cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation Of Metal Nitrides Via Laser Induced Photolytic Decomposition Of Metal-Amides

Irradiation of {l_brace}[(CH{sub 3}){sub 3}Si]{sub 2}N{r_brace}{sub 3}Y, Zr[N(C{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 2}]{sub 4}, and Nb[N(C{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 2}]{sub 4} by the 1.064 {micro}m line of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser results in the decomposition of Zr[N(C{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 2}]{sub 4} and Nb[N(C{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 2}]{sub 4} while {l_brace}[(CH{sub 3}){sub 3}Si]{sub 2}N{r_brace}{sub 3}Y remains unaffected. The decomposition is photolytic and is accompanied by a visible emission tracing the path of the incident beam. The decomposition products form corresponding carbide/nitrides on pyrolysis in vacuum and nitrides on pyrolysis in an ammonia atmosphere. The spectroscopic investigation of the visible emission, and the pyrolysis of the decomposition products to metal nitrides is described.
Recent Advances at Stanford in the Application of Conformal Mapping to Hydrodynamics

The present paper forms an expository report of researches carried out recently at Stanford University by a group of mathematicians interested in free boundary problems of hydrodynamics. The discussion centers about a unified technique in geometric function theory. The steady, irrotational motion of an incompressible, inviscid fluid in the z-plane is governed by an analytic complex potential t(z) =4+ii,V. For a fluid of unit density, the pressure p is given by Bernoulli's equation
Optimization of the Solubility of HIV-1-Neutralizing Antibody 10E8 through Somatic Variation and Structure-Based Design

ABSTRACT Extraordinary antibodies capable of near pan-neutralization of HIV-1 have been identified. One of the broadest is antibody 10E8, which recognizes the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV-1 envelope and neutralizes >95% of circulating HIV-1 strains. If delivered passively, 10E8 might serve to prevent or treat HIV-1 infection. Antibody 10E8, however, is markedly less soluble than other antibodies. Here, we describe the use of both structural biology and somatic variation to develop optimized versions of 10E8 with increased solubility. From the structure of 10E8, we identified a prominent hydrophobic patch; reversion of four hydrophobic residues in this patch to their hydrophilic germ line counterparts resulted in an ∼10-fold decrease in turbidity. We also used somatic variants of 10E8, identified previously by next-generation sequencing, to optimize heavy and light chains; this process yielded several improved variants. Of these, variant 10E8v4 with 26 changes versus the parent 10E8 was the most soluble, with a paratope we showed crystallographically to be virtually identical to that of 10E8, a potency on a panel of 200 HIV-1 isolates also similar to that of 10E8, and a half-life in rhesus macaques of ∼10 days. An anomaly in 10E8v4 size exclusion chromatography that appeared to be related to conformational isomerization was resolved by engineering an interchain disulfide. Thus, by combining a structure-based approach with natural variation in potency and solubility from the 10E8 lineage, we successfully created variants of 10E8 which retained the potency and extraordinary neutralization breadth of the parent 10E8 but with substantially increased solubility. IMPORTANCE Antibody 10E8 could be used to prevent HIV-1 infection, if manufactured and delivered economically. It suffers, however, from issues of solubility, which impede manufacturing. We hypothesized that the physical characteristic of 10E8 could be improved through rational design, without compromising breadth and potency. We used structural biology to identify hydrophobic patches on 10E8, which did not appear to be involved in 10E8 function. Reversion of hydrophobic residues in these patches to their hydrophilic germ line counterparts increased solubility. Next, clues from somatic variants of 10E8, identified by next-generation sequencing, were incorporated. A combination of structure-based design and somatic variant optimization led to 10E8v4, with substantially improved solubility and similar potency compared to the parent 10E8. The cocrystal structure of antibody 10E8v4 with its HIV-1 epitope was highly similar to that with the parent 10E8, despite 26 alterations in sequence and substantially improved solubility. Antibody 10E8v4 may be suitable for manufacturing.
Improving Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric care workflow

: Experience and available research suggest that Developmental Behavioral Pediatric (DBP) practice is both complex and variable. Variability involves multiple aspects of DBP care, from activities before the visit (e.g. triage and collecting information) to activities during (e.g. history taking and testing) and after the visit (e.g. care coordination). Together these activities represent workflow, a series of clinical events by which health care is delivered. In complex systems, workflow variation often suggests the presence of inefficiency or inconsistent quality. Given the current environment of increasing health care costs and an increasing focus on quality, DBP practitioners must be mindful of these concepts for the field of DBP to remain viable. In order to characterize current DBP practice and identify common challenges, a workshop was developed with the ultimate goal of identifying potential solutions for improving both quality and efficiency. This paper summarizes the workshop findings and proposes future directions to foster improvements in DBP workflow.
'Gifted with a Second-Sight': Professor Derrick Bell the Teacher

