cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emotion dysregulation explains the relation between insomnia symptoms and negative reinforcement smoking cognitions among daily smokers.

Abstract Introduction Insomnia co-occurs with smoking. However, mechanisms that may explain their comorbidity are not well known. Method The present study tested the hypothesis that insomnia would exert an indirect effect on negative reinforcement smoking processes via emotion dysregulation among 126 adult non-treatment seeking daily smokers (55 females; M age = 44.1 years, SD = 9.72). Negative reinforcement smoking processes included negative reinforcement smoking outcome expectancies, negative reinforcement smoking motives, and two negative expectancies from brief smoking abstinence (somatic symptoms and harmful consequences). Results Insomnia symptoms yielded a significant indirect effect through emotion dysregulation for negative reinforcement smoking outcome expectancies, negative reinforcement smoking motives, and harmful consequences expectancies from brief smoking abstinence. In contrast to prediction, however, insomnia was not associated with somatic symptom expectancies from brief smoking abstinence through emotion dysregulation. Conclusions These data may suggest that the indirect effect of emotion dysregulation is more relevant to cognitive-affective negative reinforcement processes rather than somatic states. Overall, the present findings contribute to a growing body of literature linking emotion dysregulation as an explanatory mechanism for insomnia and smoking and uniquely extend such work to an array of clinically significant negative reinforcement smoking processes.
ACE I/D Genotype Determines in Vivo Bradykinin Metabolism in Humans

P140 Bradykinin (BK)is a cardioprotective peptide that is inactivated by ACE. An insertion( I )/deletion( D ) polymorphism in the ACE gene determines plasma ACE levels. The D allele is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These correlations may be due to increased conversion of Ang I to Ang II or, alternativley, to increased degradation of BK to its inactive product BK1-5. We determined the effect of ACE I/D on in vivo BK metabolism. BK (400 ng/min) was infused into the brachial artery of volunteers homozygous for the ACE I or D allele. Forearm venous blood was analyzed for BK and BK1-5 using a sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy method. ACE activity, venous BK1-5 conentration and BK1-5:BK ratio were higher in D/D vs I/I subjects, while BK tended to be lower (Table). Total kinin concentration in venous blood correlated with net t-PA release across the forearm (r 2 =0.51, P=0.0012). The ACE I/D polymorphism determines the in vivo degradation of BK in humans. The ratio of BK1-5:BK may serve as a marker for tissue ACE activity.
APPLICATION OF MIXTURE THEORY TO SHOCK INITIATION OF POROUS HNS EXPLOSIVE

A specific microstructural model for the chemical decomposition of shock-loaded HNS explosive has been implemented in a mixture theory. Interaction terms in the mass balance equations have been made consistent with known decomposition kinetics and interaction terms in the energy balance laws are formulated to describe the conjectured microstructural processes. Results of calculations compare favorably with experiments. This study identifies a way in which nonequilibrium processes in the shock environment can be studied and highlights an ambiguity which exists in data interpretation.
Tackling unseen acoustic conditions in query-by-example search using time and frequency convolution for multilingual deep bottleneck features

Standard keyword spotting based on Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) cannot be used on low-and no-resource languages due to lack of annotated data and/or linguistic resources. In recent years, query-by-example (QbE) has emerged as an alternate way to enroll and find spoken queries in large audio corpora, yet mismatched and unseen acoustic conditions remain a difficult challenge given the lack of enrollment data. This paper revisits two neural network architectures developed for noise and channel-robust ASR, and applies them to building a state-of-art multilingual QbE system. By applying convolution in time or frequency across the spectrum, those convolutional bottlenecks learn more discriminative deep bottleneck features. In conjunction with dynamic time warping (DTW), these features enable robust QbE systems. We use the MediaEval 2014 QUESST data to evaluate robustness against language and channel mismatches, and add several levels of artificial noise to the data to evaluate performance in degraded acoustic environments. We also assess performance on an Air Traffic Control QbE task with more realistic and higher levels of distortion in the push-to-talk domain.
Effects of Mediterranean Diet Components on Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract Consumption of Mediterranean diet not only contributes to significant improvements in health status, but also delays the onset of chronic visceral and neurodegenerative diseases. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, moderate to high intake of fish; a low intake of saturated lipids and high intake of olive oil, low intake of meat, and a modest intake of red wine. Mediterranean diet not only increases longevity by lowering cardiovascular disease, inhibiting cancer growth, but also by protecting the body from age-dependent cognitive decline. Studies on beneficial effects of Mediterranean pattern on human population have been controversial. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that long-term, double blind and randomized controlled trials on large human population are needed to know the beneficial effects of Mediterranean diet on human population.
Digital Lean ProductionAn Approach to Identify Potentials for the Migration to a Digitalized Production System in SMEs from a Lean Perspective

