cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HEPATIC INJURY ON A NUTRITIONAL BASIS IN RATS.

In forty-eight rats kept on a basal diet deficient in the vitamin B complex and supplemented with vitamin B1 and riboflavin or with vitamin B1, riboflavin and vitamin B6, various pathological changes in the liver were observed. These changes were characterized mainly by parenchymatous and fatty degeneration, focal and massive necrosis, hyperemia and hernorrhage and, in some of the rats, by perilobular and condensation fibrosis. Addition of yeast or Peters' eluate (yeast extract) regularly prevented this hepatic injury. On the basis of the evidence obtained, it is assumed that the liver changes are of nutritional origin and should be correlated to deficiency of a part of the vitamin B2 complex.
Improving Traditional Balancing Methods for High-Speed Rotors

This paper introduces frequency response functions, analyzes the relationships between the frequency response functions and influence coefficients theoretically, and derives corresponding mathematical equations for high-speed rotor balancing. The relationships between the imbalance masses on the rotor and frequency response functions are also analyzed based upon the modal balancing method, and the equations related to the static and dynamic imbalance masses and the frequency response function are obtained. Experiments on a high-speed rotor balancing rig were performed to verify the theory, and the experimental data agree satisfactorily with the analytical solutions. The improvement on the traditional balancing method proposed in this paper will substantially reduce the number of rotor startups required during the balancing process of rotating machinery.
Revision of the New World and south‐east Asian Vatellini (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hydroporinae) and phylogenetic analysis of the tribe

Members of the tribe Vatellini occurring in the New World and south-east Asia are revised. A cladistic analysis of the tribe is presented including all New World and south-east Asian species and several species of African Derovatellus Sharp. The results indicate that Mesovatellus Tremouilles is nested within Derovatellus, that Vatellus Aube is nested within Macrovatellus Sharp, and that D. (Varodetellus) Bistrom and Derovatellus are not mutually monophyletic. Therefore, the following genus–group synonymies are formally recognized; Mesovatellus and D. (Varodetellus) = Derovatellus (syn. nov.) and Macrovatellus = Vatellus (syn. nov.). Derovatellus floridanus is elevated from status as a synonym or subspecies of D. lentus (Wehncke) to species status (stat. nov.). The following eight new species are described: Derovatellus roosevelti, D. spangleri, Vatellus drymetes, V. amae, V. annae, V. pilacaudus, V. wheeleri and V. maculosus. The following species–group synonymies are formally recognized: Derovatellus ibarraiSpangler 1966 = D. floridanusFall, 1932 (syn. nov.); and Macrovatellus rudisSharp, 1882 and M. marginalisSharp, 1882 = Vatellus lateralis (Sharp, 1882) (syn. nov.). A detailed revision of the morphology of members of the tribe is presented along with the description of an abdominal gland system (the ‘speleum’) that is a synapomorphy for the Vatellini. Keys to species and type information, diagnoses, descriptions, distributions and phylogenetic information are provided for each extant New World and south-east Asian species in the tribe. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 144, 415–510.
10-W-level diode-pumped compact 2.78 μm ZBLAN fiber laser

We report on >9W transverse-fundamental-mode CW output near 3 μm from a 4m heavily erbium-doped ZBLAN double-clad fiber laser pumped by a collimated 100 W 975 nm laser diode array. The pump threshold of the fiber laser was about 1W, and the slope efficiency was 21.3%. The peak wavelength of free running was about 2708 nm at low pump power and moved to around 2785 nm at high pump power. Output of 9W was obtained when the launched pump power was 42.8W. The output, however, fluctuated intensively like a pulsed laser, and the operation broke down with optical damage of the pumping end facet when the pump was increased beyond 42.8 W. Therefore, alleviation of the operation fluctuation, heat management, and strengthening the pumping fiber are crucial considerations for the stable operation of 10-W-level mid-IR ZBLAN fiber lasers.
Control of a humanoid robot by a noninvasive brain–computer interface in humans

We describe a brain-computer interface for controlling a humanoid robot directly using brain signals obtained non-invasively from the scalp through electroencephalography (EEG). EEG has previously been used for tasks such as controlling a cursor and spelling a word, but it has been regarded as an unlikely candidate for more complex forms of control owing to its low signal-to-noise ratio. Here we show that by leveraging advances in robotics, an interface based on EEG can be used to command a partially autonomous humanoid robot to perform complex tasks such as walking to specific locations and picking up desired objects. Visual feedback from the robot's cameras allows the user to select arbitrary objects in the environment for pick-up and transport to chosen locations. Results from a study involving nine users indicate that a command for the robot can be selected from four possible choices in 5 s with 95% accuracy. Our results demonstrate that an EEG-based brain-computer interface can be used for sophisticated robotic interaction with the environment, involving not only navigation as in previous applications but also manipulation and transport of objects.
Discovering Ink: A Mentor for an Historical Ethnography

