cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Phellogen Cells and their Structural Characteristics in Susceptibility and Resistance to Excoriation in Immature and Mature Potato Tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) Periderm

Potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) periderm maturation is an important physiological process that directly affects the susceptibility and development of resistance to costly excoriation (skinning-type wounds) at harvest. The objectives of this research were to identify the specific types of cells and the cellular changes associated with susceptibility and resistance to tuber excoriation in immature and mature tubers respectively. Epifluorescent microscopic examination of immature tuber periderm (phellem, phellogen and phelloderm cells) from several genetically diverse cultivars has shown that the cellular damage resulting from excoriation occurs within the phellogen (cork cambium), a meristematic layer of cells that gives rise to neighbouring phellem and phelloderm cells. Tuber excoriation is the result of the fracture of radial phellogen cell walls linking the skin (phellem) to the phelloderm. As the tuber periderm matures, phellogen cells become inactive and the radial walls of these cells become more resistant to fracture; resistance to excoriation develops. Ultrastructural studies of immature tuber periderm show that radial walls of active phellogen cells are thin and fragile. During periderm maturation, both radial and tangential phellogen cell walls thicken as they strengthen and become resistant to fracture, thereby providing resistance to excoriation. These results refute previous theories of the physiological changes responsible for the onset of resistance to tuber skinning injury. The combined results establish a paradigm whereby the thickening and strengthening of tuber phellogen cell walls upon periderm maturation are the determinant for resistance to tuber excoriation.
Terahertz time-resolved reflection spectroscopy for electrical conductivity measurements in the femtosecond laser-induced ablation dynamics

Optical-pump, terahertz-probe reflection spectroscopy was investigated for the study of femtosecond laser-induced ablation dynamics. The technique can directly measure the quasi-DC complex electrical conductivities of laser-heated solids using non-contact terahertz probe pulses.
Opportunities for parallelism when implementing algorithms in VHDL — a case study — Shift-Or

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are becoming pervasive in High Performance Computing systems, making it possible for developers to implement algorithms (or at least portions of algorithms) directly in hardware using Hardware Description Languages. The Shift-Or algorithm for exact string matching was implemented using VHDL on a XILINX FPGA. This paper discusses some of the opportunities for performance improvement offered by VHDL that were used when implementing the Shift-Or algorithm.
The Significance of The chriSTian-JewiSh Dialogue anD holocauST STuDieS for caTholic eThicS

AbstractWhen I survey the vast field of literature on social ethics, including that from progressive Christian scholars, I find little, if any, recognition that the positive development in the understanding of the Christian-Jewish relationship these past forty years have any relevance for shaping Christian perspectives on social ethics today. In this presentation I share some reflections on various areas of study within the context of the Christian-Jewish dialogue, especially the experience of the Holocaust, which in my judgment do make an important difference in the way we present Christian thinking on social ethical questions. The positive impact of the Hebrew Scriptures is one important area as is the enhanced understanding of law in the Hebrew Scriptures and in Judaism generally. Also of significance is the growing body of literature linking Jesus positively to the Jewish tradition of his time, including in terms of his moral teaching. The same holds true for new studies on Paul's positive relationshi...
A comparison between aquatic birds of lakes and coastal rivers in Florida

Aquatic birds were counted on five Gulf coast Florida rivers to determine if these river systems supported densities, biomass and species richness similar to those found on Florida lakes. Forty-two species were identified and for the species that were found on both Florida streams and lakes similar densities and biomass were encountered. As with Florida lakes, stream bird abundance and species richness were higher in winter months than in summer months, a consequence of migratory bird populations. Total bird abundance, biomass per unit of phosphorus, and species richness per unit of area were similar to data collected on Florida lakes. Thus, Florida rivers are capable of supplying sufficient resources to maintain bird densities, biomass and species richness values similar to lakes of equal size and nutrient concentrations and are therefore important habitats for aquatic bird populations. An examination of individual habitat characteristics indicates that water depth was inversely correlated and submersed aquatic vegetation was positively correlated with bird density, biomass and species richness within the river systems. While both habitat characteristics are important they are also inversely related making it difficult to separate the individual significance of each characteristic.
The stability and dynamic behavior of a continuous crystallizer with a fines trap

Working equations are developed for the operation of a continuous crystallizer with a fines trap. A linearized stability analysis reveals that proper operation of the fines trap can stabilize the crystallizer at large crystal product sizes that would otherwise lead to instability. Dynamic studies for the full nonlinear equations are carried out numerically, and stable limit cycles are exhibited around unstable equilibrium points.
The new media landscape: how technology is changing marketing communications

Summary form only given, as follows. The media landscape is vastly different today than it was just a few years ago. The Internet, wireless, entertainment marketing, and product placements are just a few of the many new media being used to more effectively communicate with audiences. The use of traditional media is declining due to changes in buying behavior, the fragmentation of audiences, shifting media patterns and the emergence of new technologies such as TiVo, iPods, and satellite radio. Marketers are finding that the best way to send the right message to the right person at the right time has become more challenging than ever and they must rethink their media strategies, adopting numerous nontraditional media. This session will examine the trends and changes in the media environment and offer insights into how marketers must respond to them. The focus will be on new technologies and their impact on marketing communications strategies. Because of the rapidly changing technological environment, marketers have been forced to change their media strategies.
Epoxides, hydroperoxides and peroxides in air pollution.

