cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health Conditions among the Potawatomi Indians of Kansas in 1928

In 1928, white Indian agents became convinced that the conditions on the Potawatomi reservation in northeast Kansas were not conducive to good health. The agents commissioned the “Pottawatomie Indian Survey”, a house to house analysis of the health status of the people on the reservation. This article examines the results of that 1928 survey. Eye maladies such as trachoma were the most commonly reported health complaints of the people, and tuberculosis the most often reported cause of death. The disease pattern of the Potawatomi in 1928 was more like that of the rest of the United States in the nineteenth century, and dissimilar from that of other neighboring Kansas populations. Though the agency surveyors of the time laid the blame for health inadequacies at the feet of the Potawatomi, this analysis suggests that poor public health services and the imposition of an alien subsistence strategy were to blame.
The effects of note-taking on listening comprehension in the Test of English as a Foreign Language:

This study examined the effects of taking notes in the portion of the TOEFL listening comprehension section that contains short monologues, or 'mini talks'. These effects were assessed in experimen...
Pseudoneglect: a review and meta-analysis of performance factors in line bisection tasks.

An exhaustive qualitative (vote-counting) review is conducted of the literature concerning visual and non-visual line bisection in neurologically normal subject populations. Although most of these studies report a leftward bisection error (i.e., pseudoneglect), considerable between-study variability and inconsistency characterize this literature. A meta-analysis of this same literature is performed in which the total quantitative data set, comprising 73 studies (or sub-studies) and 2191 subjects, is analyzed with respect to 26 performance factors. The meta-analytic results indicate a significant leftward bisection error in neurologically normal subjects, with an overall effect size of between -0.37 and -0.44 (depending on integration method), which is significantly modulated to varying degrees by a number of additional task or subject variables. For example, visual bisection tasks, midsagittal-pointing tasks and tactile bisection tasks all lead to leftward errors, while kinesthetic tasks result in rightward errors. Tachistoscopic forced-choice testing methods reveal much greater estimates of bisection error (effect size = -1.32) than do manual method-of-adjustment procedures (effect size= -0.40). Subject age significantly modulates line bisection performance such that older subjects err significantly rightward compared to younger subjects, and to veridical line midpoint. Male subjects make slightly larger leftward errors than do female subjects. Handedness has a small effect on bisection errors, with dextrals erring slightly further to the left than sinistral subjects. The hand used to perform manual bisection tasks modulated performance, where use of the left hand lead to greater leftward errors than those obtained using the right hand. One of the most significant factors modulating bisection error is the direction in which subjects initiate motor scanning (with either eye or hand), where a left-to-right scan pattern leads to large leftward errors while a right-to-left scan pattern leads to rightward errors.
Mass Detection in Digitized Mammograms Using Two Independent Computer-Assisted Diagnosis Schemes

Using two independent computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) schemes, we investigated the potential to improve the sensitivity of mass detection by applying a logical "or" operation and to improve the specificity using a logical "and" operation.Two independent mass detectors, one with Gaussian bandpass filtering and multilayer topographic feature analysis and the other with a five-stage search for a single suspicious region, were applied to a large image database that included 428 digitized mammograms with 220 verified masses. The performance of the two schemes and a combination of them in the form of either logical "or" or logical "and" operations were compared.In this preliminary study, a multilayer topographic feature analysis CAD scheme (CAD-1) achieved a sensitivity of 96% and had a false-positive detection rate of 0.79 per image. A five-stage search method scheme (CAD-2) achieved a sensitivity of 94% and had a false-positive detection rate of 1.69 per image. With an "or" operation, the combined results y...
Graves' Dermopathy and Acropachy Are Markers of Severe Graves' Ophthalmopathy

It is generally considered that thyroid dermopathy and acropachy almost always occur with Graves' ophthalmopathy and that these two extrathyroidal manifestations are indicators of severe autoimmune disease and hence of more severe ophthalmopathy. However, documentation of these anecdotal impressions is needed. We assessed the presence of optic neuropathy and frequency of orbital decompression in 2 referral cohorts: 40 patients with acropachy and dermopathy (acropachy group) and 138 patients with Graves' dermopathy and no acropachy (dermopathy group). We compared those cohorts with a cohort of 114 patients who had ophthalmopathy without dermopathy and acropachy (control group). We considered optic neuropathy and the need for orbital decompression to be indicators of severe Graves' ophthalmopathy. The frequency of orbital decompression was significantly higher in the dermopathy group than in the control group (odds ratio, 3.55) and even higher in the acropachy group (odds ratios: 20.68 for acropachy group compared with control group; 5.83 for acropachy group compared with dermopathy group). The same trend occurred with optic neuropathy but was not statistically significant (alpha = 0.05; p = 0.07). Five patients were exceptions: they had definite Graves' dermopathy without clinically obvious ophthalmopathy. In conclusion, dermopathy and acropachy appear to be markers of severe ophthalmopathy. Occasionally, however, Graves' dermopathy occurs without clinical ophthalmopathy.
Biotransfer possibilities of selenium from plants used in phytoremediation