Abstract In times of rising product variants, individualization and demand for flexibility, manufacturing companies are forced to meet economic target values to stay competitive within volatile markets. In order to accomplish these targets, companies implement the principles of lean production to ensure efficient and productive manufacturing processes. As the lean production philosophy is based on synchronization and standardization, currently it is stretched to its limits due to its lack of required flexibility in manufacturing processes and ability to cope with the complexity caused by variants and individualization. Digitization offers the possibility to extend the ability of lean production systems in order to adapt manufacturing processes with respect to the requirements resulting from challenging markets. This paper demonstrates the state of the art regarding lean production as wells as digitization and presents an approach based on the consistent opinion of reviewed literature, which formulates digitization as the next step of lean management in production systems. This study reveals the demand for a methodological approach in a SME environment that quantifies the profitability of the implementation of digital technologies in lean production systems. Based on this study a model for the identification of relevant technologies is suggested and the scope of further research is derived.
Synthetic Mining Solutions for Laboratory Testing of Geosynthetic Clay Liners

AbstractGeosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are increasingly used in engineering and environmental applications that include nonstandard solution chemistry. Long-term exposure of geosynthetics to nonst...
Impact of Frailty on Outcomes After Primary and Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Frailty and disability from arthritis are closely intertwined and little is known about the impact of frailty on total hip arthroplasty (THA) outcomes. We hypothesized that higher preoperative frailty is associated with more adverse events following THA. Methods All patients (≥50 years) undergoing unilateral primary or revision THA at a single institution from 2005 through 2016 were included. We analyzed the association of frailty (measured by a frailty deficit index) with postoperative outcomes in hospital, within 90 days, and within 1 year using multivariable logistic and Cox regression, adjusting for age. Results Among 8640 patients undergoing THA (6502 primary and 2138 revisions; median age 68 years), 22.7%, 32.9%, and 44.4% were classified as frail, vulnerable, and nonfrail, respectively. Frail patients tended to be female, older, sicker (American Society of Anesthesiologists ≥3), and received general anesthesia more frequently. Relative to nonfrail patients, frail patients had significantly increased odds of wound complications/hematoma (odds ratio 2.01) and reoperation (odds ratio 2.74) while in hospital, and increased risks for mortality (1-year hazards ratio [HR] 5.65), infection (1-year HR 3.63), dislocation (1-year HR 2.10), wound complications/hematoma (1-year HR 2.61), and reoperation (1-year HR 2.22) within 90 days and 1 year. Frailty was also associated with >5.5-fold increased mortality risk 1 year following THA. No significant associations with aseptic loosening, periprosthetic fracture, or heterotopic ossification were observed. Conclusion A higher preoperative frailty index is associated with increased mortality and perioperative complications following primary and revision THA. The proposed frailty deficit index provides clinically important information for healthcare providers to use when counseling patients prior to decision for surgery.
Extraction of Muscle Synergies in Spinal Cord Injured Patients

Muscle synergies encode motor activity as a linear superposition of multiple motor units composed of a temporal command exciting a specific network of muscles. This study examines muscle synergies derived from simple standing studies of a complete spinal cord injury (SCI) patient under epidural spinal stimulation. A popular technique for extracting these synergies from EMG data is non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF). However, standard NNMF algorithms do not allow for physiological delays for a neural signal to reach different muscles. These delays are prevalent in SCI patients under spinal stimulation, and so we propose a new algorithm (regularized ShiftNMF) to extract muscle synergies which account for signal delays. We find muscle synergies extracted by the regularized ShiftNMF algorithm are significantly better at reconstructing EMG activity, and the resulting features are physiologically consistent and more useful in describing patient behavior.
Combined molecular dynamics and phase field simulation investigations of crystal-melt interfacial properties and dendritic solidification of highly undercooled titanium

Abstract The effects of kinetic and capillary anisotropies on crystal morphology and growth rate during solidification of titanium are studied using atomistically-informed phase field simulations. Molecular dynamics (MD) is employed to calculate the anisotropic kinetic coefficient and crystal-melt interface free energy using the free solidification and capillary methods. The phase field simulation results for solidification velocity and interface temperature are in quantitative good agreement with experimental and analytical data for undercoolings below 150 K. As the role of interface kinetic effects increases with undercooling the use of a modified phase field model allowed the extension of its quantitative prediction capability to higher undercoolings. In addition, the effect of MD calculated kinetic and capillary anisotropy parameters on dendrite shape and tip and solidification velocity was investigated.
A CATALOG OF POINT SOURCES TOWARD NGC 1333

I present a catalog of point-source objects toward NGC 1333, resolving a wide variety of confusion about source names (and occasionally positions) in the literature. I incorporate data from optical to radio wavelengths, but focus most of the effort on being complete and accurate from J (1.25 μm) to 24 μm. The catalog encompasses 52° < R.A. < 52.°5 and 31° < decl. < 31.°6. Cross-identifications include those from more than 25 papers and catalogs from 1994 to 2014, primarily those in wide use as origins of nomenclature. Gaps in our knowledge are identified, with the most important being a lack of spectroscopy for spectral types or even confirmation of youth and/or cluster membership. I fit a slope to the spectral energy distribution (SED) between 2 and 24 μm for the members (and candidate members) to obtain an SED classification, and I compare the resulting classes to those for the same sources in the literature, and for an SED fit between 2 and 8 μm. While there are certainly differences, for the majority of the sources, there is good agreement.
Distinguishing among publics, audiences, and stakeholders in the social media era of unanticipated publics

