school (N=407) at baseline of the SIHR study. For both strata, increasing age and residing within 16 km of an urban centre ('near rural' residence) increased the odds of ever having sex; lower educational achievement was associated with lower age during sexual activity. A history of pregnancy was associated with lower odds of condom use and riskier partner history. For women in school at baseline, lower household education was associated with higher odds of ever having sex (OR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.07); near-rural and far-rural (≤16 km and >16km from urban centre, respectively) residence were associated with decreased odds of condom use (OR=0.47; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.78; and OR=0.27; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.65, respectively). For those not in school at baseline, lower household education was associated with lower age during sexual activity (β=0.31, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.58). Also for women not in school, the use of private or non-governmental health facilities was associated with decreased odds of condom use (OR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.67) and higher age during sexual activity (β=-0.30, 95% CI: -0.52, -0.09). While individual factors were associated with risky sexual behaviour in both strata, contextual factors differed.
Do proxies agree? δ18O, δ13C and Mg/Ca from tests of Neogloboquadrina dutertrei in the eastern equatorial Pacific

Abstract We present new δ18O and δ13C data from Neogloboquadrina dutertrei tests picked from 30 core tops in the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) combined with a compilation of published stable isotope and Mg/Ca data. We studied the effects of foraminifer test size on stable isotope data using four size fractions of N. dutertrei: 500 µm these trends plateau for δ13C and are reversed for δ18O. Statistically, the most robust relationships between δ18O and temperature, and between δ13C and apparent oxygen utilization, occur in size fractions
Site of Death, Place of Care, and Health Care Transitions Among US Medicare Beneficiaries, 2000-2015.

Importance End-of-life care costs are high and decedents often experience poor quality of care. Numerous factors influence changes in site of death, health care transitions, and burdensome patterns of care. Objective To describe changes in site of death and patterns of care among Medicare decedents. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study among a 20% random sample of 1 361 870 decedents who had Medicare fee-for-service (2000, 2005, 2009, 2011, and 2015) and a 100% sample of 871 845 decedents who had Medicare Advantage (2011 and 2015) and received care at an acute care hospital, at home or in the community, at a hospice inpatient care unit, or at a nursing home. Exposures Secular changes between 2000 and 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures Medicare administrative data were used to determine site of death, place of care, health care transitions, which are changes in location of care, and burdensome patterns of care. Burdensome patterns of care were based on health care transitions during the last 3 days of life and multiple hospitalizations for infections or dehydration during the last 120 days of life. Results The site of death and patterns of care were studied among 1 361 870 decedents who had Medicare fee-for-service (mean [SD] age, 82.8 [8.4] years; 58.7% female) and 871 845 decedents who had Medicare Advantage (mean [SD] age, 82.1 [8.5] years; 54.0% female). Among Medicare fee-for-service decedents, the proportion of deaths that occurred in an acute care hospital decreased from 32.6% (95% CI, 32.4%-32.8%) in 2000 to 19.8% (95% CI, 19.6%-20.0%) in 2015, and deaths in a home or community setting that included assisted living facilities increased from 30.7% (95% CI, 30.6%-30.9%) in 2000 to 40.1% (95% CI, 39.9%-30.3% ) in 2015. Use of the intensive care unit during the last 30 days of life among Medicare fee-for-service decedents increased from 24.3% (95% CI, 24.1%-24.4%) in 2000 and then stabilized between 2009 and 2015 at 29.0% (95% CI, 28.8%-29.2%). Among Medicare fee-for-service decedents, health care transitions during the last 3 days of life increased from 10.3% (95% CI, 10.1%-10.4%) in 2000 to a high of 14.2% (95% CI, 14.0%-14.3%) in 2009 and then decreased to 10.8% (95% CI, 10.6%-10.9%) in 2015. The number of decedents enrolled in Medicare Advantage during the last 90 days of life increased from 358 600 in 2011 to 513 245 in 2015. Among decedents with Medicare Advantage, similar patterns in the rates for site of death, place of care, and health care transitions were observed. Conclusions and Relevance Among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who died in 2015 compared with 2000, there was a lower likelihood of dying in an acute care hospital, an increase and then stabilization of intensive care unit use during the last month of life, and an increase and then decline in health care transitions during the last 3 days of life.
(γ, 2n) Reactions in Light Elements