In this chapter, I illustrate how Professor Derrick Bell used his constitutional law course to teach not only legal doctrine, but also life lessons. In the words of the renowned African American scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, Professor Bell was “gifted with a second-sight”—and he also gifted his students with that “second-sight.” I show the evolution in Professor Bell’s thought, particularly his experimentation with different teaching methods and how these reflected his own evolving life philosophies. I also use direct quotes and examples (with permission) from students I supervised in Professor Bell’s classes — many of whom I keep in touch with. These anecdotes convey the richness of the interactions and relationships that Professor Bell had with his students — which was central to his radical humanist pedagogy.This chapter is organized as a series of short narratives, reflecting my stories of Professor Bell and of the lessons he taught in his class. First, I briefly describe my relationship with Professor Bell, as a New York University (NYU) law student and then as the 10th and final Derrick Bell Fellow — my first job out of law school. Next, I discuss Professor Bell’s courses in constitutional law, the subject he taught for the last two decades of his career. After briefly covering the structure of the courses and the participatory method he used, I discuss four aspects of Professor Bell’s pedagogy and illustrate these through anecdotes about his teaching: 1. His approach to constitutional law (“The Constitution is like roach power.”); 2. His view on Critical Race Theory and critical perspectives more generally (“It just means telling the truth …”); 3. His incorporation of life lessons into the classroom (“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”); and 4. His efforts to “humanize the law school experience.” I conclude with a poignant, personal story about Professor Bell’s last days — one that illustrates his dedication to teaching and to his students until the very end.
3Drefine: an interactive web server for efficient protein structure refinement

3Drefine is an interactive web server for consistent and computationally efficient protein structure refinement with the capability to perform web-based statistical and visual analysis. The 3Drefine refinement protocol utilizes iterative optimization of hydrogen bonding network combined with atomic-level energy minimization on the optimized model using a composite physics and knowledge-based force fields for efficient protein structure refinement. The method has been extensively evaluated on blind CASP experiments as well as on large-scale and diverse benchmark datasets and exhibits consistent improvement over the initial structure in both global and local structural quality measures. The 3Drefine web server allows for convenient protein structure refinement through a text or file input submission, email notification, provided example submission and is freely available without any registration requirement. The server also provides comprehensive analysis of submissions through various energy and statistical feedback and interactive visualization of multiple refined models through the JSmol applet that is equipped with numerous protein model analysis tools. The web server has been extensively tested and used by many users. As a result, the 3Drefine web server conveniently provides a useful tool easily accessible to the community. The 3Drefine web server has been made publicly available at the URL: http://sysbio.rnet.missouri.edu/3Drefine/.
Research and application of biosensors

Biosensor,composed of molecular recognition element and signal converter,is a detection and analysis instrument.It has many characters: sensitivity,accuracy,convenient for use and so on.This paper reviews the development of biosensor in recent years and focuses on the researches on enzyme sensor,immunosensor,DNA sensor and microbial cell biosensor,and the applications in medical,environmental monitoring,food safety,and military.It shows that biosensor has good foreground.
Role of immune activation in progression to AIDS.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose is to review recent insights into the impact of HIV-associated immune activation on AIDS and non-AIDS morbidity and mortality.Recent findingsImmune activation has long been recognized as an important consequence of untreated HIV infection and predictor of AIDS progressio
What is the Metacontingency? Deconstructing Claims of Emergence and Cultural-Level Selection

Skinner (1981) proposed that selection by consequences, such as is represented by natural selection on a biological level and operant selection on the level of individual behaviors, plays a significant role in the change dynamics and adaptation of systems in the physical world. He suggested that there might be a third level of selection by consequences—cultural-level selection—that might complement the other two selection processes he explicated. The metacontingency was proposed as a process that might describe such a cultural-level of selection. In the present article, two competing definitions (a three-term definition and a five-term definition) of the metacontingency are compared and contrasted, and several criticisms of the metacontingency are considered. Proponents of the metacontingency have argued that it is an emergent process, possessing characteristics that differ substantively from phenomena at lower-levels of analysis, while critics of the metacontingency have argued that there are more parsimonious theories that account for everything that the metacontingency is intended to address. Theorists have claimed four particular areas of emergence for the metacontingency, each of which is examined through comparison of metacontingent selection with a similar, albeit behavioral-level phenomenon—the production of a complex product via a chain of behaviors performed by a single individual—concluding that the claims of emergence do not appear to be substantiated.
Mechanisms of stochastic focusing and defocusing in biological reaction networks: Insight from accurate Chemical Master Equation (ACME) solutions

Stochasticity plays important roles in regulation of biochemical reaction networks when the copy numbers of molecular species are small. Studies based on Stochastic Simulation Algorithm (SSA) has shown that a basic reaction system can display stochastic focusing (SF) by increasing the sensitivity of the network as a result of the signal noise. Although SSA has been widely used to study stochastic networks, it is ineffective in examining rare events and this becomes a significant issue when the tails of probability distributions are relevant as is the case of SF. Here we use the ACME method to solve the exact solution of the discrete Chemical Master Equations and to study a network where SF was reported. We showed that the level of SF depends on the degree of the fluctuations of signal molecule. We discovered that signaling noise under certain conditions in the same reaction network can lead to a decrease in the system sensitivities, thus the network can experience stochastic defocusing. These results highlight the fundamental role of stochasticity in biological reaction networks and the need for exact computation of probability landscape of the molecules in the system.
A randomized controlled trial of a homeopathic syrup in the treatment of cold symptoms in young children.