Abstract A major source of air pollutants in urban areas is automobile exhaust. Olefins constitute a substantial proportion of the chemicals emitted by this source. Olefins undergo autoxidation and photochemical oxidation in air to hydroperoxides, peroxides, epoxides and other oxygenated aliphatics, frequently of low molecular weight. Long-term carcinogenicity assays of these compounds in mice and rats by various routes of administration have shown that some of these compounds are carcinogenic. Hence, their detection and elimination as air pollutants should be vigorously pursued. This report describes the current status of air pollution research on these compounds, their carcinogenicity, structure-activity relationships and areas which deserve attention in future research. Oxidation products of aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants are also important and will be described.
40Ar/39Ar and paleomagnetic constraints on the evolution of Volcán de Santa María, Guatemala

40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating of 15 lava flows indicates that Volcan de Santa Maria grew episodically to 8 km 3 in size at an average rate of 0.12 km 3 /ka between 103 and 35 ka. The composite cone grew in four phases, including two periods of intense activity at ca. 72 ka and ca. 35 ka, during which 1.5 km 3 and 3 km 3 of basaltic to andesitic magmas were erupted. There is no evidence of further volcanism after ca. 35 ka until the great dacitic eruption in 1902. The average eruptive rate is 0.16 km 3 /ka, if products of the 1902 eruption and subsequent Santiaguito dome are included. Whereas the Mono Lake excursion is not clearly recorded at Volcan de Santa Maria, as had been inferred from earlier studies, virtual geomagnetic poles (VGPs) of the 35 ka cone-forming lavas exhibit high-amplitude paleosecular variation that may correspond in time to the Mono Lake excursion. Two older packages of lava flows are each associated with a distinctive cluster of VGPs, which supports the 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age model and the conclusion that cone building was episodic. During the final 60% of cone growth, lavas evolved from basaltic to andesitic (51%–57% SiO 2 ) with time, but with a regression to slightly less evolved compositions during the onset of the final cone-building phase. Despite the relatively small volume of Santa Maria, cone-growth processes and geochemical evolution through time mirror observations at other currently active volcanoes along the Central American volcanic arc, and may prove useful as an analogy in assessing long-term hazards posed by other predominantly basaltic-andesitic composite volcanoes.
Overview of Affinity Tags for Protein Purification

Addition of an affinity tag is a useful method for differentiating recombinant proteins expressed in bacterial and eukaryotic expression systems from the background of total cellular proteins, as well as for detecting protein-protein interactions. This overview describes the historical basis for the development of affinity tags, affinity tags that are commonly used today, how to choose an appropriate affinity tag for a particular purpose, and several recently developed affinity tag technologies that may prove useful in the near future.
Searching for Causality of Knocking Out Txnip: Is Txnip Missing in Action?

See related article, pages 1328–1338 Thioredoxin is an essential protein present in all known biological systems responsible for mediating the major pathway through which electrons are transferred from NADP(H) to protein disulfide bonds: NADP(H)+R-S-S-R′→NADP+R-SH+HS-R′.1,2 Thus, the discovery that thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) bound to and inhibited thioredoxin–NADPH–dependent reduction of protein disulfides3 predicted that Txnip would both counter thioredoxin-mediated protection from oxidative stress4–10 and have pleiotropic physiologic influence on process dependent on proteins containing disulfide determinants of structure/function. Elegant quantitative trait loci positional cloning identifying Txnip as the gene responsible for the hyperlipidemia associated with the murine Hyplip1 locus clearly supported this prediction.11 In this issue of Circulation Research , Yoshioka et al12 describe how gene-targeted disruption of Txnip influences the response of mice to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) (ie, Txnip knockout mice displayed improved cardiac function 4 weeks after TAC but decreased cardiac function after 8 weeks). The findings that Txnip deletion caused no change in thioredoxin enzyme activity, whereas cardiac glucose uptake in Txnip knockout mice was increased led the authors to conclude that Txnip does not simply act via regulating redox state, but …
SPEECH AND COMMUNICATION IN LAW AND PHILOSOPHY