Ethnographers often find that the discovery of a mentor, someone who generously unlocks doors and shares invaluable experience with a naive outsider, is a critical turning point in the research process. This article explores a mentor-investigator relationship in ethnographic research within the more specialized field of historical ethnography and through a case of historical ethnography: fieldwork in Chicago’s jazz and blues music scenes from August through October 1924, where the discovery of a mentor has brought an unexpected and original perspective to the research.
Semi-parallel reconfigurable architectures for real-time LDPC decoding

This paper presents a semi-parallel architecture for decoding low density parity check (LDPC) codes. A modified version of min-sum algorithm has been used which the advantage of simpler computations has compared to sum-product algorithm without any loss in performance. Special structure of the parity check matrix of the proposed code leads to an efficient semi-parallel implementation of the decoder for a family of (3, 6) LDPC codes. A prototype architecture has been implemented in VHDL on programmable hardware. The design is easily scalable and reconfigurable for larger block sizes. Simulation results show that our proposed decoder for a block length of 1536 bits can achieve data rates up to 127 Mbps.
Chaotic Microcavity Lasers

In this talk, we demonstrate that the lasing threshold in a semiconductor microstadium can be minimized by tuning its shape. Contrary to common expectation, modes of such a completely open fully chaotic microcavity may have long lifetime. As the dielectric microstadium represents a completely open fully chaotic cavity, this work opens the door to control chaotic microcavity lasers by tailoring its shape
A CCHC metal-binding domain in Nanos is essential for translational regulation

The Drosophila Nanos protein is a localized repressor of hunchback mRNA translation in the early embryo, and is required for the establishment of the anterior-posterior body axis. Analysis of nanos mutants reveals that a small, evolutionarily conserved, C-terminal region is essential for Nanos function in vivo, while no other single portion of the Nanos protein is absolutely required. Within the C-terminal region are two unusual Cys-Cys-His-Cys (CCHC) motifs that are potential zinc-binding sites. Using absorption spectroscopy and NMR we demonstrate that the CCHC motifs each bind one equivalent of zinc with high affinity. nanos mutations disrupting metal binding at either of these two sites in vitro abolish Nanos translational repression activity in vivo. We show that full-length and C-terminal Nanos proteins bind to RNA in vitro with high affinity, but with little sequence specificity. Mutations affecting the hunchback mRNA target sites for Nanos-dependent translational repression were found to disrupt translational repression in vivo, but had little effect on Nanos RNA binding in vitro. Thus, the Nanos zinc domain does not specifically recognize target hunchback RNA sequences, but might interact with RNA in the context of a larger ribonucleoprotein complex.
Complexity and Army Transformation

On 12 Octther 1999, the U.S. Army began a journey down a new path to innovation, when General Eric Shinseki presented his vision of Army Transformation at the 45th annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army. In this speech, General Shinseki described the Army as an organization consisting of heavy forces with excellent staying power but poor strategic responsiveness, light forces with excellent responsiveness but poor staying power, and a logistics system with an excessively large footprint. His proposed solution, a comprehensive change of the Army resulting in full-spectrum dominance and strategic responsiveness, would occur so quickly as to “be unnerving to some.” [Shinseki. 1999] While this prediction has turned out in some ways to be true, it is not necessarily the speed of change that is unnerving to many of the people studying Army Transformation.
Resilient design of recharging station networks for electric transportation vehicles

As societies shift to “greener” means of transportation using electricity-driven vehicles one critical challenge we face is the creation of a robust and resilient infrastructure of recharging stations. A particular issue here is the optimal location of service stations. In this work, we consider the placement of battery replacing service station in a city network for which the normal traffic flow is known. For such known traffic flow, the service stations are placed such that the expected performance is maximized without changing the traffic flow. This is done for different scenarios in which roads, road junctions and service stations can fail with a given probability. To account for such failure probabilities, the previously developed facility interception model is extended. Results show that service station failures have a minimal impact on the performance following robust placement while road and road junction failures have larger impacts which are not mitigated easily by robust placement.
Assessment of the Frequency-Domain Multi-Distance Method to Evaluate the Brain Optical Properties: Monte Carlo Simulations from Neonate to Adult

The near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) frequency-domain multi-distance (FD-MD) method allows for the estimation of optical properties in biological tissue using the phase and intensity of radiofrequency modulated light at different source-detector separations. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of this method to retrieve the absorption coefficient of the brain at different ages. Synthetic measurements were generated with Monte Carlo simulations in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based heterogeneous head models for four ages: newborn, 6 and 12 month old infants, and adult. For each age, we determined the optimal set of source-detector separations and estimated the corresponding errors. Errors arise from different origins: methodological (FD-MD) and anatomical (curvature, head size and contamination by extra-cerebral tissues). We found that the brain optical absorption could be retrieved with an error between 8–24% in neonates and infants, while the error increased to 19–44% in adults over all source-detector distances. The dominant contribution to the error was found to be the head curvature in neonates and infants, and the extra-cerebral tissues in adults.
Molecular Systematics of New World Gopher, Bull, and Pinesnakes (Pituophis: Colubridae), a Transcontinental Species Complex