Abstract Background There is little evidence that the decongestant, antihistamine, or cough suppressant medications commonly used to treat cold symptoms in preschool children are effective. One option for treating cold symptoms in young children is with homeopathy. This study was conducted to determine if a homeopathic syrup was effective in treating cold symptoms in preschool children. Methods Children 2–5 years old diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection were randomized to receive a commercial homeopathic cold syrup or placebo. Parents administered the study medication as needed for 3 days. The primary outcome was change in symptoms one hour after each dose. Parents also assessed the severity of each of the symptoms of runny nose, cough, congestion and sneezing at baseline and twice daily for 3 days, using a 4-point rating scale. A composite cold score was calculated by combining the values for each of the four symptoms. Results Among 261 eligible participants, data on 957 doses of study medication in 154 children were analyzed. There was no significant difference in improvement one hour after the dose for any symptom between the two groups. Analysis of twice daily data on the severity of cold symptoms compared to baseline values found that improvements in sneezing, cough and the composite cold score were significantly greater at both the first and second assessments among those receiving the cold syrup compared to placebo recipients. Conclusion The homeopathic syrup appeared to be effective in reducing the severity of cold symptoms in the first day after beginning treatment.
Pulmonary artery dissection following balloon valvuloplasty in a dog with pulmonic stenosis

A 3-month-old, 9.9 kg, male pit bull cross was referred for evaluation of collapse. A left basilar systolic heart murmur graded V/VI and a grade IV/VI right basilar systolic heart murmur were ausculted. Echocardiography showed severe pulmonic stenosis characterized by annular hypoplasia, leaflet thickening, and leaflet fusion. After 1 month of atenolol therapy, a pulmonic valve balloon valvuloplasty procedure was performed, and the intra-operative right ventricular pressure was reduced by 43%. Echocardiography, performed the following day, showed apparent rupture of a pulmonary valve leaflet and a membranous structure within the pulmonary artery consistent with a dissecting membrane. Short-term follow-up has shown no apparent progression of the pulmonary artery dissection and the patient remains free of clinical signs.
Minority Founders of Community-Based Organizations in a Neighborhood of Concentrated Disadvantage: Motivations, Barriers, and Strategies

ABSTRACTThis study examines the significance of organizational founding and leadership by focusing on the minority founders of nine community-based–human service organizations in a neighborhood of concentrated disadvantage. It discusses founders’ motivations, barriers encountered, and strategies employed in establishing and operating such organizations. The paper draws on both institutional and resource dependence perspectives by paying particular attention to how minority founders seek to establish legitimacy and secure resources, but it also makes an important contribution to these perspectives by noting the distinct challenges and advantages for minority founders operating in a racialized context. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Understanding 16S ribosomal RNA conformational changes during 30S subunit assembly

The purpose of this course of study is to understand the conformational changes that occur in 16S rRNA during ribosomal assembly. The prokaryotic ribosome comprises two asymmetric subunits, the large (50S) and small (30S) subunits. The 30S subunit contains 16S rRNA and the small ribosomal proteins (S1-S21). Functional 30S ribosomal subunits can be reconstituted in vitro from purified components. Reconstitution performed at low temperatures results in a stall in 30S subunit assembly. This stall produces a Reconstitution Intermediate (RI) which sediments at 21S and contains 16S rRNA and a subset of small subunit proteins. In order for RI to be converted into functional 30S subunits, a temperature shift is first required. This shift produces a particle, RI*, with the same composition as RI, yet a dramatically different sedimentation coefficient (26S). RI* can then go on to bind the remaining small subunit proteins, ultimately resulting in functional 30S subunit formation. To better understand the nature of these assembly transitions and thus small subunit assembly, changes in reactivity of each nucleotide during the course of assembly was monitored. The changes in reactivity of nucleotides in 16S rRNA between each of the assembly species (16S, RI, RI* and 30S) were analyzed in the context of the 30S subunit structure and previous biochemical studies to better understand the relationship between ribosomal assembly and function.
Coping With Sexual Orientation–Related Minority Stress