What does “speech” mean in constitutional First Amendment law and in ordinary language and the philosophy of language? Under what circumstances does intentional action count as speech? Can communication be unintentional? And what follows (in law) from the fact that almost any action can be made expressive?This essay addresses these and related questions.
STILL WALKING THE TIGHTROPE

This issue of the Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race is dedicated to the living memory and many contributions of distinguished historian John Hope Franklin. Writing in his autobiography Mirror to America, Franklin said that:
Anamnestic Responses of Mice following Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

The anamnestic response is the property of the immune system that makes vaccine development possible. Although the development of a vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important global priority, there are many gaps in our understanding of how immunological memory develops following M. tuberculosis infection or after BCG vaccination. In experiments designed to compare the anamnestic response of susceptible and resistant mouse strains, major histocompatibility complex-matched memory-immune C3.SW-H2 b /SnJ and C57BL/6 mice both demonstrated better control of bacterial replication following reinfection with M. tuberculosis than control mice. Nevertheless, this memory response did not appear to have any long-term protective effect for either mouse strain. A greater understanding of the immunological factors that govern the maintenance of immunological memory following exposure to M. tuberculosis will be required to develop an effective vaccine.
Endotoxin leads to rapid subcellular re-localization of hepatic RXRα: A novel mechanism for reduced hepatic gene expression in inflammation

Background Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of animals down-regulates the expression of hepatic genes involved in a broad variety of physiological processes, collectively known as the negative hepatic acute phase response (APR). Retinoid X receptor α (RXRα), the most highly expressed RXR isoform in liver, plays a central role in regulating bile acid, cholesterol, fatty acid, steroid and xenobiotic metabolism and homeostasis. Many of the genes regulated by RXRα are repressed during the negative hepatic APR, although the underlying mechanism is not known. We hypothesized that inflammation-induced alteration of the subcellular location of RXRα was a common mechanism underlying the negative hepatic APR.
Identification of Strategies Used for Solving Items on the Apparel Spatial Visualization Test

To obtain a clearer understanding of spatial visualization ability, research needs to detail the information-processing demands and solution strategies used by individuals. Strategy use is integral to successful performance of spatial tasks. The purpose of this study was to identify, categorize, and verify strategies that students use to solve items on the Apparel Spatial Visualization Test (ASVT). A two-part study was conducted; in the first part, subjects reported their problem-solving processes while solving the ASVT. Analysis of subjects' reports resulted in the Use of Strategy Questionnaire (USQ) specific for the ASVT. In the second part of the study, the USQ was used to verify the strategies identified in the first part. Results concurred with previous literature that different individuals use different strategies to solve the same spatial cognitive task.
Genetics of Suicide

: Suicidal behavior, like so much else in psychiatry, tends to cluster in families. Clinical studies show that a family history of suicide is associated with a raised risk of both attempts at suicide and completed suicide. Twin studies show that monozygotic twins have a greater concordance for suicidal behavior than dizygotic twins. Adoption studies also suggest that there may be genetic factors in suicide. Most recently, molecular genetic studies report that polymorphisms of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene are associated with suicidal behavior.
DNA Polymerase ζ Introduces Multiple Mutations when Bypassing Spontaneous DNA Damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Spontaneous DNA damage can be dealt with by multiple repair/bypass pathways that have overlapping specificities. We have used a frameshift reversion assay to examine spontaneous mutations that accumulate in yeast strains defective for the high-fidelity nucleotide excision repair or recombination pathways. In contrast to the simple frameshift mutations that occur in wild-type strains, the reversion events in mutant strains are often complex in nature, with the selected frameshift mutation being accompanied by one or more base substitutions. Genetic analyses demonstrate that the complex events are dependent on the Pol zeta translesion polymerase, thus implicating the DNA damage bypass activity of low-fidelity translesion polymerases in hypermutation phenomena.
Stress Intensity of Delamination in a Sintered-Silver Interconnection

In automotive power electronics packages, conventional thermal interface materials such as greases, gels, and phase-change materials pose bottlenecks to heat removal and are also associated with reliability concerns. The industry trend is toward high thermal performance bonded interfaces for large-area attachments. However, because of coefficient of thermal expansion mismatches between materials/layers and resultant thermomechanical stresses, adhesive and cohesive fractures could occur, posing a reliability problem. These defects manifest themselves in increased thermal resistance. This research aims to investigate and improve the thermal performance and reliability of sintered-silver for power electronics packaging applications. This has been experimentally accomplished by the synthesis of large-area bonded interfaces between metalized substrates and copper base plates that have subsequently been subjected to thermal cycles. A finite element model of crack initiation and propagation in these bonded inter...
DynFluid: Predicting Time-Evolving Rating in Recommendation Systems via Fluid Dynamics