Abstract Public relations is failing to distinguish among publics, audiences, and stakeholders in today’s social media era, even though the business and marketing literature has begun discussing “brand publics.” This article clarifies the terms and explains the practical value in the definitions and distinctions. It also introduces a new term, “unanticipated publics” and provides a way to conceptualize those publics’ impact from the social network perspective.
Characterization and Failure Analysis of 650-V Enhancement-Mode GaN HEMT for Cryogenically Cooled Power Electronics

In order to evaluate the feasibility of newly developed gallium nitride (GaN) devices in a cryogenically cooled converter, this article characterizes a 650-V enhancement-mode GaN high-electron mobility transistor (GaN HEMT) at cryogenic temperatures. The characterization includes both static and dynamic behaviors. The results show that this GaN HEMT is an excellent device candidate to be applied in cryogenic-cooled applications. For example, transconductance at cryogenic temperature (93 K) is 2.5 times higher than one at room temperature (298 K), and accordingly, peak di / dt during turn-on transients at cryogenic temperature is around 2 times of that at room temperature. Moreover, the ON-resistance of the channel at the cryogenic temperature is only one-fifth of that at room temperature. The corresponding explanations of performance trends at cryogenic temperatures are also given from the view of semiconductor physics. In addition, several device failures were observed during the dynamic characterization of GaN HEMTs at cryogenic temperatures. The ultrafast switching speed-induced high di / dt and dv / dt at cryogenic temperatures amplify the negative effects of parasitics inside the switching loop. Based on failure waveforms, two failure modes were classified, and detailed failure mechanisms caused by ultrafast switching speed are given in this article.
Comparison of three kinematic gait event detection methods during overground and treadmill walking for individuals post stroke.

Abstract Detecting gait events using ground reaction forces (i.e. kinetic detection) is the gold standard, but it is not always possible. Kinematic methods exist; however, accuracy of these methods in stroke survivors during treadmill and overground walking is unknown. Thus, this study compared the accuracy of three kinematic methods during overground and treadmill walking in stroke survivors. Heel strike and toe off were calculated bilaterally using three kinematic methods (horizontal sacral-heel distance, horizontal ankle-heel distance, and horizontal velocity) and a kinetic method for ten stroke survivors. We calculated true and absolute error for each kinematic method relative to the kinetic method to evaluate accuracy. Repeated-measures ANOVAs compared the absolute error between the different methods for each condition. There was a significant effect of method for all conditions except heel strike during treadmill walking. Post hoc tests showed ankle-heel distance detected heel strike with significantly less error than the other methods during overground walking (p
Isoscalar E 0 , E 1 , and E 2 strength in Fe 54 and Zn 64 , 68

The giant resonance region from $10\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}l{E}_{x}l62\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ in $^{54}\mathrm{Fe}, ^{64}\mathrm{Zn}$, and $^{68}\mathrm{Zn}$ has been studied with inelastic scattering of 240-MeV $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ particles at small angles, including ${0}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}$. Between 70 and $105%$ of the expected isoscalar $E0$ strength has been identified below ${E}_{x}=40\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$ for each of the nuclei. Between 71 and $108%$ of the $E1$ strength has been identified while $60%$ of $E2$ strength in $^{54}\mathrm{Fe}$ and $^{68}\mathrm{Zn}$ and $120%$ of the strength in $^{64}\mathrm{Zn}$ have been identified. The strength distributions for $^{54}\mathrm{Fe}$ and $^{64,68}\mathrm{Zn}$ are compared with the predictions from HF-RPA calculations with the KDE0v1 Skyrme interaction.
Cardio-Immuno-Oncology

Applying novel technology developed in immuno-oncology to cardiovascular biology and disease may be transformative.
Dynamic tractography: Integrating cortico-cortical evoked potentials and diffusion imaging.