Little is known about how adolescents cope with minority stressors related to sexual orientation. This study examined 245 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adult's (ages 21-25) retrospective reports of coping in response to LGB minority stress during adolescence (ages 13-19) to test the reliability and validity of a measure of minority stress coping. Further, the study examined associations between LGB minority stress coping and young adult psychosocial adjustment and high school attainment. Validation and reliability was found for three minority stress coping strategies: LGB-specific strategies (e.g., involvement with LGBT organizations), alternative-seeking strategies (e.g., finding new friends), and cognitive strategies (e.g., imagining a better future). LGB-specific strategies were associated with better psychosocial adjustment and greater likelihood of high school attainment in young adulthood, whereas alternative-seeking and cognitive-based strategies were associated with poorer adjustment and less likelihood of high school attainment.
Adjustable correlated colour temperature for surgical lighting

A surgical luminaire containing two types of phosphor-converted LEDs was employed to illuminate a large midline incision in a 90 kg pig. The PC-LEDs were proportionally blended to create four spect...
Single institutional analysis of pancreatic cancer survival trends based on BMI.

234Background: Body mass index (BMI) has been reported to determine risk for pancreatic cancer in addition to outcome, as those with higher BMI have decreased survival. Since May 2011, therapy for ...
Digital check forgery attacks on client check truncation systems

In this paper, we present a digital check forgery attack on check processing systems used in online banking that results in check fraud. Such an attack is facilitated by multiple factors: the use of digital images to perform check transactions, advances in image processing technologies, the use of untrusted client-side devices and software, and the modalities of deposit. We note that digital check forgery attacks offer better chances of success in committing fraud when compared with conventional check forgery attacks. We discuss an instance of this attack and find several leading banks vulnerable to digital check forgery.
Sustained Results in Long-Term Follow-Up of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for Distal Femur Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans (JOCD)

Introduction. Concern regarding ability of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) to correct for the bone and cartilage pathology of knee juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) exists. The purpose of this study was to determine long-term, patient-based outcomes of ACI treatment of JOCD in young patients. Authors hypothesized long-term outcomes are comparable to reported mid-term outcomes. Methods. A single institution, longitudinal cohort study design combining medical record review and outcome surveys was used. Inclusion criteria included isolated JOCD diagnosis, failed primary healing of operatively treated JOCD, ACI surgery > 5 years ago, and ≤20 years of age at time of ACI. Results. 10/26 eligible patients (38.5%) participated (M: F = 5:5, age at ACI: 18.3 ± 2.5 y, current age: 30.8 ± 5.1 y, and current BMI: 24.6 ± 2.1). Follow-up was 12.0 ± 4.5 y. Lesion size at ACI was 9.1 ± 1.9 cm2. Femoral condyle location was medial = 6 and lateral = 4. All required treatment at some point for knee symptoms after ACI. During the past one year, four patients required treatment. Patient reported outcome scores at 12 years following ACI were IKDC score: 73.0 ± 3.6, KOOS scores including pain [88.7 ± 2.3], symptoms [78.2 ± 4.6], activity of daily living [94.7 ± 1.9], function, sports, and recreational activities [73.0 ± 5.3], and quality of life [57.5 ± 5.8], and Modified Cincinnati Knee Rating score was 77.9 ± 4.1. A moderate to good relationship was found between KOOS symptoms and BMI and lesion size. Function, sports, and recreational activities of the KOOS were greater in participants who had ≤1 lesion prior to ACI procedures (p = 0.044). Conclusion. This study of ACI treatment of knee JOCD patients confirms sustained, long-term results. Number of lesions prior to ACI procedure influenced status of function, sports, and recreational activities.
Understanding Social Structural Barriers and Facilitators to Behavioral Change: The Case of Cisgender Women Diagnosed with HIV

In the USA, to receive a diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is to be expected to embark on a lifelong course of medical, lifestyle, and interpersonal change. To preserve their health, people with HIV are expected to take daily medication, remain in medical care for HIV and get screened and treated for other co-occurring health problems, to develop and/or maintain a healthy lifestyle and to cope with the ongoing stigma and social isolation associated with the diagnosis. In particular, cisgender women who are at the margins of society face social, medical, financial, and structural barriers that render them uniquely vulnerable to contracting HIV, and those same barriers impede diagnosis, beginning care, and staying in care. Most interventions to ensure that PLHIV maintain cART adherence and remain in medical care are biomedically focused and therefore centered on individual-level, behavioral-based interventions. Yet, there are numerous structural barriers that interfere with individual behaviors and compound individual suffering. This chapter serves as an introduction to HIV/AIDS epidemiology, treatment, and policy for people living with HIV/AIDS with a specific focus on cisgender women. In it we utilize a constrained choice approach to systematically examine how decisions made and actions taken at the levels of family, workplace, community, and governmental policy can create barriers to initiating and maintaining cART adherence for PLHIV generally and cWLHIV specifically, and how these barriers can be successfully remedied through local, state, and federal policies.
Reviving thinking in a speaking course: A critical-thinking model for public speaking