The yields at several energies for the reactions ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2n){\mathrm{C}}^{10}$, ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2n){\mathrm{O}}^{14}$, ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2n){\mathrm{F}}^{17}$, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2n){\mathrm{Na}}^{21}$, ${\mathrm{P}}^{31}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2p){\mathrm{Al}}^{29}$, and ${\mathrm{P}}^{31}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2pn){\mathrm{Al}}^{28}$ were measured using the x-ray beam from the University of Illinois 300-Mev betatron. It was found that the ratio of integrated cross sections of the ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2n$) to ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, n$) reactions in ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}$ and in ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}$ is of the order of 0.1 and approximately 1-2 orders of magnitude smaller for ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$. The small ($\ensuremath{\gamma}, 2n$) yields for ${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ are consistent with statistical competition between emitted particles if the gamma-ray absorption decreases rapidly with energy above the giant resonance.
A combined landmark and outline-based approach to ontogenetic shape change in the Ordovician trilobite Triarthrus becki

Landmark based geometric morphometrics has developed as a powerful set of statistical and visual tools for the study of the covariance patterns of organismal shape change with a range of variables or factors. The approach is limited in the kinds of shape information accessible to it, however, by the need to employ discrete landmarks as the basis for comparison. In particular, curves and complex outlines are difficult to address using strictly landmark-based methods. Information about curves may be incorporated into the study of shape by the use of semi-landmark methods, which allow information about curved surfaces to be incorporated into the framework of landmark-based geometric morphometrics. We present a discussion of several software and statistical approaches needed to carry out combined landmark and semi-landmark analysis. In particular, we demonstrate several approaches to semi-landmark alignment (including the “edgewarp” method) and compare these to standard landmark based methods utilizing a regression analysis of the Ordovician trilobite Triarthrus becki. Abundant landmarks on the cranidium of T. becki allow landmark methods to represent the shape of that structure effectively, making it a good test case for combined landmark and semi-landmark methods. We verify that patterns of ontogenetic change implied by regression models using varying combinations of landmark and semi-landmark information are consistent with one another. Thus, semi-landmark methods and standard landmark based geometric morphometric methods yield commensurate information about this ontogenetic shape transformation. These results suggests that semi-landmark methods show substantial promise for rigorously testing hypotheses that involve the comparison of shapes when an adequate set of landmarks is not available.
Optimal Combustion Phasing Modeling and Control of a Turbulent Jet Ignition Engine

Combustion phasing control is very important for internal combustion engines to achieve a high thermal efficiency with low engine-out emissions. Traditional open-loop map-based control becomes less favorable in terms of calibration effort, robustness to engine aging, and especially control accuracy for turbulent jet ignition (TJI) engines due to the increased number of control variables over conventional spark-ignition engines. In this paper, a model-based feedforward controller is developed for a TJI engine. A feedback controller is designed based on the linear quadratic tracking control with output covariance constraint. Since the TJI main-chamber combustion is influenced by the prechamber one, the proposed controller optimizes the control variables in both combustion chambers. The proposed feedforward and feedback controller reduces standard deviation of combustion phase by more than 22% over a group of baseline controllers through a series of dynamometer engine tests.
Reproductive Costs for Hybridizing Female Anasa tristis (Hemiptera: Coreidae), but No Evidence of Selection Against Interspecific Mating.