In trust-based recommendation systems, if a user is predicted to have a high rating of a product, then this product is recommended to that user for shopping potential. Therefore, rating predictions are critical for qualified recommendations. In this paper, based on the fluid dynamics theory, we propose a novel rating prediction scheme called DynFluid. The key observation is that the rating of a user depends on his/her user experience, as well as the ratings of other users. For example, users may refer to friends' ratings upon rating a product, themselves. DynFluid analogizes the rating reference among the users to the fluid flow among containers: each user is represented by a container, the rating of a user is mapped to be the fluid temperature in the corresponding container. Two user characteristics, persistency and persuasiveness, are also incorporated into DynFluid. Finally, real data-driven experiments in Epinions and Ciao validate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed DynFluid.
Live CD Cluster Performance

2 Background 2 2.1 Knoppix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2.2 Quantian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2.3 OpenMosix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.4 PIPT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2.5 MPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Emerging treatments in neurogastroenterology: eluxadoline - a new therapeutic option for diarrhea-predominant IBS.

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder worldwide. The global prevalence of IBS is estimated to be as high as 15%. For many patients, IBS is a chronic disorder which can significantly reduce quality of life. Just as important as the effects on any one individual, IBS also places a significant impact on the population as a whole with its negative effects on the health care system. Irritable bowel syndrome is categorized into one of three main categories: IBS with diarrhea, IBS with constipation, and IBS with mixed bowel habits. Patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) comprise a substantial proportion of the overall IBS population. A number of therapeutic options exist to treat the symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and fecal urgency, including non-pharmacologic therapies such as dietary changes and probiotics, or pharmacologic therapies such as loperamide and alosetron. However, many patients have persistent symptoms despite these therapies. This unmet need led to the development of eluxadoline, a mu-opioid receptor agonist/delta-opioid receptor antagonist/kappa-receptor agonist. Approved by the FDA in May 2015, this medication shows promise in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant IBS for both men and women. Purpose This monograph will briefly review the impact of IBS, discuss current treatments for IBS-D, and then focus on the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and safety of eluxadoline. Potential mechanisms related to rare events of acute pancreatitis or elevated liver tests will be discussed.
A More Holistic Approach to the Teaching of Ethics in Business Programs

The paper proposes a more holistic approach to the teaching of ethics in a business context. The scope for ethics education includes a philosophical grounding, a model for the resolution of ethical dilemmas, and a discussion of values ethics and values clarification for ethical leadership. The paper was motivated by the legislation of ethics under provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This federal legislation sets forth management and auditor responsibilities including the requirement for a Code of Conduct for publicly held companies. This author hopes to trigger best thinking of accounting educators for the better integration of ethics in a business context across courses in undergraduate and graduate business programs.
Injury to Skeletal Muscle Fibers During Contractions: Conditions of Occurrence and Prevention

Contraction-induced injury results in the degeneration and regeneration of muscle fibers. Of the three types of contractions--shortening (concentric), isometric, and lengthening (eccentric)--injury is most likely to occur and the severity of the injury is greatest during lengthening contractions. The magnitude of the injury to muscle fibers may be assessed by direct measures of cellular and ultrastructural damage; by indirect measures of changes in enzyme efflux, calcium influx, ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione, and force development; and, in human beings, by reports of muscle soreness. The sequence of events includes an initial injury that is primarily mechanical and a secondary metabolic, or biochemical, injury that peaks 1 to 3 days after the injurious contractions. The recovery from contraction-induced injury is usually complete within 30 days. Repeated exposures to protocols of lengthening contractions result in "trained" muscles that are not injured by the protocol that previously caused injury.
The Nostalgia Effect: A Field Investigation of Satisfaction Among IS/IT Professionals in India

Satisfaction is a key indicator of system success, and so it has been the subject of much Information System (IS) research. The nostalgia effect, whereby individuals feel satisfied or dissatisfied when thinking about past goal attainment or failure, has been observed to influence analysts’ decisions with respect to ongoing systems development. The Yield Shift Theory (YST) of Satisfaction explains the nostalgia effect as a function of changes in yield for an individual’s active goal set. This paper reports on an exploratory field investigation of the nostalgia effect among 105 working IS/IT professionals in India reflecting on past collaboration experiences. The study demonstrates empirically a measurable nostalgia effect, and reveals a strong association between satisfaction responses and the antecedents proposed by Yield Shift Theory.
Influence of Ink Composition on the Electrochemical Properties of Pt/C Electrocatalysts