This essay overviews a semester-long course activity and framework for the basic public-speaking course. Using Paul and Elder's critical-thinking framework, the author discusses ways to address som...
Going to the dogs

At heart, With dogs at the edge of life, by Colin Dayan, is an evocative and frequently poetic work about creaturely experience and the refuse of contemporary existence. It is a haunting and deeply...
Conservation of N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid-mediated systemic acquired resistance in crop plants

SUMMARY Signal propagation and the coordination of whole-organism responses in plants rely heavily on small molecules. Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is one such process in which long-distance signaling activates immune responses in uninfected tissue as a way to limit the spread of a primary, localized infection. Recently, N-hydroxy pipecolic acid (NHP) was discovered and shown to coordinate SAR in Arabidopsis. Here, we provide metabolic and biochemical evidence that NHP is conserved across the plant kingdom and demonstrate a role for NHP in mediating SAR responses in tomato and pepper. We reconstituted the NHP biosynthetic pathway in planta and show that transient expression of two NHP biosynthetic genes in tomato induces enhanced resistance to a bacterial pathogen in distal tissue. Our results suggest engineering strategies to induce NHP-mediated SAR are a promising route to improve broad-spectrum pathogen resistance in crops. IN BRIEF Engineering NHP production is a promising strategy to enhance disease resistance in crops. HIGHLIGHTS Arabidopsis N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid (NHP) pathway is conserved across the plant kingdom Application of NHP to tomato and pepper plants induces a robust SAR response Metabolic engineering of the Arabidopsis NHP pathway in Solanum lycopersicum leads to enhanced NHP production and defense priming Genetic engineering for enhanced NHP production is a promising strategy to protect crop plants from multiple pathogens
Updates on Hematologic Malignancies in the Older Adult: Focus on Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and Multiple Myeloma

Hematologic malignancies are common and difficult to treat in older adults. In this review, we focus on recent updates in diseases with several novel agents relevant to older adults—acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and multiple myeloma (MM). In AML, CPX-351 offers a new induction chemotherapy for secondary AML that prolongs survival, and venetoclax and IDH inhibitors are efficacious and well tolerated. In CLL, chemoimmunotherapy is being replaced by monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors that are more effective and better tolerated. In MM, new immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies have expanded treatment options for older patients. The introduction of novel agents has dramatically shifted the landscape of therapeutic options for older adults with hematologic malignancies. Clinical trials in older adults are needed to expand treatment options for these patients.
How do morphological sharpness measures relate to puncture performance in viperid snake fangs

It makes intuitive sense that you need a sharp tool to puncture through a tough material. The typical approach to evaluating sharpness in biological puncturing tools is to treat morphological measurements as a proxy for puncture ability. However, there are multiple approaches to measuring sharpness, and the relative influence of morphology on function remains unclear. Our goal is to determine what aspects of tip morphology have the greatest impact on puncture ability, using ( a) viper fangs and ( b) engineered punches to isolate the effects of different sharpness measures. Our results indicate that tip included angle is the strongest predictor of puncture performance in both viper fangs and engineered punches. For puncture tools with small included angles, sharpness index (based on the radius of curvature) also affects puncture ability. Finally, we found that punches serve as good predictors of fang performance at small angles and sharpness index values.
Electro-Forward Osmosis

The impact of ion migration induced by an electrical field on water flux in a forward osmosis (FO) process was examined using a thin-film composite (TFC) membrane, held between two cation exchange membranes. An applied fixed current of 100 mA (1.7 mA cm-2) was sustained by the proton flux through the TFC-BW membrane using a feed of 34 mM NaCl, and a 257 mM NaCl draw solution. Protons generated at the anode were transported through the cation exchange membrane and into the draw solution, lowering the pH of the draw solution. Additional proton transport through the TFC-BW membrane also lowered the pH of the feed solution. The localized accumulation of the protons on the draw side of the TFC-BW membrane resulted in high concentration polarization modulus of 1.41 × 105, which enhanced the water flux into the draw solution (5.56 LMH at 100 mA), compared to the control (1.10 LMH with no current). These results using this electro-forward osmosis (EFO) process demonstrated that enhanced water flux into the draw solution could be achieved using ion accumulation induced by an electrical field. The EFO system could be used for FO applications where a limited use of draw solute is necessary.
Entre bande dessinée et jeu vidéo: Le Secret de la Licorne d’Hergé

Rather than referring to an analytical framework focusing on the production of derivative products expanding the Adventures of Tintin, the author prefers to take into account the transmediality of the work brought out with the release of the film and the video game The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. This is a case of transmediality with a source-work and, as such, among specific stakes, one should take into account theories of adaptation, especially considering that when adapting such a canonical work, thought is given to the issue of fidelity because of the public’s expectations. For instance, the video game, following to that effect the film’s design, proposes an adaptation of the “ligne claire”. Moreover, the game, conceived in much of its modules, as a horizontal scroll acts as a reminder of the horizontality of the strips in the pages of the Adventures of Tintin. Finally, the author shows that the use of cut scenes in the video game is meant, among other functions, to situate the game in a transmedial franchise.
Grid Partition: an Efficient Greedy Approach for Outdoor Camera IoT Deployments in 2.5D Terrain