Pituophis melanoleucus (gopher, bull, and pinesnakes) is among the most widely distributed polytypic species complexes in North America, with most authors recognizing from a single transcontinental species (the melanoleucus complex, composed of 15 subspecies) to four (monotypic and polytypic) species. We used mitochondrial gene sequences from the two middle American species, P. deppei and P. lineaticollis, and from 13 subspecies from most of the range of the melanoleucus complex to test various phylogenetic hypotheses for Pituophis. Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods identified the same major clades within Pituophis and indicated that two segments of the melanoleucus complex, the lodingi-melanoleucus-mugitus eastern pinesnake clade and the affinis-annectens-bimaris-catenifer-deserticola- sayi-ruthveni-vertebr alis clade from central and western United States and northern Mexico, represent divergent, allopatric lineages with no known intergradation zone. We recognize each of these two groupings as a different species. Our data also indicate that some ruthveni are more closely related to sayi than to other ruthveni. Nonetheless, ruthveni is an allopatric taxon diagnosable from its closest relatives by a combination of morphometric characters, and because it is likely that at least some of these traits are independent and genetically inherited, we interpret this as evidence that ruthveni has attained the status of independent evolutionary lineage, despite the fact that it retains strong genetic affinities with sayi. The endemic Baja Californian gopher snakes (bimaris and vertebralis) are considered by some taxonomists as a different species, P. vertebralis, but we discovered that these serpents belong to two different clades and hence we do not agree with the recognition of P. vertebralis as presently defined. In summary, we believe that three distinct species are included in the melanoleucus complex, Pituophis melanoleucus (sensu stricto), P. catenifer, and P. ruthveni, and that their recognition better represents the evolutionary diversity within this species complex.
Seeing Red: Inside the Science and Politics of the IUCN Red List

The Red List of Threatened Species™ (hereafter Red List) is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's most recognisable product. The Red List categorises the conservation status of species on a global scale using 'the most objective, scientifically-based information'. Completing Red List assessments is the job of the Species Survival Commission (SSC), and assessments are most often conducted by species specialist groups within the SSC. In the SSC's Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG), assessments have been contested. Debate is often couched in scientific terms, focused on data availability and the relevance of Red List criteria for marine turtles. However, given the potential conservation impacts of such listings, much more is at stake. In this paper, I analyse an exchange among MTSG members that resulted when the draft Red List assessment for the hawksbill sea turtle was circulated to the group in June 2007. The suggested listing of hawksbill turtles as 'critically endangered' sparked an email exchange that highlighted not only the scientific, but also the political, economic, and value-based dimensions of the debate. I draw on ideas of co-production and boundary work to analyse both the debate and the MTSG's response to an associated crisis of legitimacy, and to provide insights into the science-policy interface in conservation.
Effect of serum on ganglioside uptake and choleragen responsiveness of transformed mouse fibroblasts.

NCTC 2071 cells, transformed mouse fibro- blasts, did not respond to choleragen when grown in chemi- cally defined medium. When grown in medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, however, the cells accumulated cyclic AMP upon exposure to the toxin. Gangliosides isolated from the fetal calf serum were as effective as whole serum in inducing choleragen responsiveness in the cells. The putative choleragen receptor, the monosialo- ganglioside GMl, could not be detected by chemical analysis in cells exposed to serum. 3H-Labeled GMl was detected in these cells, however, following sequential exposure to galactose oxidase and sodium borotritide. Thus, uptake of minute amounts of GMl from serum by these cells sensitized them to choleragen.
Scaling of dislocation-based strain-gradient plasticity

Abstract By taking into account the dislocations that are geometrically necessary for producing a curvature or twist of the atomic lattice in crystals, Gao et al. recently developed a theory of strain-gradient plasticity on the micrometer scale and showed that it agrees relatively well with the tests of hardness, torsion and bending of copper on the micrometer scale. This paper subjects this theory to an asymptotic scaling analysis. It is shown that the small-size asymptotic limit of this theory exhibits (1) an unusually strong size effect in which the corresponding nominal stresses in geometrically similar structures of different sizes D vary as D−5/2, and (2) an asymptotic approach to a load-deflection diagram whose tangent stiffness gradually increases, starting with an infinitely small initial stiffness at infinitely small stress. Although this peculiar small-size asymptotic behavior might not be attainable within the practical applicability range of a continuum theory, it renders questionable any efforts to construct approximations of an asymptotic matching character, with a two-sided asymptotic support, which have previously been proven effective for quasibrittle materials such as concrete, rock, ice and fiber composites. A possible simple modification of the existing theory with respect to the small-size asymptotic properties is suggested. However, the questions of experimental justification of such a modification and its compatibility with the dislocation theory will require further study. The small-size asymptotic properties of other strain gradient theories of plasticity have not been analyzed, except for those of the previous Fleck-Hutchinson theory, which have been found reasonable.
Multilevel Medium-Frequency Link Inverter for Utility Scale Photovoltaic Integration