Nanoparticle platinum on carbon black supports (Pt/high surface area carbon or Pt/HSC and Pt/Vulcan), widely used to benchmark novel electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), were characterized in rotating disk electrode (RDE) setups using multiple ink formulations. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) specific activity measured in 0.1 M HClO4 was higher by a factor of ~1.8 when Nafion ionomer was excluded from Pt/HSC inks/electrodes and substituted with trace amounts of a non-ionic surfactant for improved dispersiblity. Pt/Vulcan electrocatalysts did not exhibit this enhancement when Nafion was replaced with trace surfactant; however, eliminating both Nafion and the surfactant raised its specific and mass activity by a factor of ~1.8. The electrochemical areas for optimized inks/electrodes with and without Nafion were relatively unchanged at ~100 m2/g for Pt/HSC and ~65 m2/g for Pt/Vulcan. The higher measured activities have significant implications for established conventions regarding 'particle size effects'.
Prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis: contemporary practices in light of the past

The 20th century eugenics movement in the USA and contemporary practices involving prenatal screening (PNS), prenatal diagnosis (PND), abortion and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) share important morally relevant similarities. I summarise some features of the 20th century eugenics movement; describe the contemporary standard of care in the USA regarding PNS, PND, abortion and PGD; and demonstrate that the 'old eugenics' the contemporary standard of care share the underlying view that social resources should be invested to prevent the birth of people with certain characteristics. This comparison makes evident the difficulty of crafting moral arguments that treat some uses of PNS, PND, abortion and PGD as licit and others as illicit.
Study on the evaluation index system of risk identification for infectious diseases in school

Objective To establish the evaluation index system related the risk factors impacting the prevalence of infectious disease in school,and take early risk identification through empirical analysis to find the risk factors before the prevalence of infectious diseases. Methods To decide the preliminary framework of index system by using literature research and field survey. Using Delphi and AHP methods to establish risk identification index system for prevalence of infectious diseases in school and calculate weight of each index. In the end,questionnaire survey was used for empirical analysis. Results Twenty experts were invited in this research. The basis of judgment that experts gave to the overall index system( Ca) was 0. 88,the degree of familiarity that experts gave on the issues( Cs) was 0. 72,and the coefficient of authority that experts gave to the overall index( Cr) was 0. 80. The coefficient of coordination of experts was 0. 233( P 0. 05) in the first round,0. 754( P 0. 01) in the second round,and 0. 504( P 0. 01) in the third round. The last certain index system consisted of three first-level indexes,ten second-level indexes and forty nine third-level indexes. Conclusion The index system is satisfactory and the index weight distribution is rational.
Lymphokine-activated killer cells/tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes therapy: efficacy, toxicity, controversies.

Interleukin-2 (T cell growth factor) stimulates growth and activity of T lymphocytes, including a subset of activated immune cells called lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. This activity has been utilized to develop a new form of anti-tumor immunotherapy. Many questions still need to be addressed and explored before this modality can be considered standard therapy
Contextualizing Consequences: A Socio-Legal Approach to Social Movement Outcomes in Professional Fields

Social movement consequences have become an increasingly important area of study, but the current literature overlooks implementation and treats law, organizations, and culture as separate areas of inquiry. This study offers a new perspective on consequences by taking a socio-legal approach that considers how law is constructed and enacted in professional fields and how legal and professional logics intersect to influence professional decision making. Drawing on ethnographic interviews, surveys, and content analysis about the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) conflict in pharmacy, I find that professional logics largely supersede legal ones to influence decision making and that organizational positioning and perceived policy affect collective goods distribution. These forces diminish the power of pro-choice and anti-abortion laws as professionals interpret, construct, and ignore the law in daily practice. The concluding discussion emphasizes the importance of considering professionals as targets of socia...
Effects of hydrocolloids and processing conditions on acid whey production with reference to Greek yogurt

Abstract Background Greek yogurt is one of the most popular products in the overall yogurt category and has gained immense popularity due to its higher nutritional values compared to traditional yogurt. Greek yogurt is defined as a strained yogurt in which yogurt is concentrated by removing acidic whey from the solid part. This process creates large volumes of acid whey as by-product that cannot be readily utilized nor disposed of easily. Scope and approach The dairy industry has been seeking a solution to the problem related to acid whey production. Here, we discuss several factors, especially hydrocolloids that have the potential to limit the quantity of acid whey in Greek yogurt production by playing a major role in the water retention capacity of yogurt products. In addition, the impact of yogurt processing conditions on acid whey production is discussed. Key findings and conclusions Hydrocolloids, though still largely unexplored, could have potential benefit of helping to minimize acid whey production if used as additives in Greek yogurt. Moreover, through the optimization of yogurt processing conditions, acid whey production could also be reduced.
Dynamic biometrics: The case for a real-time solution to the problem of access control, privacy and security

From a certain perspective, security is broken. The security authorization triangle (possession, knowledge, identity) has in some cases been reduced to a single point (knowledge) because of the limitations to possession attributable to virtualization, and because of the limitations to identity attributable to the use of static biometrics. This paper makes the case for a stronger security rights triangle—privacy, security and access control—underpinned by the resurrection of possession and identity through the use of dynamic biometrics. New technologies in mobile and cloud computing, pattern recognition and user interaction provide a potential path forward for an identity-matching ecosystem in which both privacy and security needs can be accommodated.
A method of OSNR calculation considering an incoherent coupling-noise and instability of optical filters transfer-function in ROADM cascade