Individuals of different species sometimes mate in nature, and such behavior often carries costs, such as wasted gametes and inviable offspring. One context in which interspecific mating commonly occurs is when closely related species come into secondary contact. Here, we tested whether reproductive isolation is greater in an area of recent secondary contact than in allopatry for two closely related insect species, and we examined whether mating between individuals of these two species constitutes reproductive interference. In Florida, two species of squash bugs (Hemiptera: Coreidae: Anasa tristis DeGeer and Anasa andresii Guerin-Meneville) have been secondarily sympatric for ≥80 generations, and male A. andresii copulate with female A. tristis. Because hybridization is often costly for females, we predicted that secondarily sympatric females would be less likely to mate with heterospecifics than would allopatric females. We found no evidence of recent selection on reproductive isolation: females from both populations were equally likely to mate with heterospecifics, and heterospecific males did not make more mating attempts than conspecifics to achieve copulations. However, female A. tristis paired with heterospecifics produced many fewer eggs and offspring than females paired with conspecifics, and this did not differ according to whether females were from allopatric or sympatric populations. Our findings show that reproductive barriers between these species existed before secondary contact. We suggest that habitat use may limit encounter frequency, and that female choice, multiple mating, and postcopulatory processes may reduce costs for females. Consequently, we suggest that mating systems and ecological factors mediate the effects of reproductive interference.
Sympathetic Joint Effusion in an Urban Hospital.

Objective Sympathetic joint effusion (SJE) and sympathetic synovial effusion (SSE) are recognized as causes of noninflammatory effusion with <2000 white blood cell (WBC) WBC/mm3 in the joint and bursa, respectively. Data on normal range SJE/SSE with <200 WBC/mm3 are unknown. We aimed to investigate the incidence, disease characteristics, and associated triggers of normal range SJE/SSE and to propose diagnostic criteria. Methods This retrospective study included patients hospitalized at Temple University Hospital who underwent a diagnostic arthrocentesis for joint or bursal effusion of unclear etiology from 31 January 2010 to 10 December 2016. A cohort of 72 patients with normal range synovial fluid (<200 WBC/mm3) fulfilled all inclusion criteria for detailed chart review. Results Annualized incidence of SJE/SSE was 1.2%. All 72 patients presented with joint pain and swelling. Twenty-three (32%) also had warmth and 12 (17%) had erythema. Symptom onset was hours to within 6 days in 45 (63%) patients. The most commonly affected joint was the knee (61, 85%). Concurrent pathology in close anatomical proximity to SJE/SSE in the same limb was documented in 29 (40%) patients, most of which (26 of 29, 89%) were infection, deep venous thrombosis, intramuscular fluid collection, and trauma. Less common pathology included adjacent recent hip surgery, loosening of hip prosthesis, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation catheters. Conclusion SJE/SSE is not uncommon in hospitalized patients and mimics both inflammatory and septic arthritis. It is seen with normal and noninflammatory synovial fluid. A search for a root cause in the same limb is warranted when evaluating acute or subacute painful joint effusions with normal range synovial fluid WBC count.
Brain network identification in asynchronous task fMRI data using robust and scalable tensor decomposition

The goal of this work is to robustly identify common brain networks and their corresponding temporal dynamics across subjects in asynchronous task functional MRI (tfMRI) signals. We approached this problem using a robust and scalable tensor decomposition method combined with the BrainSync algorithm. We first used BrainSync algorithm to temporally align asynchronous tfMRI data, allowing us to study common brain networks across subjects. We mapped the synchronized tfMRI data into a 3D tensor (vertices × time × session) and performed a greedy canonical polyadic (CP) decomposition, reducing the rank to 20 in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We incorporated the Nesterovaccelerated adaptive moment estimation into our previously developed scalable and robust sequential CP decomposition (SRSCPD) framework and applied this improved version of SRSCPD to the rank-reduced tensor to identify dynamic brain networks. We successfully identified 9 brain networks with their corresponding temporal dynamics from 40 subjects using Human Connectome Project tfMRI data without using any prior information with regard to the task designs. Three of these show the subjects’ responses to cues at the beginning of each task block (fronto-parietal attentional control network, visual network and executive control network); one corresponds to the default mode network that exhibits deactivation during the tasks; four show motors networks (left hand, right hand, tongue, and both feet) where the temporal dynamics are strongly correlated to the task designs, and the remaining component reflects physiological noise (respiration).
The High Altitude MMIC Sounding Radiometer on the GLOBAL HAWK: From Technology Development to Science Discovery