A multilevel topology with medium-frequency ac link for medium-voltage grid integration of utility photovoltaic (PV) plants is discussed in this paper. A megawatt-scale PV plant is divided into many zones, each comprising of two series-connected arrays. Each zone employs a medium-frequency transformer with three secondaries, which interface with the three phases of the medium voltage grid. An insulated-gate bipolar transistor full-bridge inverter feeds the MF transformer. The voltages at the transformer secondaries are then converted to three-phase line frequency ac by three full-bridge ac-ac converters. Second line frequency harmonic power does not appear in the dc bus, thereby reducing the dc capacitor size. Cascading several such cells, a high-quality multilevel medium-voltage output is generated. A new control method is proposed for the cascaded multilevel converter during partial shading while minimizing the switch ratings. The proposed topology eliminates the need for line frequency transformer isolation and reduces the dc bus capacitor size, while improving the power factor and energy yield. This paper presents the analysis, design example, and operation of a 10-MW utility PV system with experimental results on a scaled-down laboratory prototype.
Pole-residue formulation for transient simulation of high-frequency interconnects using householder LS curve-fitting techniques

As digital circuits approach the GHz range, and as the need for high performance wireless devices increases, new simulation tools which accurately characterize high frequency interconnects are needed. In this paper, a new macromodeling algorithm for time domain simulation of interconnects is presented. The algorithm incorporates Householder LS curve-fitting techniques. The approach generates a universal macromodeling tool that enables simulation of interconnects in a modified version of simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (SPICE). This results in a method that conveniently incorporates accurate EM models of interconnects or experimental data into a circuit simulator. The time domain simulation results using this new tool are compared with results from other simulators.
New additions to the spider fauna of Kansas discovered near black-tailed prairie dog towns in shortgrass prairie

Abstract A one-month pitfall trap survey in early summer of 2000 in the vicinity of prairie dog towns in the shortgrass prairie of western Kansas revealed the presence of seven species of spiders not previously recorded in Kansas. These species (Xysticus robinsoni, Castianeira alteranda, Schizocosa mimula, Cesonia sincera, Drassyllus mumai, Gnaphosa clara, and Steatoda albomaculata) occur predominantly in arid habitats in the southwestern United States. The discovery of seven new state records during this brief survey emphasizes the need for further field work in the shortgrass prairie biome.
Stroke: Support for IV tPA in ischaemic stroke in elderly people

In Europe, use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in patients older than 80 years is discouraged because these patients have been excluded from certain past clinical trials. A new retrospective, observational study shows that tPA can substantially improve functional outcome after ischaemic stroke in patients aged 80–89 years.
Molecular characterization of the t(2;5) (p23; q35) translocation in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (Ki-1) and Hodgkin's disease

The precise cellular origin and the pathogenetic mechanism(s) leading to the neoplastic transformation of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and the Reed-Sternberg cell of Hodgkin9s disease (HD) remains largely uncertain. Classical cytogenetic analysis has shown a unique translocation involving bands 2p23 and 5q35 bands in a variable number of ALCLs. It has been recently shown that the nucleophosmin/B23 (NPM) gene (5q35) and a novel anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK; 2p23) are the fused genes of t(2;5). To investigate the presence and the precise frequency of NPM-ALK gene products among ALCL and HD cases, a large and well-characterized panel of ALCL (n = 49) and HD (n = 72) cases was studied using multiple strategies including reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Southern blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Overall, 6 (3 T and 3 null) of 49 ALCL and 3 (2 nodular sclerosis and 1 mixed cellularity) of 72 HD showed the presence of NPM-ALK transcripts by RT-PCR. NPM-ALK gene rearrangements were detected in all RT-PCR, NPM-ALK-positive ALCL by Southern blot analysis. Furthermore, in all the available cases we were able to show the presence of ALK-related protein using a specific polyclonal antiserum recognizing the cytoplasmic domain of ALK by immunohistochemistry. Our data show that NPM-ALK gene transcripts are identified in a subpopulation of ALCL, almost exclusively in T or null cell in origin, and in rare cases of HD. These findings show that some HD may be closely related to ALCL, giving us new insights on the pathogenesis and possibly biologic evolution of HD.
Low Power Compensation of Thermal Drift in Hybrid Silicon and Lithium Niobate Ring Resonators

We present active compensation of thermal drift of hybrid silicon and lithium niobate ring resonances. A capacitive geometry and low thermal sensitivity results in 17 °C temperature compensation using tuning power at the sub-nanowatt level.
Yield Ratios, K α K β , L α L β , L α L γ , and L α L l , for X Rays Produced by Protons of 1.0 to 3.7 MeV