Abstract Introduction Cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs) are utilized to identify effective networks in the human brain. Following single-pulse electrical stimulation of cortical electrodes, evoked responses are recorded from distant cortical areas. A negative deflection (N1) which occurs 10–50 ​ms post-stimulus is considered to be a marker for direct cortico-cortical connectivity. However, with CCEPs alone it is not possible to observe the white matter pathways that conduct the signal or accurately predict N1 amplitude and latency at downstream recoding sites. Here, we develop a new approach, termed “dynamic tractography,” which integrates CCEP data with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data collected from the same patients. This innovative method allows greater insights into cortico-cortical networks than provided by each method alone and may improve the understanding of large-scale networks that support cognitive functions. The dynamic tractography model produces several fundamental hypotheses which we investigate: 1) DWI-based pathlength predicts N1 latency; 2) DWI-based pathlength negatively predicts N1 voltage; and 3) fractional anisotropy (FA) along the white matter path predicts N1 propagation velocity. Methods Twenty-three neurosurgical patients with drug-resistant epilepsy underwent both extraoperative CCEP recordings and preoperative DWI scans. Subdural grids of 3 ​mm diameter electrodes were used for stimulation and recording, with 98–128 eligible electrodes per patient. CCEPs were elicited by trains of 1 ​Hz stimuli with an intensity of 5 ​mA and recorded at a sample rate of 1 ​kHz. N1 peak and latency were defined as the maximum of a negative deflection within 10–50 ​ms post-stimulus with a z-score > 5 relative to baseline. Electrodes and DWI were coregistered to construct electrode connectomes for white matter quantification. Results Clinical variables (age, sex, number of anti-epileptic drugs, handedness, and stimulated hemisphere) did not correlate with the key outcome measures (N1 peak amplitude, latency, velocity, or DWI pathlength). All subjects and electrodes were therefore pooled into a group-level analysis to determine overall patterns. As hypothesized, DWI path length positively predicted N1 latency (R2 ​= ​0.81, β ​= ​1.51, p ​= ​4.76e-16) and negatively predicted N1 voltage (R2 ​= ​0.79, β ​= ​−0.094, p ​= ​9.30e-15), while FA predicted N1 propagation velocity (R2 ​= ​0.35, β ​= ​48.0, p ​= ​0.001). Conclusion We have demonstrated that the strength and timing of the CCEP N1 is dependent on the properties of the underlying white matter network. Integrated CCEP and DWI visualization allows robust localization of intact axonal pathways which effectively interconnect eloquent cortex.
Ionic solids from common colloids

From rock salt to nanoparticle superlattices, complex structure can emerge from simple building blocks that attract each other through Coulombic forces1–4. On the micrometre scale, however, colloids in water defy the intuitively simple idea of forming crystals from oppositely charged partners, instead forming non-equilibrium structures such as clusters and gels5–7. Although various systems have been engineered to grow binary crystals8–11, native surface charge in aqueous conditions has not been used to assemble crystalline materials. Here we form ionic colloidal crystals in water through an approach that we refer to as polymer-attenuated Coulombic self-assembly. The key to crystallization is the use of a neutral polymer to keep particles separated by well defined distances, allowing us to tune the attractive overlap of electrical double layers, directing particles to disperse, crystallize or become permanently fixed on demand. The nucleation and growth of macroscopic single crystals is demonstrated by using the Debye screening length to fine-tune assembly. Using a variety of colloidal particles and commercial polymers, ionic colloidal crystals isostructural to caesium chloride, sodium chloride, aluminium diboride and K4C60 are selected according to particle size ratios. Once fixed by simply diluting out solution salts, crystals are pulled out of the water for further manipulation, demonstrating an accurate translation from solution-phase assembly to dried solid structures. In contrast to other assembly approaches, in which particles must be carefully engineered to encode binding information12–18, polymer-attenuated Coulombic self-assembly enables conventional colloids to be used as model colloidal ions, primed for crystallization. Oppositely charged colloidal particles are assembled in water through an approach that allows electrostatic interactions to be precisely tuned to generate macroscopic single crystals.
Complexity and Regulation in the Acetylcholine Storage System of Synaptic Vesicles

Synaptic vesicles isolated from the electric organ of Torpedo exhibit active transport of acetylcholine (AcCh). The transport system is composed of at least three components; namely, an ATPase thought to pump protons into the vesicle, an AcCh transporter which draws on the proton-motive-force to drive secondary active transport of AcCh, and a receptor for the drug 1-2-(4-phenylpiperidino)cyclohexanol (vesamicol, formerly known as AH5183) (Bahr and Parsons, 1986a). When the vesamicol receptor is occupied, AcCh active transport is blocked noncompetitively with no effect on the ATPase activity (Anderson et al., 1983; Bahr and Parsons, 1986b).
D. Eugene Strandness, Jr., MD, vascular surgeon of persistent curiosity.

Abstract As a junior colleague of Dr. D. E. Strandness, Jr., for almost 30 years, I had the unique professional opportunity to witness the development of duplex ultrasonography at the University of Washington. “Gene” as he liked to be called, was a surgeon with a persistent curiosity about vascular disease. He led the multidisciplinary team that developed the technique of duplex ultrasound, measured its diagnostic accuracy, and performed research studies to reduce stroke due to carotid bifurcation atherosclerosis. My reflections on the legacy of Dr. Strandness are offered with gratitude for the curiosity “bug” he nurtured in me, which continues today.
Observer-Based Extremum Seeking Control of Static Maps with Delays