A high accuracy of optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR) calculation is a key factor in optical transmission system design improvement. This assures constant maintenance of the required bit error rate (BER) in an operating communication system and serves as an important guideline for its further expansion. In various standards for OSNR calculations, coupling noise is considered as an assigned value to the transceiver equipment. An analytical method of the OSNR calculation for cascaded connections of optical cross-connects (OXC) is presented in this paper. This method is based on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendation and considers major trends of cross-talk noise estimation using the power penalty approach. OSNR calculations were performed with MathCad . The results obtained show OSNR reduction by increasing the number of OXCs and spans. Achieved results are in agreement with the results presented in the literature for OSNR coupling noise calculations in a Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (ROADMs) cascade.
Beginning with the Context: The Mind–Body Conundrum

Conceptualizing mindfulness as a whole body experience rejoins the mind and the body in a way that the western world has historically had difficulty reconciling and operationalizing. Clinical social workers, physicians, and healers in many if not all cultures recognize that our bodies can be understood as conduits or carriers of messages if we listen carefully. Consequently, this chapter looks at results of empirical study and the narratives surrounding the study of both mind and body in the United States to gain a more complete understanding of how to best intervene clinically that respects these messages.
In-Video Reuse of Discussion Threads in MOOCs

In MOOCs, both instructors and students invest substantial effort into discussion forums. However, those discussions are abandoned when instructors start a new session in session-based courses. In an observational field study through a popular online Coursera course, we evaluate an approach that directly embeds high-value past discussion threads into future lecture videos to reuse them. Survey feedback shows that this approach can be useful to a large proportion of learners. We find that instructor involvement increases learners' chance of reading the threads, reduces learners' negative reactions, but is not associated with more perceived usefulness. Learners perceive enhancing threads embedded in the middle of videos less enhancing but more explanatory compared with at the end. Embedding explanatory threads at the end is rated less distracting and more helpful to understand the video compared with in the middle, right after the related content is lectured.
Solving constraint satisfaction problems using finite state automata

In this paper, we explore the idea of representing CSPs using techniques from formal language theory. The solution set of a CSP can be expressed as a regular language; we propose the minimized deterministic finite state automaton (MDFA) recognizing this language as a canonical representation for the CSP. This representation has a number of advantages. Explicit (enumerated) constraints can be stored in lesser space than traditional techniques. Implicit constraints and networks of constraints can be composed from explicit ones by using a complete algebra of boolean operators like AND, OR, NOT, etc., applied in an arbitrary manner. Such constraints are stored in the same way as explicit constraints -- by using MDFAs. This capability allows our technique to construct networks of constraints incrementally. After constructing this representation, answering queries like satisfiability, validity, equivalence, etc., becomes trivial as this representation is canonical. Thus, MDFAs serve as a means to represent constraints as well as to reason with them. While this technique is not a panacea for solving CSPs, experiments demonstrate that it is much better than previously known techniques on certain types of problems.
In-Situ Microfluidic Study of Biphasic Nanocrystal Ligand-Exchange Reactions Using an Oscillatory Flow Reactor.

Oscillatory flow reactors provide a surface energy-driven approach for automatically screening reaction conditions and studying reaction mechanisms of biphasic nanocrystal ligand-exchange reactions. Sulfide and cysteine ligand-exchange reactions with as-synthesized CdSe quantum dots (QDs) are chosen as two model reactions. Different reaction variables including the new-ligand-to-QD ratio, the size of the particles, and the original ligand type are examined systematically. Based on the in situ-obtained UV/Vis absorption spectra during the reaction, we propose two different exchange pathways for the sulfide exchange reaction.
An integrated ultra-high-Q resonator for optical clocks, synthesizers, gyroscopes and spectroscopy

A microresonator having Q factors greater than 200 million and featuring a silicon-nitride integrated coupling waveguide is described. The device is a critical advance for new microcavity applications requiring integrated, ultra-high-Q and millimeter-scale cavities.
Detection of the Cell Cycle-Regulated Negative Feedback Phosphorylation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in Breast Carcinoma using Nanofluidic Proteomics