This paper presents results from the High Altitude MMIC Sounding Radiometer (HAMSR) during three recent field campaigns on the Global Hawk Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAV), focusing on the enabling technology that led to unprecedented observations of significant weather phenomenon, such as thermodynamic evolution of the tropical cyclone core during rapid intensification and the high resolution three dimensional mapping of several atmospheric river events. HAMSR is a 25 channel cross-track scanning microwave sounder with channels near the 60 and 118 GHz oxygen lines and the 183 GHz water vapor line. HAMSR was originally designed and built at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a technology demonstrator in 1998. Subsequent to this, HAMSR participated in three NASA hurricane field campaigns, CAMEX-4, TCSP and NAMMA. Beginning in 2008, HAMSR was extensively upgraded to deploy on the NASA Global Hawk (GH) platform and serve as an asset to the NASA sub-orbital program. HAMSR has participated on the Global Hawk during the 2010 Genesis and Rapid Intensification (GRIP) campaign, the 2011 Winter Storms and Atmospheric Rivers (WISPAR) campaign and is currently participating in the NASA Ventures Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) campaign (2011-2015).
'Let Them Do Drugs' a Commentary on Random Efforts at Shot Blocking in the Sports Drug Game

Performance enhancing supplements are a part of most people's everyday life whether it be coffee, cigarettes, Coke, or something "good for you" in a non-pharmaceutical sense of the term. No where is performance enhancement more sought after than in competitive athletics. This article reviews the historical background of performance enhancements and steroid use in sports. It then analyzes the unnecessarily unwieldy assortment of administrative bodies charged with testing, regulation, and disciplining policy offenders. A look at domestic legislative responses follows, along with a review of the disparate court and administrative decisions rendered in this area from both domestic and international bodies. Next, this article will look at some of the practical implications of these decisions to determine if the goal of ridding sports of these enhancements is truly desirable, remotely realistic and reasonably furthered by the actions of the decisions rendered. While some tangible suggestions on how the system can be reformed are offered, they also consider the prospects of simply changing the rewards available for those found to use unauthorized drugs instead of the ineffective approach of instituting after the fact bans and making examples of certain athletes. Without a concerted effort by more unified domestic and international bodies in conjunction with actions by existing or new governmental authorities there really is no hope for stopping illicit drug usage.
Effect of solution chemistry on the iodine release from iodoapatite in aqueous environments

Abstract To ensure the safe disposal of nuclear waste, understanding the release process of radionuclides retained in the nuclear waste forms is of vital importance. Iodoapatite Pb9.85(VO4)6I1.7, a potential waste form for iodine-129, was selected as a model system for ceramic waste forms in this study to understand the effect of aqueous species on iodine release. Semi-dynamic leaching tests were conducted on bulk samples in cap-sealed Teflon vessels with 0.1 mol/L NaCl, Na2CO3, Na3PO4, and Na2SO4 solutions under 90 °C, fixed sample surface area to solution volume ratio of 5/m, and periodic replacement of leaching solutions. The reacted solutions were then analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry; the leached surfaces were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The result shows that, compared to deionized water, the ion-rich solutions enhanced the iodine release as a result of the increased ionic strength, reduced activity coefficient of dissolved species, and increased solution pH. Surface reactions can lead to the formations of secondary phases by ion-exchange and precipitation. These findings suggest that an ion-rich environment in the geological repository can be detrimental to the disposal safety of the nuclear waste form.
The Algonquin Food System and How It Shaped the Ecosystem and Interactions with the English Colonists of the Chesapeake Bay