This paper develops a multivariable extremum-seeking control technique for static maps with constant and known input-output delays. The technique is based on the estimation of the gradient of the map as an unknown time-varying parameter using an infinite-dimensional observer. Un-like conventional extremum-seeking controllers, the proposed delay-compensated controller does not require the perturbation signal to be periodic, nor does it require any averaging analysis to guarantee closed-loop stability. Using Lyapunov stability analysis, we show that the observer-coupled closed-loop system exponentially converges to a small neighborhood of the origin. The effectiveness of the controller is demonstrated using a numerical simulation.
A hybrid mesh and voxel based Monte Carlo algorithm for accurate and efficient photon transport modeling in complex bio-tissues

Abstract Over the past decade, an increasing body of evidence has suggested that threedimensional (3-D) Monte Carlo (MC) light transport simulations are affected by the inherent limitations and errors of voxel-based domain boundaries. In this work, we specifically address this challenge using a hybrid MC algorithm, namely split-voxel MC or SVMC, that combines both mesh and voxel domain information to greatly improve MC simulation accuracy while remaining highly flexible and efficient in parallel hardware, such as graphics processing units (GPU). We achieve this by applying a marching-cubes algorithm to a pre-segmented domain to extract and encode sub-voxel information of curved surfaces, which is then used to inform ray-tracing computation within boundary voxels. This preservation of curved boundaries in a voxel data structure demonstrates significantly improved accuracy in several benchmarks, including a human brain atlas. The accuracy of the SVMC algorithm is comparable to that of mesh-based MC (MMC), but runs 2x-6x faster and requires only a lightweight preprocessing step. The proposed algorithm has been implemented in our open-source software and is freely available at http://mcx.space.
Significance and Sources of Antimicrobial-Resistant Nontyphoidal Salmonella Infections in Humans in the United States:

Human Salmonella infections are common; most infections are self-limiting but severe disease may occur. Antimicrobial agents, while not essential for the treatment of Salmonella gastroenteritis, are essential for the treatment of thousands of patients each year with invasive infections. Fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins are the drugs-of-choice for invasive Salmonella infections in humans; alternative antimicrobial choices are limited by increasing antimicrobial resistance and less desirable pharmacodynamic properties. Little correlation is noted between the antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolates collected from persons with Salmonella infections and antimicrobial agents used for the treatment of Salmonella infections in humans. Direct evidence is available which demonstrates that antimicrobial resistant Salmonella result from the use of antimicrobial agents in food animals and these antimicrobial resistant Salmonella are subsequently transmitted to humans, usually through the food supply. Because of the adverse health consequences in humans and animals associated with the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella, there is an urgent need to emphasize nonantimicrobial strategies, such as improved sanitation and hygiene, to develop guidelines for the prudent usage of antimicrobial agents, and to restrict the use of fluoroquinolones in food animals to minimize the development of antimicrobial resistance and dissemination of antimicrobial resistant pathogens.
Associations between Consistent and High-quality Teacher-child Interactions and Preschool Children’s Self-regulation and Activity in the Stress Response System

Research Findings: This study aims to understand the ways in which classroom-level teacher-child interaction quality is predictive of self-regulatory behavior and physiology. Specifically, we exami...
CT-008: The Positive Effect of SKD Plus IOT and HBO2T in the Treatment of Cancer [Introducing Sorush Cancer Treatment Protocol (SCTP)]

Background The aim of this research is to figure out the effectiveness of the Sorush Cancer Treatment Protocol (SCTP) which is based on the Evolutionary Metabolic Hypothesis of Cancer (EMHC) and introducing the Specific Ketogenic Diet (SKD) plus Intravenous Ozone Therapy (IOT) in Phase (1) on 54 cancer patients, and combination of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy with vitamin/mineral and herbal supplementation beside the SKD and IOT in Phase (2) of this research on the remaining 31 cancer patients. Materials and Methods Based on the research from 1928–2016 and the experimentation of cancer treatments and protocols on cancer patients, we have reached a treatment and decided to test it on 54 voluntary cancer patients in the first stage of their disease. In this treatment we used a 5-day water fasting state, the Specific Ketogenic Diet (SKD) designed by ourselves and Intravenous Ozone Therapy (IOT) in the duration of 90 days (Phase 1) and another 90 days (Phase 2) with the entrance of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2T) and several supplements which have been effective in previous studies on cancer patients. We have used the measurement of saliva pH, the MRI device and statistical methods to test the shrinkage of the tumors. Results After Phase (1) of this research on 54 patients the average percentage decrease in the tumors was 58% and after Phase (2) on 31 remaining cancer patients the average percentage decrease in the tumors was 98.8%. The average saliva pH in the fasting state of the cancer patients improved from acidic to alkaline as well. Conclusion In conclusion, we have reached an effective cancer treatment based on SCTP by the usage of SKD, IOT, HBO2T and several supplements. There was an obvious improvement of cancer tumor decrease, lifestyle, saliva pH and we did not observe any side effects or cachexia in any of the patients.
Macrophage autophagy limits acute toxic liver injury in mice through down regulation of interleukin-1β.