$\frac{K\ensuremath{\alpha}}{K\ensuremath{\beta}}$ x-ray yield ratios have been determined for eleven elements, Ti, V, Fe, Ni, Cu, Ge, Rb, Zr, Ag, Sn, and Sb, when bombarded with protons of 1.00, 2.25, and 3.00 MeV. Excitation functions of $\frac{K\ensuremath{\alpha}}{K\ensuremath{\beta}}$ ratios for Ni, Ge, and Ag were also measured from 1.00 to 3.70 MeV in 100-keV steps, and these ratios were found to be constant with proton energy. For the ten elements Ce, Sm, Dy, Tm, W, Au, Pb, Bi, Th, and U, the yield ratios $\frac{L\ensuremath{\alpha}}{L\ensuremath{\beta}}$, $\frac{L\ensuremath{\alpha}}{L\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, and $\frac{L\ensuremath{\alpha}}{Ll}$ were determined for proton bombarding energies of 1.00, 2.25, and 3.00 MeV. Excitation functions for these same ratios were measured for Sm, W, and Th for proton energies between 1.00 and 3.70 MeV in 100-keV steps. While the $\frac{L\ensuremath{\alpha}}{L\ensuremath{\beta}}$ and $\frac{L\ensuremath{\alpha}}{L\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ ratios varied significantly with proton energy, the $\frac{L\ensuremath{\alpha}}{Ll}$ ratio was found to be constant as a function of proton energy. Additionally, the energy of the centroid of the peak corresponding to the $L\ensuremath{\alpha},L\ensuremath{\beta}$ and $L\ensuremath{\gamma}$ x-ray transitions was measured as a function of proton energy for Sm, W, and Th. The $L\ensuremath{\beta}$ and $L\ensuremath{\gamma}$ centroid energies changed appreciably with proton energy, while the $L\ensuremath{\alpha}$ centroid energy remained constant. The experimental yield ratios and centroid energies are compared to plane-wave-Born- and binary-encounter-approximation predictions.
Surveillance of two imported vector-borne diseases in Wenzhou,Zhejiang province,China

ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence of imported vector-borne diseases including dengue and malaria in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of imported infectious diseases.Methods The epidemic situation of dengue and malaria from 2004 to 2012 was subjected to epidemiological analysis, and the surveillance data of dengue and malaria were collected and analyzed.ResultsA total of 11 cases of imported dengue were reported from 2004 to 2012 in Wenzhou, including 4 male cases and 7 female cases. Of all cases, 72.73% were imported from Bangladesh and Singapore, and 81.82% occurred from June to November. The Breteau indices from 2010 to 2012 were 14.65, 18.43, and 16.98, respectively, and the index was the highest in June. A total of 322 cases of malaria were reported from 2004 to 2012 in Wenzhou, accounting for 0.20% of 157 500 patients with three types of fever who underwent blood test. These cases included 242 cases of vivax malaria, 71 cases of falciparum malaria, and 9 cases of mixed infection. Among them, 315 cases were imported, 34.29% from other countries and 65.71% from other regions in China.ConclusionImported dengue and malaria occurs in Wenzhou, and there are risk factors for local outbreak. Monitoring should be strengthened and specific control measures should be taken to prevent the outbreak of imported vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
Ptosis and pseudoptosis and blepharoplasty.

Examination and operative management of patients with ptosis who undergo blepharoplasty is discussed in detail. Management of patients with pseudoptosis and postoperative ptosis is also considered.
Towards Attribute-Centric Access Control: an ABAC versus RBAC argument

Recent developments in attribute-based access control have fueled the conventional debate regarding the pros and cons of Attributes-based access control ABAC versus Role-based access control RBAC. However, existing arguments have been primarily focused on the complexity analysis of the two models instead of their comprehensive need analysis. On the contrary, the success and evolution of RBAC as a de-facto access control model is based on the thorough need analysis of using roles as a primary decision factor for controlling access. Analogously, we need to consider the application areas for comparing the use of role-based and attribute-based approach. In this regard, our work aims to bridge the gap between the RBAC and the ABAC proponents by convincing the RBAC supporters of the effectiveness of ABAC. We identify various inherent traits of RBAC which have eventually become its limitations in addressing future access control needs for providing flexible, fine-grained, multifactor, and anonymous authorization in dynamically changing and context sensitive environments. These limitations are usually addressed either through extended RBAC models or ABAC model. We analyze the two approaches with respect to their effectiveness in overcoming the identified limitations and draw the conclusion that the attribute-centric approach is the ultimate future of access control. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adult age differences in subcortical myelin content are consistent with protracted myelination and unrelated to diffusion tensor imaging indices.