We are investigating the biotransfer of accumulated Se by the plant in several phytoremediation systems. In study I, we evaluated the biotransfer of Se from Indian mustard, a Brassica species, to the insect-cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni); mortality, deterrence, and biomagnification of Se were examined. We determined that feeding behavior of food chain consumers was affected not only by the plant concentration of Se, but also by the mobility of the insects and choice of feed available. In study II, we examined the survival and development of beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) fed Se-enriched plant tissues from different lines of saltbush (Atriplex spp.) After feeding on lines of saltbush that produced high biomass and accumulated high concentrations of Se, insect growth and survival was reduced. In studies III, IV, and V, lambs, dairy cows, and rabbits were fed Se-enriched Brassica and Medicago (alfalfa) plants as part of their feed ration. None of the tested animals exhibited any Se toxicity symptoms, but they had increased levels of Se in most tissues sampled (e.g., organs, blood, urine, feces), excluding milk. In study VI, we evaluated biotransfer of Se from broccoli to rats to determine efficacy of Se for reducing colon cancer. We found that Se-enriched plant material was more effective than inorganic sources of Se for preventing precancerous colon lesions. Results from all studies clearly show that Se absorbed by plants can be transferred biologically in an intentional or unintentional manner to insects and animals.
“Only Connect”: Between Morality and Ethics in Habermas’ Communication Theory

Habermas’ recent work on political communication reveals a distrust of persuasion and private judgment. His distinction, however, between ethical and moral questions opens up a space for localized, rhetorical deliberation within a universalized communicative morality.
Challenges in 65nm Poly, RX and STI Defect Learning

During manufacturing transitioning from 90 nm to 65 nm node in IBM's 300 mm fab, FEOL (front end of line) defect pareto shifted as a result of the changes in integration scheme. By combining the optically based in-line inspection and electrical kerf test, key yield detractors were identified and addressed. Not all optically detected defects are true killers. Wafer functional test and physical failure analysis provided the ultimate determination for the significance of detractors.
The molecular clock runs at different rates among closely related members of a gene family.

The serum albumin gene family is composed of four members that have arisen by a series of duplications from a common ancestor. From sequence differences between members of the gene family, we infer that a gene duplication some 580 Myr ago gave rise to the vitamin D–binding protein (DBP) gene and a second lineage, which reduplicated about 295 Myr ago to give the albumin (ALB) gene and a common precursor to α-fetoprotein (AFP) and α-albumin (ALF). This precursor itself duplicated about 250 Myr ago, giving rise to the youngest family members, AFP and ALF. It should be possible to correlate these dates with the phylogenetic distribution of members of the gene family among different species. All four genes are found in mammals, but AFP and ALF are not found in amphibia, which diverged from reptiles about 360 Myr ago, before the divergence of the AFP-ALF progenitor from albumin.
Ecosystem carbon stocks and sequestration potential of federal lands across the conterminous United States

Federal lands across the conterminous United States (CONUS) account for 23.5% of the CONUS terrestrial area but have received no systematic studies on their ecosystem carbon (C) dynamics and contribution to the national C budgets. The methodology for US Congress-mandated national biological C sequestration potential assessment was used to evaluate ecosystem C dynamics in CONUS federal lands at present and in the future under three Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emission Scenarios (IPCC SRES) A1B, A2, and B1. The total ecosystem C stock was estimated as 11,613 Tg C in 2005 and projected to be 13,965 Tg C in 2050, an average increase of 19.4% from the baseline. The projected annual C sequestration rate (in kilograms of carbon per hectare per year) from 2006 to 2050 would be sinks of 620 and 228 for forests and grasslands, respectively, and C sources of 13 for shrublands. The federal lands’ contribution to the national ecosystem C budget could decrease from 23.3% in 2005 to 20.8% in 2050. The C sequestration potential in the future depends not only on the footprint of individual ecosystems but also on each federal agency’s land use and management. The results presented here update our current knowledge about the baseline ecosystem C stock and sequestration potential of federal lands, which would be useful for federal agencies to decide management practices to achieve the national greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation goal.
Adverse swelling associated with use of rh-BMP-2 in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a case study