Background & Aims Overactivation of the innate immune response underlies many forms of liver injury including that caused by hepatotoxins. Recent studies have demonstrated that macrophage autophagy regulates innate immunity and resultant tissue inflammation. Although hepatocyte autophagy has been shown to modulate hepatic injury, little is known about the role of autophagy in hepatic macrophages during the inflammatory response to acute toxic liver injury. Our aim therefore was to determine whether macrophage autophagy functions to down regulate hepatic inflammation. Methods Mice with a LysM- CRE -mediated macrophage knockout of the autophagy gene ATG5 were examined for their response to toxin-induced liver injury from D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (GalN/LPS). Results Knockout mice had increased liver injury from GalN/LPS as determined by significant increases in serum alanine aminotransferase, histological evidence of liver injury, positive terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling, caspase activation and mortality as compared to littermate controls. Levels of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor and interleukin (IL)-6 hepatic mRNA and serum protein were unchanged, but serum IL-1β was significantly increased in knockout mice. The increase in serum IL-1β was secondary to elevated hepatic caspase 1 activation and inflammasome-mediated cleavage of pro-IL-1β to its active form. Cultured hepatic macrophages from GalN/LPS-treated knockout mice had similarly increased IL-1β production. Dysregulation of IL-1β was the mechanism of increased liver injury as an IL-1 receptor antagonist prevented injury in knockout mice in concert with decreased neutrophil activation. Conclusions Macrophage autophagy functions to limit acute toxin-induced liver injury and death by inhibiting the generation of inflammasome-dependent IL-1β.
Chapter 15. Novel Approaches Toward Discovery of Antibacterial Agents

Publisher Summary A key discovery was the finding that the β-pyranose form of KDO, the least abundant of the four solution tautomers, was the preferred substrate for CMP-KDO synthetase. Neither dKDO nor NH 2 -dKDO analogs were active against intact bacterial cells, suggesting that these compounds were not being efficiently transported into these cells. Effective transport of KDO inhibitors was ultimately accomplished by linking amino acid residues by a peptide bond to the 8-amino group of NH2-dKDO; this strategy had been used previously to transport other heterologous compounds into bacteria. Animal infection models confirmed the activity of the oxazolidinones against the aforementioned pathogens. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that DuP 721 is well absorbed orally and that peak serum levels, even after single administration of nontoxic doses of compound to rats, dogs, or mice were in excess of the MIC 90 s for both Staphylococci and Streptococci . The potency of the isothiazolo-quinolones is reflected in their inherent DNA gyrase inhibitory activities as measured in a supercoiling assay as well as by their superior MIC values. The isothiazolo-quinolones represent the first modification of the carboxylic acid moiety resulting in a series of extremely potent anti-bacterials. Although it is not clear what the rate-limiting component is in the secretion pathway, it is clear that there are multiple targets within this pathway, many of which are essential to normal growth. Compounds that interfere with the secretion pathway at different steps could be detected in screens based on either of the above genetic strategies. The chapter discusses the strategies to enrich for compounds with novel mechanisms, using genetic and biochemical approaches that have proven successful in the identification of mutants or protein components in the respective areas.
Applications of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery in Oncology

The goal of this chapter is to introduce carbon nanomaterials and highlight research focused on their use as cancer therapeutics. The physical properties of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, including their spectral characteristics are described. Current oncology treatment regimes are described to provide an overview of where carbon nanomaterials may have significant value in further development of the established standards of care procedures. Photodynamic therapy and drug delivery using fullerene C60 is explored. Thermal ablation techniques using carbon nanotubes are explained and alternate hyperthermic methods using carbon nanotubes are described. Specifically, carbon nanotubes are examined for their potential contribution to the currently practiced clinical therapy intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion. Nanotubes and nanohorns filled with chemotherapeutic agents are examined as are different methods for filling and containment of drug moieties. The attachment of active molecules to fullerenes is described with examples for use in oncology. Toxicity issues are explored and the future directions and potential for carbon nanomaterial types concludes the chapter.
Toward 1024-channel parallel neural recording: Modular Δ-ΔΣ analog front-end architecture with 4.84fJ/C-s·mm 2 energy-area product

We report an energy- and area-efficient modular analog front-end (AFE) architecture incorporating Δ-modulated ΔΣ (Δ-ΔΣ) signal acquisition for 1,024-channel brain activity monitoring platforms. The AFE employs spectrum-equalizing and continuous-time (CT)-ΔΣ quantization to make use of the inherent spectral characteristics of brain signals. The dynamic range (DR) of the neural signals has been compressed by 27dB (spectrum equalization). The energy-area product is the most critical figure of merit for massively-parallel recordings and the AFE achieves 4.84fJ/C-s·mm2, the smallest ever reported. The fabricated circuits consume 0.05mm2 and 3.05μW/channel, exhibiting 63.8dB SNDR, 3.02 NEF, and 4.56NEF2V DD .
The hard problem of carbonitrides