In this paper, we introduce Distributed Grid Partition, a distributed greedy deployment algorithm for outdoor IoT camera networks. The proposed algorithm optimizes visual network coverage over 2.5D terrain. The main idea behind Distributed Grid Partition is that each deployment node tries to find the best vantage point in its neighborhood that will maximize the network’s overall visual coverage. It does so by using information from its immediate neighbors. In order to achieve a favorable cost-performance trade-off, Distributed Grid Partition uses height as a proxy for visual coverage, or fitness, avoiding expensive fitness computations. In addition, each node’s contribution to network fitness is determined without knowledge of the overall network using the concept of "Wonderful Life Utility". Our experimental results show that Distributed Grid Partition results in deployments with superior coverage-cost performance when compared to other distributed optimization algorithms as well as a centralized greedy set cover heuristic.
Cryo-EM structure of the inhibited (10S) form of myosin II.

Myosin II is the motor protein that enables muscle cells to contract and nonmuscle cells to move and change shape1. The molecule has two identical heads attached to an elongated tail, and can exist in two conformations: 10S and 6S, named for their sedimentation coefficients2,3. The 6S conformation has an extended tail and assembles into polymeric filaments, which pull on actin filaments to generate force and motion. In 10S myosin, the tail is folded into three segments and the heads bend back and interact with each other and the tail3–7, creating a compact conformation in which ATPase activity, actin activation and filament assembly are all highly inhibited7,8. This switched-off structure appears to function as a key energy-conserving storage molecule in muscle and nonmuscle cells9–12, which can be activated to form functional filaments as needed13—but the mechanism of its inhibition is not understood. Here we have solved the structure of smooth muscle 10S myosin by cryo-electron microscopy with sufficient resolution to enable improved understanding of the function of the head and tail regions of the molecule and of the key intramolecular contacts that cause inhibition. Our results suggest an atomic model for the off state of myosin II, for its activation and unfolding by phosphorylation, and for understanding the clustering of disease-causing mutations near sites of intramolecular interaction. High-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of smooth muscle myosin II in the inhibited state enables increased understanding of the functions of the head and tail regions in regulation of myosin activity and the pathological mechanisms of disease mutations.
Modular Electrochemical Synthesis Using a Redox Reservoir Paired with Independent Half-Reactions

Summary Electrochemical synthesis of high-value chemicals using renewable electricity could lead to sustainability advantages over conventional chemical manufacturing. The tight coupling between paired anodic and cathodic reactions in conventional electrochemical processes, however, constrains the products and their efficiencies. Here, we demonstrate a strategy to achieve modular electrochemical synthesis (ModES) of different chemicals by decoupling and pairing the oxidative and reductive half-reactions with a heterogeneous redox reservoir (RR). Specifically, sodium nickel hexacyanoferrate (NaNiHCF) can serve as a robust and reversible RR that enables the modular production of several strong oxidants, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium persulfate (Na2S2O8) or active chlorine, in separate RR-coupled electrochemical processes. The system’s excellent performance and operational stability is demonstrated by continuous operation over 100 cycles (∼36 h) to produce H2O2 and Na2S2O8 with a high voltage efficiency. The concept presented here highlights the prospects for using RRs to enable efficient, modular, and on-demand electrochemical synthesis of valuable chemicals.
Mechanism and role of astrogliosis in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated pain One Sentence Summary: Neuron-to-astrocyte Wnt5a signaling-activated astrogliosis is essential for the development of pathological pain induced by HIV-1 gp120

Pathological pain is the most common neurological disorder in people living with HIV-1/AIDS (PLWHA), and rationale-based effective treatment is not available. Multiple neuropathologies develop in the pain transmission pathways in of HIV patients, consistent with their nociceptive dysfunction1,2. One of the prominent neuropathologies associating with the manifestation of pain in HIV patients is astrogliosis (a.k.a. reactive astrocytes) in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH)1, the spinal center for the transmission of pain signals from peripheral organs to the brain. However, the pathogenic role and the activation mechanism of astrogliosis are unclear. Here, we show that the astrogliosis is crucial for the pain pathogenesis induced by HIV-1 gp120, a key etiologically relevant protein2, and that a neuron-to-astrocyte Wnt5a signal controls the astrogliosis. We found that ablation of astrogliosis blocked the development of gp120-induced mechanical hyperalgesia, and concomitantly the expression of neural circuit polarization (NCP) in the SDH. In addition, we demonstrated that conditional knockout (CKO) of either Wnt5a in neurons or its receptor ROR2 in astrocytes abolished not only gp120-induced astrogliosis but also the hyperalgesia and the NCP. Furthermore, we found that the astrogliosis promoted expression of the NCP and the hyperalgesia via IL-1β regulated by a Wnt5a-ROR2-MMP2 axis. Our results elucidate an important role and a novel mechanism of astrogliosis in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated pain. Targeting reactive astrocytes by manipulating the mechanistic processes identified here may lead to the development of effective therapy to treat the pain syndrome in HIV patients.
Considerations of the biosynthesis and molecular diversity of tolyporphins