Abstract Background context The use of recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rh-BMP-2) is effective in augmenting lumbar spinal fusions. A safe, effective dosage of rh-BMP-2 in the cervical spine has yet to be determined. Use of rh-BMP-2 is currently being evaluated and is only indicated for use in the cervical spine on Investigational Device Exempt cases. Purpose To present a potentially serious adverse event that may occur when using rh-BMP-2 in cervical spine surgery. Study design An emergent sequence of events including physical examination, radiographic studies, intubation, and surgical exploration were performed upon arrival to the emergency department. Methods We report a case of a 54-year-old male patient presenting with neck swelling and difficulty swallowing 5 days after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using rh-BMP-2. Results The patient was found to have massive neck swelling including the pharyngeal tissue. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit where parenteral steroids were administered for 24 hours during monitored intubation. The patient was extubated on the second hospital day and discharged home on the fourth hospital day after swelling subsided. Conclusions Caution should be exercised with rh-BMP-2 use in ACDF surgery as the correct dose and technique for application is not yet determined. Respiratory distress and dysphagia may result secondary to rh-BMP-2 induced anterior neck swelling.
Engaging stakeholders in nano-EHS risk governance

We report on an unusually frank and wide-ranging discussion concerning nano-manufacturing environmental health and safety, between industry and government representatives, insurers and litigators, and experts in life cycle and risk analysis, held at the Boston meeting of the Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization in November 2014. By transitioning from a standard conference panel presentation with audience Q&A to a forum in which each of the two dozen stakeholders in the room was invited to briefly identify themselves and share their expertise and concerns, key understandings emerged along with more nuanced thinking about a broader range of factors influencing industry decision-making and investment, public perception, and government regulation. Industry representatives and advisors who had initially arrived at the session in “observer mode” spoke frankly about the dilemmas of pursuing innovative nanotechnologies with real potential for societal benefit in a climate of regulatory and legal uncertainty. This was a “conversation that has never happened before,” noted one experienced participant, and it left many others hopeful that future stakeholder forums could accelerate the quest to achieve reasonable frameworks for safe governance of emerging technologies.
Artificial neural network application for multi-ecosystem carbon flux simulation

The need for carbon dioxide (CO2) flux estimations covering larger areas and the limitations of the point eddy covariance technique to address this requirement necessitates the modeling of CO2 flux from other micrometeorological variables. The non-linearity of the relationship between CO2 flux and other micrometeorological flux parameters such as energy fluxes limits the applicability of carbon flux models to accurately estimate the flux dynamics. Black box models such as the artificial neural network (ANN) provide a mathematically flexible structure to identify the complex non-linear relationship between inputs and outputs without attempting to explain the nature of the phenomena. A multilayer perceptron ANN technique with an error back propagation algorithm was applied to a CO2 flux simulation study on three different ecosystems (forest, grassland and wheat). Energy fluxes (net radiation, latent heat, sensible heat and soil heat flux) and temperature (air and soil) were used to train the ANN and predict the flux of CO 2. Diurnal hourly fluxes data from 15 days of observations were divided into training and testing. Results of the CO2 flux simulation show that the technique can successfully predict the observed values with R 2 values between 0.75 and 0.94. Predictions from the forest and wheat field show higher promise than the grassland site. The technique is reliable, efficient and highly significant to estimate regional or global CO 2 fluxes from point measurements and understand the spatiotemporal budget of the CO2 fluxes. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
TBSAM: an access method for efficient processing of statistical queries

The domain of statistical and scientific databases is targeted here, and the class of aggregate queries which are very often encountered in this domain is considered. Such a query is aimed at retrieving some aggregate characteristics of the raw data. The tree-based statistics access method (TBSAM), which provides support for the efficient processing of aggregate queries, is presented. It is related to the B/sup +/-tree and also processes the B/sup +/-tree's efficient update properties. Complementing TBSAM is the provision of a grouped update algorithm for minimizing expensive indexed database updates. >
Comparison of the Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (NWAC103 Strain) and the Channel × Blue Catfish, I. punctatus × I.furcatus, F1 Hybrid for Growth, Feed Efficiency, Processing Yield, and Body Composition

Abstract A pond trial was conducted to compare growth, feed efficiency, survival, processing yield, and body composition of the NWAC103 strain of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus and the F1 channel X blue catfish hybrid (CB hybrid), I. punctatus X I. furcatus. Each genotype was stocked into five 0.4-ha earthen ponds at a rate of 14,820 fish/ha. Initial weights were 24.9 and 31.8 g/fish for the NWAC103 strain of channel catfish and the CB hybrid, respectively. Fish were fed a commercial, 28% protein diet once daily to satiation for 160 days. Compared to NWAC103 channel catfish, the CB hybrid consumed more diet, gained more weight, converted diet more efficiently, and had higher net production, survival, carcass yield, nugget yield, visceral fat, fillet moisture and protein, and a lower level of fillet fat. There were no differences in fillet yield and fillet ash concentration between the channel X blue catfish hybrid and the channel catfish. These results suggest that the CB hybrid possesses superior p...
The P/E Ratio And Profitability