The mechanical properties of carbonitrides — materials containing carbon or nitrogen, together with a transition metal — can be tested empirically, revealing that carbonitrides are nearly as hard as diamonds. Computer simulations have now linked these experimental observations to the underlying electronic structure of the material.
Self-Defense and Gun Regulation for All

The importance and universality of self-defense rights are beyond dispute. Self-defense emerged as a major social and constitutional issue in the second half of the twentieth century focused on minorities and women before it provided the primary basis for expansive Second Amendment rights. Supporters of broad Second Amendment rights base them on an individual and collective right to self-defense against attacks by others, but they differ about the source of the danger - the others who are attacking. Professor Nicholas Johnson emphasizes that law-abiding blacks are most at risk and most need guns to defend themselves because of black-on-black violence and the government’s failure to provide safety. He opposes gun regulation, which he considers “disarmament,” and favors armed self-defense. The import of the common arguments of opponents of gun regulation is that their absolutist understanding of their rights to self-defense and freedom, their dire perceptions of the perils of government, and their fantasies of the necessity and efficacy of armed resistance to the federal government require the rest of us to live with the open gun market, with its very real and immediate toll of over 30,000 people shot dead a year, and with the usually unspoken normalcy of widespread murder and fear that undermines the quality and tenor of daily life. But there are regulations that would significantly reduce the easy availability of guns to criminals, youth, and mass murderers without interfering with self-defense. Blacks and whites, and everybody else, do not need that open gun market for self-defense. Self-defense and gun regulation can coexist.
Restauración de una mandíbula reabsorbida empleando membrana reabsorbible y material de injerto óseo con colocación simultánea del implante: presentación de dos casos

La regeneracion osea guiada se ha demostrado efectiva para la reconstruccion de defectos oseos localizados alrededor de implantes endoseos. La matriz dermica acelular se emplea en innumerables aplicaciones dentales, como la cobertura radicular o la reconstruccion de tejido queratinizado. En este trabajo, se empleo matriz dermica acelular como membrana en una cirugia de implantes con aumento oseo simultaneo en dos casos de mandibula reabsorbida. La anchura del reborde alveolar se preservo adecuadamente, y los defectos de dehiscencia vestibular se cubrieron con hueso regenerado. Esta tecnica quirurgica permite ofrecer al clinico una opcion para el tratamiento con implantes. Son necesarios mas estudios controlados aleatorios durante periodos de tiempo largos para establecer si este procedimiento ofrece beneficios a largo plazo.
Modern spectral analysis techniques for pulsed Doppler ultrasound velocity measurements

Fast Fourier transform (FFT), the maximum likelihood method (MLM), and autoregressive (AR) modeling with the Burg and modified covariance algorithms are compared for their suitability in deriving accurate blood flow velocity estimations from pulsed Doppler ultrasound measurements. Optimal parameter values are defined for each method, and the effects of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal bandwidth are investigated. It is shown that the MLM leads to the most robust velocity estimator. >
Line in the Sand: A History of the Western U.S.–Mexico Border

The U.S.–Mexican border is discussed largely in security terms – terrorism, illegal drug trafficking, and the unauthorized (and, for some, unwanted) migrants who supposedly undercut this security b...
Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the Motivation Assessment Scale and Resident Choice Assessment Scale

The Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) and Resident Choice Assessment Scale (RCAS) are commonly used to evaluate people with severe developmental disabilities. However, the factor structure of these scales has not been subjected to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We analyzed 335 MAS administrations via CFA and 122 RCAS administrations via exploratory factor analysis and CFA. The original factor structure of the MAS was not supported, though an alternative model that included omission of the sensory reinforcement function was supported. Exploratory factor analysis of the RCAS revealed one- and two-factor structures, but the two-factor model was not supported via CFA. Instead, a limited single factor that included several core items was supported. Implications for the revision and use of these scales are discussed.
Line following terrestrial insect biobots

The present day technology falls short in offering centimeter scale mobile robots that can function effectively under unknown and dynamic environmental conditions. Insects, on the other hand, exhibit an unmatched ability to navigate through a wide variety of environments and overcome perturbations by successfully maintaining control and stability. In this study, we use neural stimulation systems to wirelessly navigate cockroaches to follow lines to enable terrestrial insect biobots. We also propose a system-on-chip based ZigBee enabled wireless neurostimulation backpack system with on-board tissue-electrode bioelectrical coupling verification. Such a capability ensures an electrochemically safe stimulation and avoids irreversible damage to the interface which is often misinterpreted as habituation of the insect to the applied stimulation.
Expanding Markets: Foreign Direct Investment as a Lesson in Economic Geography

Abstract Firms face numerous challenges when looking to invest internationally, not the least of which includes understanding the business environment of a new market. Given the expansion and impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI), it has become increasingly important for students to understand and analyze the motivations, concerns, and strategies of companies looking to expand globally. This article illustrates the importance of introducing the topic of FDI into economic geography coursework by using the case of Canadian firms in China.
Estimating abundance of the federally endangered Mitchell's satyr butterfly using hierarchical distance sampling