Abstract Post mortem studies suggest protracted myelination of subcortical white matter into the middle age followed by gradual decline in the late adulthood. To date, however, establishing the proposed inverted-U pattern of age-myelin association proved difficult, as the most common method of investigating white matter, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), usually reveals only linear associations between DTI indices and age among healthy adults. Here we use a novel method of estimating Myelin Water Fraction (MWF) based on modeling the short spin-spin (T2) relaxation component from multi-echo T2 relaxation imaging data and assess subcortical myelin content within six white matter tracts in a sample of healthy adults (N=61, age 18–84 years). Myelin content evidenced a quadratic relationship with age, in accord with the pattern observed postmortem studies. In contrast, DTI-derived indices that are frequently cited as proxies for myelination, fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD), exhibited linear or null relationships with age. Furthermore, the magnitude of age differences in MWF varied across the white matter tracts. Myelin content estimated by MWF was unrelated to FA and correlated with RD only in the splenium. These findings are consistent with the notion that myelination continues throughout the young adulthood into the middle age. The results demonstrate that single-tensor DTI cannot serve as a source of specific proxies for myelination of white matter tracts.
Dual pH with Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance Testing in the Evaluation of Subjective Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Symptoms

ObjectivesMinimal data exist to define the use of contemporary dual pH with multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) probes integrating both pharyngeal acid and impedance sensors to evaluate laryn...
Induction of gut regulatory CD39+ T cells by teriflunomide protects against EAE.

Objective: To determine whether as an orally delivered treatment, teriflunomide, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, could affect gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) immune responses functionally. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were treated orally with teriflunomide and flow cytometric analysis of immune GALT cells performed ex vivo, and adoptive transfer experiments were used to test the protective effects of GALT regulatory T (Treg) cells. Results: Teriflunomide reduced the percentages of antigen-presenting cells of Peyer patches when compared to controls. Conversely, a significant increase of the relative frequency of CD39 + Treg cells was observed. In vivo, the protective effect of GALT-derived teriflunomide-induced CD39 + Treg cells was established by adoptive transfer into recipient experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice. Conclusions: Our results identify specific GALT-derived CD39 + Treg cells as a mechanism of action that may contribute to the efficacy of teriflunomide during CNS inflammatory demyelination and as an oral therapeutic in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
High-efficiency 20 watt S/C-band power amplifier MMIC

The design and performance of a two-stage MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) power amplifier that has established new benchmarks for power output, bandwidth, and efficiency are reported. The amplifier produces 22 W+or-1.4 dB from 3.0 to 6.0 GHz, with a maximum power output of 29 W, a minimum of 15 W, an associated power gain of 10 to 13.5 dB, and a power-added efficiency of 23% to 35%. The results rival the best narrowband results reported using multiple discrete MESFET cells in a hybrid MIC internally matched format. This excellent performance can be attributed to an accurate device model, a comprehensive design methodology, a robust matching circuit topology, and a high-yield/high-performance power MMIC processes. >
Facilitating resilient rural-to-urban sustainable agriculture and rural communities

ABSTRACTThis article contributes to efforts to validate a common set of parameters and principles of sustainable agriculture. Comparisons between alternative forms of sustainable agriculture and rural-to-urban community resilience are investigated. Conclusions are drawn between multiple sustainable/alternative agriculture systems and evaluated. A set of common baseline parameters and principles is proposed as a method of evolving a common structural framework for strengthening sustainability of agriculture and rural contexts. Concepts of rural-to-urban community sustainability are proposed, supporting sustainable agriculture contexts as rural and urban. In the twenty-first century, agriculture is becoming more diversified and less typified as a rural occupation. Urban agriculture is expanding as the need for fresh, affordable, accessible agriculture produce increases in urban areas. Evidence supports symbiotic relationships between sustainable agriculture and rural/urban communities, although some claim t...
The Post-Apollo and Space Shuttle Era

This chapter examines the next time period after the Space Race—Post-Apollo Through the Space Shuttle program. At the conclusion of the Space Race, attention began to focus on the use of orbiting space stations and scientific research for an examination of a long-term presence in space. The Soviet Union and NASA were now interested in coordination in some space endeavors. Beyond the concept of space stations, the US was focused on the next space vehicle design, the Space Shuttle. The design, cost issues, and politics of this technological achievement are examined.
Abridged geriatric assessment is a better predictor of overall survival than the Karnofsky Performance Scale and Physical Performance Test in elderly patients with cancer

Abstract Objectives Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a complex and interdisciplinary approach to evaluate the health status of elderly patients. The Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and Physical Performance Test (PPT) are less time-consuming tools that measure functional status. This study was designed to assess and compare abridged geriatric assessment (GA), KPS and PPT as predictive tools of mortality in elderly patients with cancer. Materials and Methods This prospective interventional study included all individuals aged >70years who were diagnosed with cancer during the study period. Subjects were interviewed directly using a procedure that included a clinical test and a questionnaire composed of the KPS, PPT and abridged GCA. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint. The log rank test was used to compare survival curves, and Cox's regression model (forward procedure) was used for multivariate survival analysis. Results One hundred patients were included in this study. Abridged GA was the only tool found to predict mortality [median OS for unfit patients (at least two impairments) 467days vs 1030days for fit patients; p =0.04]. Patients defined as fit by mean PPT score (>20) had worse median OS (560 vs 721days); however, this difference was not significant ( p =0.488 on log rank). Although median OS did not differ significantly between patients with low (≤80) and high (>80) KPS scores (467 and 795days, respectively; p =0.09), survival curves diverged after nearly 120days of follow-up. Visual and hearing impairments were the only components of abridged GA of prognostic value. Conclusion Neither KPS nor PPT were shown to predict mortality in elderly patients with cancer whereas abridged GA was predictive. This study suggests a possible role for visual and hearing assessment as screening for patients requiring CGA.
Efficient Viral Transduction of Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cells Using HIV-1 Gag-Pol Cross Packaged Simian Immunodeficiency Viral Backbone.