This paper examines the relation between the forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and profitability. Consistent with the theoretical predictions of Ohlson and Zhan (2006), this paper finds a U-shaped relation between the forward P/E ratio and return on equity (ROE). Besides, firms with high P/E ratios tend to have lower ROE in the subsequent years, and their ROE is very volatile and wide-distributed. Using the GSCORE from Mohanram (2005), this paper separates winners from losers among high P/E firms. Firms with high GSCORE yield higher earnings growth, sale growth, ROE, and excess stock returns in the following years.
Young Adults Attempt Exchanges in Reproductively Relevant Currencies

Adults in many species exhibit exchanges in reproductively relevant currencies, where males trade resources for sexual relations with females, and females have sex with males in exchange for provis...
Ab initio shell model with a genuine three-nucleon force for the p -shell nuclei

The ab initio no-core shell model (NCSM) is extended to include a realistic three-body interaction in calculations for p-shell nuclei. The NCSM formalism is reviewed and new features needed in calculations with three-body forces are discussed in detail. We present results of first applications to ${}^{6,7}\mathrm{Li},$ ${}^{6}\mathrm{He},$ ${}^{7,8,10}\mathrm{Be},$ ${}^{10,11,12}\mathrm{B},$ ${}^{12}\mathrm{N},$ and ${}^{10,11,12,13}\mathrm{C}$ using the Argonne ${\mathrm{V}8}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ nucleon-nucleon (NN) potential and the Tucson-Melbourne ${\mathrm{TM}}^{\ensuremath{'}}(99)$ three-nucleon interaction (TNI). In addition to increasing the total binding energy, we observe a substantial sensitivity in the low-lying spectra to the presence of the realistic three-body force and an overall improvement in level ordering and level spacing in comparison to experiment. The greatest sensitivity occurs for states where the spin-orbit interaction strength is known to play a role. In particular, with the TNI we obtain the correct ground-state spin for ${}^{10,11,12}\mathrm{B}$ and ${}^{12}\mathrm{N},$ contrary to calculations with NN potentials only.
Parental Roles in Childhood Psychopathology

The state of the American family has come under close scrutiny in recent years in the psychological literature. For example, in his presidential address to the American Psychological Association, Conger (1981) traced the changing nature and functions of the family from 1800 to the present. He noted a number of social changes in our society that had increased the stress on the family in the 1980s: the isolation of the family from other social institutions; the women’s movement and women’s participation in the labor force; and the preoccupation with oneself rather than with others. Furthermore, Conger pointed out that the divorce rate had continued to increase and that, as a result, many households were headed by women and were at or below the poverty level. Simultaneously, the federal government was reducing the social programs that were necessary for these struggling families. Although more recent data suggest that the divorce rate may have peaked, the number of children living in one-parent families and in stepfamilies is projected to continue to increase (Hernandez, 1985). In short, the family and the changes it is undergoing are important topics of study for psychologists interested in the welfare of children.
Potassium secretion by the cortical collecting tubule: effect of C1 gradients and ouabain

In various epithelia K and Cl transport are molecularly coupled and KCl cotransport is dependent on the Na-K pump. The present study examines 1) the effect of a bath-to-lumen Cl gradient on K secretion during active Na transport and 2) the effect of basolateral ouabain on K secretion and Na absorption in the presence and the absence of a bath-to-lumen Cl gradient. Under symmetrical conditions there was significant K secretion (JK = -24.0 +/- 3.9 pmol.mm-1.min-1) and Cl secretion (JCl = -15.7 +/- 3.7 pmol.mm-1.min-1). Transepithelial voltage (VT) was significantly lumen negative (-25.3 +/- 5.9 mV), and Cl secretion occurred against its electrochemical gradient by a transcellular mechanism. Increasing bath [Cl] did not hyperpolarize VT; in fact there was a tendency for VT to depolarize and K secretion was not stimulated. However, ouabain significantly inhibited active Cl secretion and net Na absorption both in the presence and absence of a bath-to-lumen Cl gradient. Furthermore, ouabain totally inhibited K secretion in the absence of external ion gradients but inhibited K secretion by only 50% in the presence of a bath-to-lumen Cl gradient. This ouabain-insensitive K secretion exhibited a codependence on Cl secretion. Thus K secretion may occur passively, utilizing Cl movement down its electrochemical gradient when active Na transport is inhibited by ouabain. The results are compatible with the presence of a Cl-linked K-secretory process in the rabbit CCT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Joint Rock Physics Inversion of Elastic and Electric Attributes for Rock and Fluid Properties – A Real Data Example