Estimates of animal abundance are essential to conservation biology and are sorely lacking for many endangered species in the United States of America. This lack of knowledge may disproportionately affect butterflies in the USA, which form the largest group of federally protected insects (20 of 62 species). The Mitchell's satyr butterfly, Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii, is a federally endangered species found at 18 highly isolated sites in the Eastern USA. Currently, surveys are conducted by meandering through habitat and recording the number of butterflies observed. These surveys are efficient in terms of staffing and time, but the data from these surveys cannot be used to estimate abundance. Mark release recapture surveys generate estimates of demographic parameters and have been conducted, albeit infrequently, and require high staffing levels and weeks of fieldwork to generate estimates with reasonable error. I employed hierarchical distance sampling along line transects to estimate N. m. mitchellii abundance at one site in lower Michigan, USA. This method requires one observer to traverse a series of transects at a walking pace and record the number of butterflies observed and their perpendicular distance to the transect line. My results suggest that this method is as cost efficient as meander surveys, but generates reasonable estimates of butterfly abundance.
A pH-ISFET sensor with on-chip temperature sensing

The authors have designed a planar diffuse silicon diode on an n-channel pH-sensitive ISFET sensor to act as a temperature sensor for on-chip temperature measurement and compensation. Critical and accurate pH measurements require fast response to changing thermal conditions, and the on-chip diode provides a possible solution to fast detection of thermal fluctuations. Temperature compensation is achieved by signal processing electronics. The authors present experimental results on the use of this dual sensor for pH and temperature. Various parameters affecting the thermal characteristics of the overall temperature response of the pH-ISFET sensor are discussed. The improvements that provide more accurate pH measurements are presented. >
Conductive Polymers Consisting of Partially Oxidized, Face-to-Face Linked Metallomacrocycles

Abstract : This communication reports on an approach to control molecular stacking interactions in low-dimensional mixed valence materials by locking partially oxidized metallomacrocycles together in a face-to-face orientation. Iodine doping of the face-to-face linked oligomers (M(Pc)O)(n)(M = Si, Ge, Sn; Pc = phthalocyaninato) produces electrically conductive polymers (M(Pc)O)I(X)n with a range of x stoichiometries. Electronic and lattice structure have been studied by resonance Raman spectroscopy, which indicates the presence of I3(-) or I5(-) but no I2, and by X-ray powder diffraction, which allows estimation of the interplanar (ring-ring) spacings. (Author)
Using reparametrization invariance to define vacuum infinities in string path integrals

Abstract Path integrals for interacting world sheet sigma models play a key role in string theory. For open strings, the relevant path integral is one-dimensional and has direct physical interpretation as a source term for closed string fields. This means that the vacuum divergences (Mobius infinities) of the path integral must be renormalized correctly. In this paper we show that reparametrization invariance Ward identities, apart from specifying the equations of motion of space-time background gauge fields, also serve to fix the renormalization scheme of the vacuum divergences.
Prognosis with mechanical ventilation: the influence of disease, severity of disease, age, and chronic health status on survival from an acute illness.

This report presents a model for relating readily available clinical and physiologic measurements to prognosis from mechanical ventilation. Using data from 571 acutely ill, ventilated patients admitted to the intensive care units of 12 hospitals, it illustrates the relationship between the disease, the initiating respiratory failure, the acute severity of the disease, and the patient's age and chronic health status and the patient's probability of survival. The results indicate that, of the 296 deaths among the 571 ventilated patients, 142 (48%) could be identified on the day of ICU admission to be at a 75% or greater risk of hospital death; 49 of these patients were estimated to have a 90% or greater risk of death. After 3 days of ICU treatment, estimates for hospital mortality increased to 97% (39 patients). We believe that such estimates, when available from a larger number of patients and combined with additional information on the patient's desires, expectations, preillness quality of life, and progn...
The fracture response of blended formulations containing limestone powder: Evaluations using two-parameter fracture model and digital image correlation

Abstract The fracture response of mortars in which OPC is partially replaced by limestone or a combination of limestone and fly ash/metakaolin (i.e., for total OPC replacement levels of 20% and 35% by volume) is reported. The blended mortars demonstrate fracture parameters (fracture toughness, K IC S and critical crack tip opening displacement, CTOD c , determined using the two-parameter fracture model, TPFM) that are comparable to or better than those of pure OPC formulations in spite of having slightly lower compressive strengths than the OPC systems. The ternary blends containing limestone and metakaolin at 20% OPC replacement show the best performance: a consequence of the beneficial limestone–alumina synergy that has been previously established. The strain energy release rates also show trends that are in line with the other fracture parameters. The fracture parameters for selected mixtures evaluated through a non-contact digital image correlation technique are found to correspond well to those determined from TPFM. The outcomes highlight that improved ductility can be attained through the judicious use of limestone and synergistic OPC replacement materials.