Abstract Lentiviral vectors have been shown to infect non-dividing cells, including hematopoietic stem cell [HSC], and HIV lentiviral vector has been studied extensively in preclinical models. However low HIV lentiviral vector transduction efficiency compared to retroviral vectors, is seen in murine HSC, hampering transplantation and long-term expression of transgene in the recipients. Furthermore, concerns remain regarding the safety of HIV based vectors. Simian Immunodeficiency Viral [SIV] vectors could be safer since the parent virus does not cause disease in humans. However, to model this approach has been difficult because native SIV vectors do not transduce murine cells. We have generated a bicistronic SIV lentiviral SIN vector, containing MGMT and firefly luciferase genes linked by a self-cleavage FMDV 2A sequence. The SIV backbone was kindly provided by Dr. Donald Kohn (University of Southern California). The transgenes are controlled by the MND promoter, which has been shown to express well in murine hematopoietic stem cells. The vector was generated by cross-packaging SIV RNA with HIV-1 ΔR8.91 packaging plasmid and VSVG pseudotyped envelope (Ref. Retrovirology 2005, 2:55). Unconcentrated viruses had an average titer of 1E+06 iu/ml, which was similar to HIV-1 lentiviral vectors. In vitro, HIV-1 cross-packaged SIV-mnd-MGMT-2A-Luc vector was able to transduce both human and murine cell lines with no reduction of expression for 10 weeks. In addition, this cross-packaged SIV vector was also able to transduce primary murine bone marrow cells from Balb/C mice with low MOI of 0.5 to 1. Transduced primary murine bone marrow cells maintained transgene expression during a 4 week culture. To analyze in vivo expression, Balb/C bone marrow cells were transduced for 48 hrs in cytokines with the HIV-1 packaged SIV vector and transplanted into irradiated recipients. We used bioluminescent imaging (BLI) to monitor the transgene expression and the dynamic engraftment of transduced murine bone marrow cells. At MOI of 0.5 or 5, transduction efficiencies in murine progenitor cells were 24.4% and 46.7% respectively by PCR of transgene from CFU colonies. Bioluminescent imaging indicated similar engraftment patterns of transduced bone marrow cells by HIV-1 lentiviral vector or cross-packaged SIV lentiviral vector, as early as day 5. Consistent BLI signals indicated sustained expression of transgene in SIV vector transduced bone marrow cells beyond 30 days. With this study, cross-packaged SIV SIN vector could be used as a potential gene transfer vector in both preclinical murine studies and perhaps in clinical trials.
Modulation of Protein Fragmentation Through Carbamylation of Primary Amines.

We evaluate the impact of carbamylation of the primary amines of the side-chains of Lys and the N-termini on the fragmentation of intact protein ions and the chromatographic properties of a mixture of E. coli ribosomal proteins. The fragmentation patterns of the six unmodified and carbamylated proteins obtained by higher energy collision dissociation (HCD) and ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) were compared. Carbamylation significantly reduced the total number of protons retained by the protein owing to the conversion of basic primary amines to non-basic carbamates. Carbamylation caused a significant negative impact on fragmentation of the protein by HCD (i.e., reduced sequence coverage and fewer diagnostic fragment ions) consistent with the mobile proton model, which correlates peptide fragmentation with charge distribution and the opportunity for charge-directed pathways. In addition, fragmentation was enhanced near the N- and C-termini upon HCD of carbamylated proteins. For LCMS/MS analysis of E. coli ribosomal proteins, the retention times increased by 16 min on average upon carbamylation, an outcome attributed to the increased hydrophobicity of the proteins after carbamylation. As noted for both the six model proteins and the ribosomal proteins, carbamylation had relatively little impact on the distribution or types of fragment ions product by UVPD, supporting the proposition that the mechanism of UVPD for intact proteins does not reflect the mobile proton model.
A retrospective cohort study of adverse events in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery

This study’s objective was to identify adverse events following common orthopaedic procedures, and to estimate the incidence rates and risks of these events and their associations with age, sex, and comorbidities. This retrospective cohort study manually reviewed and extracted electronic medical data on the incidence and predictors of adverse events that occurred within 90 days of the 50 most frequent orthopaedic surgeries at an academic hospital in 2010. We also extracted demographic data, baseline comorbidities, and duration of follow-up (≤90 days). Patients were scored on the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI). We estimated incidence rates and risks for all events and associations using regression methods. Prolonged pain 42-days post-surgery was treated as a separate outcome. We included 1,552 patients; average age was 53.4 years, and 51.7% were female. A total of 1,148 adverse events were identified in 729 patients. The incidence rate of all adverse events was 10 events per 1,000 person-days at risk; 47% of all patients experienced at least one adverse event within 90 days. The most frequent events were prolonged pain (31% of all adverse events) and persistent swelling (7%). We found positive associations between both comorbidity scores and the incidence rate and 90-day risk of all adverse events, excluding pain, adjusting for age and sex (neither of which was associated with adverse events); the association was stronger for the FCI than for the CCI. For total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the incidence rate of all adverse events, excluding pain, was positively associated with both comorbidity scores and age; the 90-day risk was positively associate with the FCI score and male sex. The prevalence of prolonged pain at 42 days was greater in patients with higher FCI scores; for THA and TKA only, pain prevalence was greater in those with higher FCI scores and in men. Adverse events are frequent following common orthopaedic procedures. The incidence is greatest for patients with more functional comorbidities. For THA and TKA procedures, being male and being older are also associated with a greater incidence of adverse events.
KAUTILYA ON THE SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY OF ACCOUNTING, ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN AND THE ROLE OF ETHICS IN ANCIENT INDIA

Kautilya, a 4th century B.C.E. economist, recognized the importance of accounting methods in economic enterprises. He realized that a proper measurement of economic performance was absolutely essential for efficient allocation of resources, which was considered an important source of economic development. He viewed philosophy and political science as separate disciplines but considered accounting an integral part of economics. He specified a very broad scope for accounting and considered explanation and prediction as its proper objectives. Kautilya developed bookkeeping rules to record and classify economic data, emphasized the critical role of independent periodic audits and proposed the establishment of two important but separate offices - the Treasurer and Comptroller-Auditor, to increase accountability, specialization, and above all to reduce the scope for conflicts of interest. He also linked the successful enforcement of rules and regulations to their clarity, consistency and completeness. Kautilya ...
oxLDL induces endothelial cell proliferation via Rho/ROCK/Akt/p27kip1 signaling: opposite effects of oxLDL and cholesterol loading.

Oxidized modifications of LDL (oxLDL) play a key role in the development of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. However, the underlying mechanisms of oxLDL-mediated cellular behavior are n...
Approximation of The Constrained Joint Spectral Radius via Algebraic Lifting

This paper studies the constrained switching (linear) system which is a discrete-time switched linear system whose switching sequences are constrained by a deterministic finite automaton. The stability of a constrained switching system is characterized by its constrained joint spectral radius that is known to be difficult to compute or approximate. Using the semi-tensor product of matrices, the matrix-form expression of a constrained switching system is shown to be equivalent to that of a lifted arbitrary switching system. Then the constrained joint/generalized spectral radius of a constrained switching system is proved to be equal to the joint/generalized spectral radius of its lifted arbitrary switching system which can be approximated by off-the-shelf algorithms.
Profits and Prophets: The Religious Determination of Corporate Legitimacy

The broad and complex relationship between religion and global businesses is investigated using the theoretical lens of institutional theory and qualitative methodological techniques of cultural an...
Destruction complex dynamics: Wnt/β-catenin signaling alters Axin-GSK3β interactions in vivo

The central regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is the Axin/APC/GSK3β destruction complex (DC), which, under unstimulated conditions, targets cytoplasmic β-catenin for degradation. How Wnt activation inhibits the DC to permit β-catenin-dependent signaling remains controversial, in part because the DC and its regulation have never been observed in vivo Using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) methods, we have now analyzed the activity of the DC under near-physiological conditions in Drosophila By focusing on well-established patterns of Wnt/Wg signaling in the developing Drosophila wing, we have defined the sequence of events by which activated Wnt receptors induce a conformational change within the DC, resulting in modified Axin-GSK3β interactions that prevent β-catenin degradation. Surprisingly, the nucleus is surrounded by active DCs, which principally control the degradation of β-catenin and thereby nuclear access. These DCs are inactivated and removed upon Wnt signal transduction. These results suggest a novel mechanistic model for dynamic Wnt signal transduction in vivo.
Lower Bounds for Testing Digraph Connectivity with One-Pass Streaming Algorithms

In this note, we show that three graph properties—strong connectivity, acyclicity, and reachability from a vertex $s$ to all vertices—each require a working memory of $\Omega (\epsilon m)$ on a graph with $m$ edges to be determined correctly with probability greater than $(1+\epsilon)/2$ .
Reply to “A Call to Focus on Racial Domination and Oppression: A Response to ‘Racial and Ethnic Inequality in Poverty and Affluence, 1959–2015’”

The comment raises some thoughtful points but offers an approach to research on racial and ethnic differences in poverty and affluence guided by ideology rather than testable theory. Such an approach, with its presumptions and internal contradictions, ultimately does not offer a path to greater insight on these issues.