Summary Estimation of reservoir properties and monitoring of fluid flow is an important modeling component in hydrocarbon exploration and production. Geophysical data (elastic and electrical) and reservoir rock properties can be linked via rock physics models. In this application, we develop a joint inversion approach of P-wave velocity and resistivity well logs for total porosity and total volume of fluid. We applied our inversion workflow to wireline data measured at the well location of the Rock Springs Uplift, Wyoming, USA, a potential CO2 storage reservoir. The inversion scheme is applied to the actual well dataset and to the same set of well logs filtered at lower resolutions. Results show that the rock and fluid volumes, or at least their trends in the case of filtered data, were predicted by the inversion scheme. Although the method was applied only at the well location, the inversion workflow can be extended to the entire reservoir model to predict the rock and fluid properties of the reservoir away from the well location.
Biaryl-Bridged Macrocyclic Peptides: Conformational Constraint via Carbogenic Fusion of Natural Amino Acid Side Chains

A general method for constraining peptide conformations via linkage of aromatic sidechains has been developed. Macrocyclization of suitably functionalized tri-, tetra- and pentapeptides via Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling has been used to generate side chain to side chain, biaryl-bridged 14- to 21-membered macrocyclic peptides. Biaryl bridges possessing three different configurations, meta–meta, meta–ortho, and ortho–meta, were systematically explored through regiochemical variation of the aryl halide and aryl boronate coupling partners, allowing fine-tuning of the resultant macrocycle conformation. Suzuki–Miyaura macrocyclizations were successfully achieved both in solution and on solid phase for all three sizes of peptide. This approach constitutes a means of constraining peptide conformation via direct carbogenic fusion of side chains of naturally occurring amino acids such as phenylalanine and tyrosine, and so is complementary to strategies involving non-natural, for example, hydrocarbon, bridges.
5'-β,γ-CHF-ATP diastereomers: synthesis and fluorine-mediated selective binding by c-Src protein kinase.

The first preparation of the individual β,γ-CHF-ATP stereoisomers 12a and 12b is reported. Configurationally differing solely by the orientation of the C–F fluorine, 12a and 12b have discrete 31P (202 MHz, pH 10.9, ΔδPα 6 Hz, ΔδPβ 4 Hz) and 19F NMR (470 MHz, pH 9.8, ΔδF 25 Hz) spectral signatures and exhibit a 6-fold difference in IC50 values for c-Src kinase, attributed to a unique interaction of the (S)-fluorine of bound 12b with R388 in the active site.
Mutational analysis of the rift valley fever virus glycoprotein precursor proteins for Gn protein expression

The Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) M-segment encodes the 78 kD, NSm, Gn, and Gc proteins. The 1st AUG generates the 78 kD-Gc precursor, the 2nd AUG generates the NSm-Gn-Gc precursor, and the 3rd AUG makes the NSm'-Gn-Gc precursor. To understand biological changes due to abolishment of the precursors, we quantitatively measured Gn secretion using a reporter assay, in which a Gaussia luciferase (gLuc) protein is fused to the RVFV M-segment pre-Gn region. Using the reporter assay, the relative expression of Gn/gLuc fusion proteins was analyzed among various AUG mutants. The reporter assay showed efficient secretion of Gn/gLuc protein from the precursor made from the 2nd AUG, while the removal of the untranslated region upstream of the 2nd AUG (AUG2-M) increased the secretion of the Gn/gLuc protein. Subsequently, recombinant MP-12 strains encoding mutations in the pre-Gn region were rescued, and virological phenotypes were characterized. Recombinant MP-12 encoding the AUG2-M mutation replicated slightly less efficiently than the control, indicating that viral replication is further influenced by the biological processes occurring after Gn expression, rather than the Gn abundance. This study showed that, not only the abolishment of AUG, but also the truncation of viral UTR, affects the expression of Gn protein by the RVFV M-segment.
Five Decades of Research Experience in Speech Anatomy and Physiology

This report highlights some of the major developments in the area of speech anatomy and physiology drawing from the author's own research experience during his years at the University of Iowa and t...
A long Nb=O double bond in bis(pyridinium) tetra­chlorooxo(pyridine-κN)niobate(V) chloride

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, (C 5 H 6 N) 2 -[NbCl 4 O(C 5 H 5 N)]Cl or (pyH)2[O=NbCl 4 (py)]Cl (py is pyridine), contains a discrete anionic niobium(V) complex, [O=NbCl 4 (Py)] - , and two protonated pyridine molecules, which form medium-strong hydrogen bonds with the Cl - counter-ion. The Nb=O distance of 1.7643 (17) A is the longest among those in congener niobium complexes reported to date. Extensive density functional theory studies of conformations of [O=NbCl 4 (py)] - and structural data mining raise doubts regarding the reliability of the length of this Nb=O double bond.
Robust phonetic segmentation using multi-taper spectral estimation for noisy and clipped speech