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation, oncogenic transformation, and drug resistance. This study examined the capability of nanofluidic proteomics to identify aberrations in the MAPK signaling cascade, monitor its drug response, and guide the rational design of intervention strategies. Specifically, the protein post-translational modification (PTM) profiles of MEK1, MEK2, and ERK1/2 were measured in breast carcinoma and breast cancer cell lines. Nanofluidic proteomics revealed hyper-phosphorylation of MAPKs in breast carcinoma and breast cancer cells treated with kinase inhibitors that interfere with cell cycle regulation, such as dinaciclib, an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases, and rigosertib, an inhibitor of polo-like kinase 1. A pMEK1 (Thr286) phosphor-isoform, which serves as a biomarker of cell cycle-regulated negative feedback phosphorylation in breast cancer cells, was detected in breast carcinoma. Inhibition of the MAPK pathway with dabrafenib, a B-Raf inhibitor, or trametinib, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, suppressed both the positively regulated phosphorylation of MAPKs and the negatively regulated phosphorylation of MEK1. Interestingly, the combinations of dabrafenib and rigosertib or trametinib and rigosertib permitted the suppression of positively regulated MAPK phosphorylation together with the promotion of negatively regulated MEK1 phosphorylation. The effectiveness of protein PTM-guided drug combinations for inhibition of the MAPK pathway remains to be experimentally tested. Via protein PTM profiling, nanofluidic proteomics provides a robust means to detect anomalies in the MAPK signaling cascade, monitor its drug response, and guide the possible design of drug combinations for MAPK pathway-focused targeting.
Type IV collagen lateral associations in the EHS tumor matrix.: Comparison with amniotic and in vitro networks

The macromolecular structural organization of the type IV collagen network in the extracellular matrix of the EHS tumor has been investigated using a stereoscopic freeze-dry Pt/C replication technique. This network, which can be specifically decorated with type IV collagen antibody, is formed in great part by the lateral joining of narrow filaments (2.7 nm average metal coated diameter) to form a complex three-dimensional irregular polygonal array of variable diameter branching strands. Globular domains, similar to the C-terminal globular domains of purified type IV dimers, can be identified in the network. In many regions of the network the filaments appear to twist around each other along the strand axis. The network is similar to that visualized in the human amnion as well as to a reconstituted network formed in vitro. These data strongly suggest that the laterally and end-domain-associated network is a widespread supramolecular architecture of type IV collagen in basement membranes.
Focal Therapy and the Index Lesion Hypothesis in Prostate Cancer

Standard whole gland radiation therapy for prostate cancer results in high cure rates but impacts quality of life. Active surveillance is an alternative but has not been widely embraced. Focal therapy represents a middle ground between these two treatment options. In this paper we will review the rationale, patient selection considerations, technical planning issues, and recent clinical data for prostate focal therapy.
The Radiographic Evaluation Of Sinonasal Tumors: An Overview

It is axiomatic that advances in head and neck imaging improve our understanding of head and neck diseases. Dramatic improvements in radiologic imaging in recent years have, as a corollary, dramatically improved our understanding of sinonasal tumors. Older techniques such as plain film radiography and multidirectional tomography poorly delineate normal anatomy and pathologic changes in the craniofacial region. Modern imaging modalities depict sinonasal tumors and their metastases in detail, yielding information that allows treatment planning to proceed rationally. The radiologic examination is commonly employed as a precise "map" for implementation of therapy, and imaging studies are essential in the follow-up evaluation for tumor residual or recurrence. This article provides an overview of the current contributions made by head and neck radiology to the understanding and clinical management of sinonasal tumors.
Letter by Dharmarajan and Dharmarajan Regarding Article, “Asymptomatic ST-Segment-Elevation ECG in Patient With Kidney Failure”

The electrocardiograms of a young male with end stage renal disease (ESRD) published by Sotananusak and Meemook1 in Circulation provide interesting reading. We reported in 1999 an unusual ECG in a 69-year-old patient with ESRD, who in fact had chest pain.2 The ECG obtained demonstrated upward displacement of PR, QRS, and ST segments in select leads. The patient had an enormously aneurysmal arteriovenous fistula in the left forearm; repeat ECG with electrodes placed away …
A possible common mechanism of action of antidepressant treatments

The response of the norepinephrine (NE) sensitive cyclic AMP generating system in slices of the rat limbic forebrain after both the acute and chronic administration of the tricyclic antidepressants desipramine (DMI) and iprindole as well as electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) was investigated. Neither the basal level of cyclic AMP nor the hormonal response to NE were altered after the administration of a single dose or short term treatment with DMI and iprindole. However, the administration of the antidepressants on a clinically more relevant time basis markedly reduced the sensitivity of the cyclic AMP generating system to NE. This change in sensitivity was not related to the levels of the drugs in brain. The response of cyclic AMP to NE was also reduced by ECT, but the onset of this action was shorter than that observed with the antidepressants. ECT also antagonized the enhanced response of cyclic AMP to NE following destruction of central adrenergic nerve terminals with 6-hydroxydopamine. It thus appears that the therapeutic action of tricyclic antidepressants could be related to postsynaptic adaptive changes in the sensitivity of the noradrenergic adenylate cyclase receptor system rather than to acute presynaptic events.
National Geoscience Faculty Survey 2016: Prevalence of systems thinking and scientific modeling learning opportunities

Scientific modeling and systems thinking (SMST) is central to the geosciences, yet few studies have documented how and to what extent undergraduate geoscience courses emphasize SMST, as well as fac...
The Association between Positive Antenatal Depression Screening and Breastfeeding Initiation and Continuation.