Tolyporphins A–R constitute fundamentally distinct members of the tetrapyrrole pigments of life family. The 18 members present diversity at multiple levels including the chromophore (dioxobacteriochlorin, oxochlorin, porphyrin); composition of the pyrroline substituents (hydroxy, acetoxy, or one of four C-glycosides); and stereochemical configuration of the pyrroline substituents. Eleven of the 18 tolyporphins contain at least one C-glycoside; each C-glycoside has a β,D configuration and lacks a 6′-hydroxy group: 3′,6′-dideoxygalactose (common name abequose), 2′-O-acetyl-3′,6′-dideoxygalactose (2′-O-acetylabequose), 6′-deoxygalactose (D-fucose), or 6′-deoxygulose (antiarose). Rare are such glycosides outside of tolyporphins: (2′-O-acetyl)abequose is reported only in the glycan polymer attached to the cell wall of two strains of Gram-negative bacteria, and antiarose is reported in one bacterial natural product and ∼50 plant cardiac glycosides. Eight of the 18 tolyporphins are bis(C-glycosides), an exceptionally uncommon motif in natural products. The biosynthetic pathways to the family of tolyporphins remain unknown. Regardless of such diversity, each tolyporphin member shares a common pattern of perimeter methyl substituents that coheres with derivation from uroporphyrinogen III, the universal precursor in the established pathway to native tetrapyrroles. Here, transformations required to convert uroporphyrinogen III to all 18 tolyporphins are considered in the context of plausible biosynthetic pathways. Heme d1, perhaps the closest relative (yet still a distant cousin) of tolyporphins, and for which key biosynthetic transformations remain undeciphered, provides a point of reference. Taken together, the work provides the foundation for bioinformatic searching for enzymes associated with the biosynthesis and diversification of tolyporphins.
Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer, Systemic Inflammation, and Cancer Recurrence

Purpose/Objective(s) Post-radiotherapy lymphopenia is common. Higher neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a measure of systemic inflammation, has been associated with breast cancer recurrence after radiotherapy (RT) induced lymphopenia in patients with triple negative disease, a highly immunogenic subtype. However, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes are predictive of treatment response in all subtypes. The goal of this study was to determine if local breast RT is associated with an increased NLR, and if systemic inflammation is associated with breast cancer recurrence. Materials/Methods We prospectively followed 177 women with Stage I-III breast cancer who were assessed with complete blood cell counts with differential before RT, the last week of RT, 3-6 weeks and 1-year post-RT. NLR was calculated at each time point. 35% of patients received 39.9 Gy in 15 fractions (fxs) with an 8.1 Gy simultaneous integrated boost while 65% received 50 Gy in 25 fxs with a 10-16 Gy boost. 44% of patients received supraclavicular RT. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were performed to determine changes in NLR over time and to compare NLRs among patients who did and did not recur. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictors of increased NLR at each time point, and generalized estimating equation models were performed to account for the correlated measures for recurrence free survival (RFS). Results 53% of subjects were non-Hispanic White (NHW) and 44% were African American. 35% had Stage IIB-IIIC disease. 53%, 25%, and 22% of tumors were ER+/Her2-, Her2+, and triple negative, respectively. Median NLR significantly increased the last week of RT (3.45 range 0.78-42.50) relative to baseline (1.95 range 0.34-11.29; P Conclusion Our findings indicate a sustained impact of local breast RT on the systemic inflammatory response, particularly in NHW patients with triple negative tumors who receive conventional rather than hypofractionated RT. In this study with a low number of recurrences, NLR did not predict for RFS in our diverse population. However, the persistent inflammatory response detected in the blood during and long after local breast RT may contribute to long-term side effects which occur months to years after treatment.
Reconstruction of fatigue crack growth in AA2024-T3 and AA2198-T8 fastened lap joints