Robust phonetic segmentation is extremely important for several speech processing tasks such as phone level articulation analysis and error detection, speech synthesis, and annotation. In this paper, we present an unsupervised phonetic segmentation approach and its application to noisy and clipped speech such as mobile phone recordings. We propose a multi-taper-based Perceptual Linear Prediction (PLP) speech processing front-end, together with Spectral Transition Measure (STM) and a novel post-processing technique, to improve over the baseline STM technique. Performance of the proposed technique has been evaluated using precision, recall and F-score measures. Experimental results show an absolute improvement of 11% for TIMIT and 18% for Hindi speech data (clean) over the baseline approach. Significant improvement in phonetic segmentation was observed for noisy speech — simulated as well as mobile phone recordings.
Antitumor Activity and Mechanism of Action of a Novel Stat3 Inhibitor, WP1066, Against Human B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma.

Abstract B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL) have the highest incidence rates among all lymphomas, comprising more than 85% of malignant lymphomas worldwide. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy that affects 14,000 patients per year. Although new therapies have recently been introduced to treat these malignancies, patient survival has not significantly improved, illustrating the need for additional agents that target and suppress this disease. B-cell malignancies over-express c-myc and frequently retain a constitutively activated Stat3, resulting in increased survival gene expression and apoptotic protection. Targeting these transcription factors may reduce apoptotic thresholds and suppress the growth and survival of these malignancies. In this study, we refined and tested the anti-tumor activity of a novel small MW compound discovered by screening a synthetic library for agents that bock Stat3 activation. WP1066, blocked IL-6 mediated Stat3 activation in numerous human B-NHL and MM tumor cells including the Mino, LP, MM-1 and OCI-My5 at low micromolar concentrations. This compound blocks Jak2-depedent cytokine signaling (IL-3, GM-CSF, IL-6) through the rapid (15 min) down-regulation of the upstream tyrosine kinase, Jak2. WP1066 also causes rapid reduction in c-myc in B-cell malignancies but other transcription factors and signaling kinases are not affected by WP1066. The apoptotic effects of WP1066 on B-NHL and MM cells parallel its Stat inhibitory, Jak2 down-regulatory activity. Jak2 down-regulation is not dependent on proteosomal processing but requires activation of a tyrosine phosphatase, suggesting a unique mechanism of WP1066 action. Based on activities described in vitro, we further examined the antitumor activity of WP1066 in a B-NHL xenograft tumor model. Mice were inoculated (i.p.) with 25 × 106 Mino cells (CB17 SCID mice, 4–5 weeks of age) and 13 days later were treated with 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg of WP1066 (i.p.) qd x 5/week for 2 weeks. WP1066 significantly decreased tumor burden and increased the survival of Mino tumor bearing mice treated with 20 or 40 mg/kg of WP1066. These results suggest that WP1066 reduces Stat activation through a unique mechanism and may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of human B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and multiple myeloma.
E-006 Brainstem Reperfusion Injury Following Endovascular Treatment of Posterior Circulation Ischemia

Introduction Reperfusion injury is a recognized but fairly uncommon consequence of revascularization of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. It has not been described in the posterior circulation, perhaps because of the lower incidence of posterior circulation occlusive disease and because many of these lesions were not historically amenable to revascularization. We describe two cases of brainstem hemorrhage following revascularization of vertebrobasilar arterial occlusion. Methods The medical records and images of patients who underwent revascularization of the posterior circulation were reviewed. Cases were identified from our institutional neuroendovascular database. Results Two patients with brainstem hemorrhages following angioplasty and stent placement in the posterior circulation were identified. The first patient was a 68 year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple, recurrent posterior circulation strokes. She had bilateral vertebral artery occlusion with poor angiographic collaterals. She underwent uneventful placement of a balloon mounted stent in the left vertebral artery, and a good angiographic result was obtained. Thirty minutes later, she became comatose and a massive pontine hemorrhage was discovered. The second patient was a 78 year-old woman with recurrent syncope and scattered cerebellar strokes. She had flow limiting basilar artery stenosis and required systolic blood pressures >180 mm Hg to maintain consciousness. She could not be maintained without vasopressors and endovascular treatment was performed. She underwent successful angioplasty and stent placement. She was in good neurological condition initially, but 12 hours later she became comatose with a large pontine and midbrain hemorrhage. Both patients expired. Conclusion Because all other causes seemed implausible, we concluded that both patients died of brainstem reperfusion injury. Because of the improved ability to treat vertebrobasilar occlusive disease, reperfusion injury in the posterior circulation may be increasingly recognized and characterized. Disclosures T. Higashimori: None. J. Kim: None. D. Sandhu: None. C. Streib: None. R. Tummala: None.
A contemporary view of nickel-base superalloys