Objective This study was aimed to determine the association between antenatal depression and breastfeeding initiation and continuation at 6 weeks postpartum. Study Design This retrospective cohort study included all live-born deliveries after 24weeks' gestation at a single tertiary care institution between 2009 and 2014 with a documented antenatal depression screen using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). During the study period, it was recommended that routine screening occur during both the first and third trimesters. A positive screen was defined as a PHQ-9 score ≥ 10. Breastfeeding initiation and continuation until 6 weeks' postpartum were compared between women with and without a positive screen using bivariable analyses. Stepwise backward elimination regressions were used to identify whether a positive screen was independently associated with breastfeeding rates after controlling for confounders. Results Among the 2,871 women meeting inclusion criteria, 302 (10.5%) were screened positive for antenatal depression. After adjusting for confounders, there were no differences in breastfeeding initiation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52–1.16), but women with a positive antenatal depression screen were significantly less likely to continue breastfeeding at 6 weeks' postpartum (aOR= 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48–0.96). Conclusion A positive antenatal depression, screened in the first or third trimester, is a significant risk factor for early breastfeeding cessation.
Effects of Supplemental Vitamin D on Bone Health Outcomes in Women and Men in the VITamin D and OmegA‐3 TriaL (VITAL)

Although supplemental vitamin D is used to promote bone health in the general population, data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been inconsistent. We determined whether daily, vitamin D3 supplementation improves bone mineral density (BMD) and/or structure. VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT of supplemental vitamin D3 (2000 IU/d) and/or omega-3 fatty acids (1 g/d) in 25,871 adults nationwide. This ancillary study included a subcohort of 771 participants (men ≥50 and women ≥55 years; not taking bone active medications) evaluated at baseline and at 2-year follow-up (89% retention). Total 25(OH)D levels were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (Quest Diagnostics, San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA). Free 25(OH)D (FVD) levels were measured using the ELISA assay by Future Diagnostics Solutions BV (Wijchen, Netherlands). Primary endpoints were 2-year changes in areal (a) BMD at the spine, hip, and whole body determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Secondary endpoints were 2-year changes in volumetric (v) BMD and cortical thickness at the radius and tibia assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Supplemental vitamin D3 versus placebo had no effect on 2-year changes in aBMD at the spine (0.33% versus 0.17%; p = 0.55), femoral neck (-0.27% versus -0.68%; p = 0.16), total hip (-0.76% versus -0.95%; p = 0.23), or whole body (-0.22% versus -0.15%; p = 0.60), or on measures of bone structure. Effects did not vary by sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, or 25(OH)D levels. Among participants with baseline FVD levels below the median (<14.2 pmol/L), there was a slight increase in spine aBMD (0.75% versus 0%; p = 0.043) and attenuation in loss of total hip aBMD (-0.42% versus -0.98%; p = 0.044) with vitamin D3 . Whether baseline FVD levels help to identify those more likely to benefit from supplementation warrants further study. Supplemental vitamin D3 versus placebo for 2 years in general healthy adults not selected for vitamin D insufficiency did not improve BMD or structure. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Examining the role of ethnic microaggressions and ethnicity on cortisol responses to an acute stressor among young adults.

Objective: This study examined whether the frequency of experiences of ethnic microaggressions and the sensitivity to such experiences were associated with cortisol responses to an acute social stressor (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) among an ethnically diverse sample of young adults (N = 109, Mage = 18.82 years, SD = 1.40 years, 74% female, 44% Latinx). Method: Self-reported experiences of and sensitivity to microaggressions were assessed using the Everyday Microaggressions Scale. Participants' salivary cortisol was collected before, immediately after, and at three 15-min intervals after the TSST (for a total of 5 salivary samples) to assess their cortisol responses to an acute social stressor. Results: Mixed model analyses revealed that experiencing a higher frequency of microaggressions (p = .005) and being more sensitive to those experiences (p = .001) were associated with a more blunted cortisol response (i.e., lower cortisol reactivity and recovery) to the TSST, relative to experiencing a lower frequency of microaggressions and being less sensitive to them. Furthermore, this blunted cortisol response to the TSST was more prominent among young adults of Latinx and other ethnic backgrounds (i.e., biracial, African American, and Native American) compared to their Asian American and non-Hispanic White peers (p = .034). Conclusion: Findings provide insight into the different ways in which experiences of ethnic microaggressions can be associated with biological markers of stress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).