The pre-colonial residents of the Chesapeake Bay region developed a sophisticated food system based upon farming, gathering and hunting/fishing. That food system informed all aspects of their lives. The Mesoamerican “three sisters” system of companion farming began to arrive in the region circa 1100 AD. The introduced crops of corn (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and squash (Cucurbita sp.) transformed the Algonquin speaking tribes into part-time farmers. The advent of corn disrupted the preceding food system of hunting and gathering. By 1500 AD, corn accounted for half of the Algonquin diet, reducing their dependence on oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and other marine foods. The Algonquin food system relied on fire as a tool to clear lands for farming and hunting, as well as for cooking and making pottery. The widespread use of fire altered the landscape mosaic, leaving plots in various stages of succession. The English colonists that first arrived in 1607 suffered starvation in the winter of 1609–1610 through a combination of bad weather and inability to employ the Algonquin food system. After the colony recovered and was reinforced with new arrivals, it used denial of access to food as a weapon that ultimately rid the colony of all but a few Native American individuals.
Childhood adversity, prenatal depression, and maternal inflammation across pregnancy:

BackgroundTo examine whether change in neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, a marker of systemic inflammation, differs by childhood adversity and prenatal depression.MethodsPrenatal complete blood count da...
The Addition of a Defibrillator to Resynchronization Therapy Decreases Mortality in Patients With Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) due to nonischemic etiology eligible for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) benefit from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Background It is uncertain whether CRT with an ICD (CRT-D) compared to without an ICD (CRT-P) is associated with a survival benefit in patients with nonischemic etiologies of HFrEF. Methods Analyses of the COMPANION (Comparison of Medical Therapy, Pacing, and Defibrillation in Heart Failure) trial were performed, using Cox proportional hazards modeling stratified by HFrEF etiology of nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) or ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality (ACM), and secondary outcomes were the combination of cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization and sudden cardiac death. Results Among patients randomized to CRT (n = 1,212), 236 (19.5%) died, 131 and 105 in the CRT-P and CRT-D arms, respectively. The unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for CRT-D versus CRT-P were both 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65 to 1.09) for ACM, with a significant device-etiology interaction (pinteraction = 0.015 adjusted; pinteraction = 0.040 unadjusted). In patients with NICM (n = 555), CRT-D versus CRT-P was associated with reduced ACM (adjusted HR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.86), while patients with ICM (n = 657) did not exhibit a between-device reduction in ACM (adjusted HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.77 to 1.44). The effects of CRT-D versus CRT-P on sudden cardiac death (advantage CRT-D) and cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization (no difference between CRT-P and CRT-D) were similar between the 2 HFrEF etiologies. Conclusions COMPANION patients with NICM exhibited a decrease in ACM associated with CRT-D but not CRT-P treatment, whereas patients with ICM did not.
Economic Aspects of Renewable Energy

This chapter deals with the economic analyses of various renewable energy technologies and presents a gradual decline in the costs of renewables over the years. The chapter introduces some basic concepts required to attain an overall idea about the financial breakdown of renewable energy projects. Solar and wind power are given attention in this chapter, with a case study on the economics of a hydropower plant.
Thermal Energy Ion-Molecule Reactions