Nickel-base alloys, as designed for gas turbine use, have reached an interesting new level of technology. Where previously the main thrust of effort had been to improve mechanical capability, the problems of alloy phase stability and hot corrosion now control much alloy development, principally because of the need for increased alloy life and because gas turbines are being used in a wide variety of ambients. Fundamental and applied studies of hot corrosion phenomena are beginning to allow understanding and progress towards solution of the problem. Sodium sulfate has been the key reactant in the case of nickel alloys. Chromium, as an alloying element, helps inhibit hot corrosion, while molybdenum and aluminum appear to be a problem.
Partitioning of urban transportation networks utilizing real-world traffic parameters for distributed simulation in SUMO

This paper describes a partitioning algorithm for real-world transportation networks incorporating previously unaccounted parameters like signalized traffic intersection, road segment length, traffic density, number of lanes and inter-partition communication overhead due to the migration of vehicles from one partition to another. We also describe our hypothetical framework for distributed simulation of the partitioned road network on SUMO, where a master controller is currently under development using TraCI APIs and MPI library to coordinate the parallel simulation and synchronization between the sub-networks generated by our proposed algorithm.
Resisting and Reinforcing Neoliberalism: Youth Activist Organizations and Youth Participation in the Contemporary Canadian Context

ABSTRACTThis critical qualitative research focused on a group of youth engaged in social justice and critical education activities in a youth activist organization. This article explains how neoliberalism as governmentality provides insight into the ways in which the interrelated macro, local, and micro contextual layers mediate youth activist organizations and youth participation. Three participation narratives are woven together with two key themes: the ethos of individualism and market-focused discourse. This work aims to provide insight into how youth activist organizations can effectively engage youth in social practices and relationships toward social justice in an increasingly neoliberal era.
Linking annual tree growth with eddy-flux measures of net ecosystem productivity across twenty years of observation in a mixed conifer forest

Abstract Eddy covariance methodologies have greatly improved our understanding of the forest carbon cycle, including controls over year-to-year variability in productivity (measured as net ecosystem productivity, NEP, where NEP is the difference between the mass of carbon fixed by photosynthesis and that lost by ecosystem respiration). However, establishing and maintaining eddy covariance towers requires sizeable financial and logistical investments. Tree-ring methods, which can produce annual estimates of tree biomass increment from individual trees, provide an alternative approach for assessing forest productivity. Attempts to link these measures of productivity (i.e., NEP and tree biomass increment) have produced inconsistent results, in part because NEP time series are typically too short to provide robust comparisons. We here use a relatively long (20-year) NEP time series together with annual tree biomass increment (derived from tree-ring data) from the same site to determine to what extent the two productivity measures relate to each other. We conducted this study at the Howland Research Forest, central Maine USA, which supports a mature, mixed-species conifer forest. We expressed stand-level tree biomass increment on a per-area basis, which allowed direct comparisons with NEP data. Our results revealed a strong relationship between tree biomass increment and annual NEP measurements when the latter are summarized from previous-year fall to current-year fall, a marked improvement over more typical calendar-year summaries. Further, our results suggest tree biomass increment lagged one year behind NEP (i.e., assimilated carbon was not allocated to wood formation until the following year) for roughly the first half of the time-series, but later became synchronized with current-year NEP. This shift to synchrony may reflect a change in stand-level carbon allocation and growth dynamics. The apparent shift in carbon allocation from storage into current-year wood formation is most evident in two recent years with above-average spring temperatures. Although our results demonstrate a link between annual tree biomass increment and NEP, they also point to complexities that may confound our interpretation of these productivity measures.
Gallium-Based Room-Temperature Liquid Metals: Actuation and Manipulation of Droplets and Flows

Gallium based room-temperature liquid metals possess extremely valuable properties, such as low toxicity, low vapor pressure, and high thermal and electrical conductivity enabling them to become suitable substitutes for mercury and beyond in wide range of applications. When exposed to air, a native oxide layer forms on the surface of gallium based liquid metals which mechanically stabilizes the liquid. By removing or reconstructing the oxide skin shape and state of liquid metal droplets and flows can be manipulated/actuated desirably. This can occur manually or in the presence/absence of a magnetic/electric field. These methods lead to numerous useful applications such as soft electronics, reconfigurable devices and soft robots. In this mini-review, we summarize the most recent progresses achieved on liquid metal droplet generation and actuation of gallium based liquid metals with/without an external force.
Passive cooling of solar cells with a comprehensive photonic approach