Abstract This paper presents a comparative study on the fatigue behavior of a typical third generation Aluminum–Lithium alloy, AA2198-T8, to that of a traditional aerospace aluminum–copper alloy, AA2024-T3 with a focus on developing a methodology for reconstructing the crack growth history. Fatigue testing was conducted using a lap joint configuration designed to induce large amounts of secondary bending for the purpose of accentuating any unique behaviors in these two material systems. Fatigue fracture surface morphology was examined in order to determine the effect of alloying and loading direction relative to plate rolling direction on fatigue crack growth behavior. Crack initiation sites occurred in the vicinity of the fastener hole, at multiple sites along the faying surface, yielding crack tunneling in all specimens, prior to the ductile catastrophic fracture. The fracture surface morphologies in the two alloys were markedly different: the AA2024-T3 exhibited substantial meandering fracture surface, with localized fatigue crack progressing along multiple directions and at different rates. The AA2198-T8 alloy exhibited more uniform but shallower fatigue striations, with numerous micro and macro interlaminar cracks. Crack growth rate ( da / dN ) measurements along the width, thickness and the striation ridge lines indicated that the latter provides the most reliable results in terms of estimating fatigue crack initiation cycle, crack initiation site, and crack growth rate.
Preliminary experience with 15(S)15-methyl prostaglandin F2α for midtrimester abortion

Abstract Twenty-six women received intramuscular or intra-amniotic 15(S)15-methyl prostaglandin F 2α to induce midtrimester abortion. The median initial injection-abortion interval was 10 hours and 25 minutes. The advantages of intramuscular analogue are somnolence and reduced discomfort during labor. Disadvantages include severe gastrointestinal toxicity in the majority of patients and symptoms of acute respiratory distress in two patients.
A Systematic Study of M81

We describe a series of observational studies of M81 which are presently underway. We hope that these studies will allow improved understanding of this one, simple, density-wave spiral galaxy.
Audience Type and Receptivity Affect Male–Female Interactions in Siamese Fighting Fish

The study of communication in a network setting has gained increasing popularity in recent years. While audience effects on aggressive interactions have been studied extensively, male–female interactions have often been overlooked. In addition, little is known about how reproductive status affects the nature of audience effects. Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, are a popular subject for communication network studies, but male–female interactions have not been explored in this setting. In this study, pairs of male and female Betta were presented with a male, female or no audience to determine whether the presence of an audience alters the behaviour of the interactants. Within these three audience types, there were four reproductive status conditions with receptivity indicated by nest presence for males and reproductive barring for females. It was predicted that male–female interactions would be affected by the presence of an audience, especially when both interactants are receptive as has been found in male–male interactions in this species. The results suggest that presence of an audience and reproductive status act in combination to influence male–female interactions, but only in interactant-directed behaviours. Not all behaviours were equally affected by these factors. For example, while tail beats to the other interact were greatest when a female audience was present and both the interactants were receptive, this was not true for gill flaring. This study is among the first investigations into audience effects on male–female interactions including the first in Betta and suggests that courtship as well as aggression should be explored in a network setting.
Disoriented chiral condensates in heavy ion collisions

Abstract A disoriented chiral condensate is a region in space in which the chiral order parameter points in a direction in isospin space which is different from that favored by the true vacuum. In this talk I review some recent work on a proposal by Rajagopal and Wilczek on how relativistic nuclear collisions can generate such domains.
Do Inulin Oligomers Adopt a Regular Helical Form in Solution

Abstract The 13C NMR spectra of inulin oligomers in D2O with degree of polymerization (DP) of 3 through 9, along with two other inulin oligomer mixtures of average DP = 17 and DP = 31 were recorded. Significant variations in the chemical shift of some fructofuranose carbon signals indicates that unlike glucans, simple helical structures are not the predominant conformation for inulin oligomers—at least up to DP = 9. Models of the DP = 5 oligomer show that it should prefer a single helical conformation which however, would not be accessible to longer DP oligomers due to severe steric interactions.
Traduction et politique langagière au Japon : de l’« ouverture au monde » à la « mondialisation »

En cette epoque dite de « mondialisation », plusieurs pays voient leur(s) langue(s) nationale(s) menacee(s) par les langues de prestige. Cependant, le Japon presente un exemple de pays dont la langue-culture arrive a eloigner cette menace. Cet article propose d’observer, a travers l’histoire des reformes langagieres, le developpement de la langue japonaise ecrite, ainsi que le role que joue la traduction dans ce processus.
Fatal Case of Tension Pneumothorax and Subcutaneous Emphysema After Open Surgical Tracheostomy

Tracheostomy tube placement remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in the intensive care unit. Its utilization permits ventilation in patients with severe compromise of the airway patency as well as facilitation of liberation of mechanical ventilation in patients with prolonged ventilatory needs. Despite its frequent use, the tracheostomy procedure, whether performed surgically or percutaneously, is not free of severe, and, in some cases devastating, complications. In fact, severe adverse events, such as pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, hemorrhage, infections, and, occasionally, death, have been described. We report a case of a surgical tracheostomy complicated with fatal tension pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema secondary to an iatrogenic posterior tracheal wall laceration. This complication is barely seen in usual practice, and its recognition and aggressive therapy may avoid fatal outcomes.