Publisher Summary This chapter covers several selected topics. The choices have been dictated primarily by the authors' personal interests but the degree of activity and interest of other workers in the various areas have also been considered. As the research utilizes ICR spectroscopy, the emphasis of this chapter is on the application of ICR in the various chosen areas. Following experimental techniques, the chapter discusses in order of appearance: charge transfer reactions, ion-polar molecule collisions, energy dependence, ionic structure determination, and both kinetic and internal. Even in these limited areas of interest, not all of the important papers could be covered. The choice is due to the personal tastes of the authors and is not meant to imply that excluded papers are not important. There are three principal techniques utilized in the study of thermal ion-molecule reactions: single source mass spectrometers, flowing afterglows, and ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy. There are a number of configurations and modes of operation of each of these techniques. However, the chapter outlines only the general characteristics.
Folic acid coenzymes in the biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines. The vitamin, folic acid, is converted to its coenzyme form, tetrahydrofolic acid, by a pyridine nucleotide-dependent enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase. In turn, tetrahydrofolate serves as the carrier of various one-carbon groups that are added to, or abstracted from, metabolites such as histidine, serine, methionine, purines, and thymidylate. Tetrahydrofolate, thus, plays an important role in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, although its action is different in each instance. Two separate steps in the biosynthesis of purines involve the addition of a formyl group to effect ring closure. Conversely, pyrimidines are synthesized by a sequence that does not involve one-carbon units or folate coenzymes. However, important conversions external to the pyrimidine ring, hydroxymethylation or methylation at C-5, require tetrahydrofolate. Dihydrofolate reductase appears to have two functions in the cell: (1) the synthesis of tetrahydrofolate from the vitamin and (2) participation in the thymidylate synthesis cycle. A very interesting property of dihydrofolate reductases is their extreme sensitivity to folate antagonists containing a 4-amino group.
Thermodynamics of molecular species

Thermodynamic Components and Molecular Species. Gibbs Free Energy, Chemical Equilibrium, and Correspondence Theorems. Dilute Solutions, Standard Partial Free Energies, and the Stability Theorem. Displacements from Equilibrium and Error Tolerance. Linear Free-Energy Relationships, Transition-State Theory, and Error Tolerance. Enthalpy-Entropy Compensation and Dormant Interactions. Effect of Molar Shifts on State Functions. Molar-Shift Terms in Dilute Solutions. Hard-Sphere and Potential-Energy Cages Around Molecules in Liquids. Environmental Isomers, Molecular Complexes and Cage Exchange in Liquids. Solvation in Dilute Solutions. Thermodynamics of Ionic Species. References. Index.
Genetic Instabilities in (CTG·CAG) Repeats Occur by Recombination

Abstract The expansion of triplet repeat sequences (TRS) associated with hereditary neurological diseases is believed from prior studies to be due to DNA replication. This report demonstrates that the expansion of (CTG·CAG)n in vivo also occurs by homologous recombination as shown by biochemical and genetic studies. A two-plasmid recombination system was established in Escherichia coli with derivatives of pUC19 (harboring the ampicillin resistance gene) and pACYC184 (harboring the tetracycline resistance gene). The derivatives contained various triplet repeat inserts ((CTG·CAG), (CGG·CCG), (GAA·TTC), (GTC·GAC), and (GTG·CAC)) of different lengths, orientations, and extents of interruptions and a control non-repetitive sequence. The availability of the two drug resistance genes and of several unique restriction sites on the plasmids enabled rigorous genetic and biochemical analyses. The requirements for recombination at the TRS include repeat lengths >30, the presence of CTG·CAG on both plasmids, and recA andrecBC. Sequence analyses on a number of DNA products isolated from individual colonies directly demonstrated the crossing-over and expansion of the homologous CTG·CAG regions. Furthermore, inversion products of the type [(CTG)13(CAG)67]·[(CTG)67(CAG)13] were isolated as the apparent result of “illegitimate” recombination events on intrahelical pseudoknots. This work establishes the relationships between CTG·CAG sequences, multiple fold expansions, genetic recombination, formation of new recombinant DNA products, and the presence of both drug resistance genes. Thus, if these reactions occur in humans, unequal crossing-over or gene conversion may also contribute to the expansions responsible for anticipation associated with several hereditary neurological syndromes.
POTENTIAL STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING CRASH COMPATIBILITY IN THE U.S. VEHICLE FLEET

After decades of focus on car designs that improve the crash protection of occupants in their own cars, some theorists have refocused their attention on vehicle aggressivity, or more generally, the compatibility of vehicles when they crash with each other. Real-world fatal crash data reveal important issues of compatibility related to the broad mix of types and sizes of vehicles in the fleet. However, these data also show that incompatibility among passenger vehicles has accounted for only a small proportion of crash fatalities on U.S. roads and that modifications of the more aggressive vehicles, though appropriate and necessary, will have relatively small effects. Interventions to curtail the development and sale of the largest and heaviest passenger vehicles would be ineffective. The greatest benefit can be expected from continued improvement in the crash protection afforded by each vehicle to its own occupants, particularly in side impacts and particularly among the smallest vehicles.
Resonant inverter design for stand-alone dynamic active piezoelectric energy harvesting

Piezoelectric energy harvesters generate electrical power from ambient mechanical vibrations, making these vibrations a viable energy source for powering wireless sensor and identifier nodes. In order to harvest an appreciable amount of power, piezoelectric devices are typically inserted into high-Q mechanical resonant structures that significantly limit their harvesting bandwidth. Recently, active dynamic energy harvesting techniques have been proposed as a way to widen the bandwidth of resonant piezoelectric energy harvesters; however, a practical stand-alone design has not yet been demonstrated. This paper describes a new resonant inverter topology that implements the dynamic active energy harvesting technique. Experimental results using the Mide Volture V20w piezoelectric device show that over the applied frequency band, this system harvests up to 7.7 times more power at off-resonant frequencies and twice as much power near the resonant frequency when compared to an adaptive rectifier circuit. These results occur while including previously ignored loss mechanisms such as control losses, gating losses, and phase detection losses, and demonstrate the feasibility of a stand-alone system.
Determining Transformation Sequences for Loop Parallelization

Considerable research on loop parallelization for shared memory multiprocessors has focused upon developing transformations for removing loop-carried dependences. In many loops, more than one such transformation is required, and hence the choice of transformations and the order in which they are applied is critical.
A High‐Leverage Language Teaching Practice: Leading an Open‐Ended Group Discussion

In response to calls for more practice-based teacher education, this study investigated the way in which two high-performing novice world language teachers, one in Spanish and one in Latin, implemented a high-leverage teaching practice, leading an open-ended group discussion. Observational data revealed a number of constituent micro-practices. The article offers examples illustrating the way in which the practice was achieved and also captures the impact of such practices on classroom discourse. Findings provide an initial basis upon which continued research on high-leverage teaching practices in the world language education context can be pursued.
Elastic response of polycrystalline and single-crystal YBa2Cu3O7

The elastic response (Young's modulus and internal friction) of the high-${T}_{c}$ superconductor Y${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ has been measured in single-crystal and polycrystalline specimens. For the first time, we resolve the small expected lattice softening associated with the superconducting phase transition. The anomalous lattice stiffening below ${T}_{c}$ in polycrystalline samples is present also in single crystals.
The Life and Times of Anthony Y. H. Lu

Anthony received his bachelor of science degree in agricultural chemistry from the National Taiwan University in 1958. After his education in Taiwan, he immigrated to the United States, where he obtained his doctoral degree in biochemistry at the University of North Carolina. Although he is renowned
The Origin and Mechanisms of CP Violation In the Two-Higgs Doublet Model and Masses of the Exotic Scalars

I rebuild a conventional two-Higgs doublet model by relaxing the spontaneous CP violation and considering approximate global U(1) family symmetries. So that the domain-wall problem does not explicitly arise at the weak scale, but CP violation still solely originates from a single CP-phase in the vacuum after spontaneous symmetry breaking. With this phase four types of CP-violating mechanism are induced in the model. In particular, by a new type of the mechanism, both the indirect- and direct- CP violation (i.e. $\epsilon$ and $\epsilon'/\epsilon$) in kaon decay and the neutron electric dipole moment can be consistently accommodated. The masses of the exotic scalars are weakly constrained in the model and searching for these particles is worthwhile in the presently accessible energy range. Substantial CP violation may occur in the heavy quark and lepton sectors and probing their effects provides a challenge at B-factory and colliders.