We present a comprehensive photonic approach for passive cooling of solar cells by simultaneously performing radiative cooling while also selectively utilizing the sunlight. We design a photonic cooler made of multilayer dielectric stack that can strongly radiate heat through its thermal radiation while also significantly reflecting the solar spectrum in sub-band gap and ultraviolet regime. We show that applying this photonic cooler on solar panel can cool the solar cell by over 5.6K in a typical terrestrial operating condition. Our technique points to an optimal photonic approach for passive cooling of solar cells and can be readily implemented as a retrofit for current photovoltaic modules to improve both efficiency and reliability.
CH PLIF and PIV implementation using C-X (0,0) and intra-vibrational band filtered detection

This study demonstrates advancement in a low-pulse energy methylidyne (CH) planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) method that facilitates its application alongside flows seeded for particle image velocimetry (PIV) or other particle scattering based methods, as well as in high scattering environments. The C-X (0,0) R-branch excitation and filtered detection are carefully selected such that the laser line frequency is heavily attenuated by an edge filter while allowing transmission of most of the (0,0) band fluorescence. There are strong OH A-X (0,0) lines in the vicinity, but they can be avoided or utilized through dye laser tuning. As a demonstration of efficacy, PIV is performed simultaneously with the PLIF imaging. Using the edge filter, particle scattering signal is reduced to sub-fluorescence levels, allowing for flame-front analysis. This achievement enables flame-front tracking at high repetition rates (due to the low-pulse energy required) in combination with a scattering method such as PIV or use in high scattering environments such as enclosed combustors or near burner surfaces.
Automatic segmentation of cardiac substructures from noncontrast CT images: accurate enough for dosimetric analysis?

Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility of using an automatic segmentation tool to delineate cardiac substructures from noncontrast computed tomography (CT) images for cardiac dosimetry and toxicity ...
The Effect of QBO Phase on the Atmospheric Response to Projected Arctic Sea Ice Loss in Early Winter

Author(s): Labe, Z; Peings, Y; Magnusdottir, G | Abstract: Recent modeling studies have shown an important role for stratosphere-troposphere coupling in the large-scale atmospheric response to Arctic sea ice loss. Evidence is growing that the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) can contribute to or even mitigate teleconnections from surface forcing. Here, the influence of QBO phase on the atmospheric response to projected Arctic sea ice loss is examined using an atmospheric general circulation model with a well-resolved stratosphere and a QBO prescribed from observations. The role of the QBO is determined by compositing seasons with easterly phase (QBO-E) separately from seasons with westerly phase (QBO-W). In response to the sea ice forcing in early winter, the polar vortex during QBO-E weakens with strong stratosphere-troposphere wave-1 coupling and a negative Northern Annular Mode-type response. At the surface, this results in more severe Siberian cold spells. For QBO-W, the polar vortex strengthens in response to the sea ice forcing.
Observation of a high abundance aggregation of the deep-sea urchin Chaetodiadema pallidum A. Agassiz and H.L. Clark, 1907 on the Northwestern Hawaiian Island Mokumanamana

Abstract AUV images of deep-sea megafauna on the seamount Mokumanamana in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands revealed a large aggregation of the diadematoid urchin Chaetodiadema pallidum. This species had not been previously recorded on this seamount, but was known from other locations in the Hawaiian Archipelago. A total of 11,360 individuals were counted by eye from 1,369 seafloor images along the 200, 250, and 300 m depth contours on the west side of Mokumanamana. To estimate the full population size, Inverse Distance Weighting and Empirical Bayesian Kriging interpolation calculated a total population size of between 139,552 and 144,063 individuals. These estimates are 1-2 orders of magnitude greater than any previous estimates of urchin aggregation abundances. Little biological data exists for this species; thus, it is difficult to know if this is a spawning aggregation, a feeding front, a type of “schooling” behavior, or some combination thereof, but a food source did seem to be present in the form of mesophotic green algal detritus.
Hydrolytically-degradable homo- and copolymers of a strained exocyclic hemiacetal ester

We report the cationic ring-opening homo- and copolymerization of the 7-membered exocyclic hemiacetal ester 7-methoxyoxepan-2-one (MOPO) to afford poly(7-methoxyoxepan-2-one) [poly(MOPO)] and its copolymers with isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) that achieve essentially quantitative conversions of MOPO. The amorphous homopolymer is characterized by a low glass transition temperature of Tg = −37 °C and is readily degraded under both acidic and basic conditions at the labile acylacetal linkages. With triflic acid as the cationic initiator the homopolymerization proceeds by an uncontrolled active chain end mechanism to reproducibly yield poly(MOPO) of Mn ∼ 20 kg mol−1. The monomer was also polymerized by a photoinitiated process using a dithiocarbamate or trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent and the photocatalyst 2,4,6-tris(p-4-methoxyphenyl)pyrylium tetrafluoroborate. Lower molar mass polymers were recovered at high initial concentrations of dithiocarbamate as compared to no chain transfer agent, indicating some ability to control polymer molar mass. Photoinitiated copolymerization of MOPO and IBVE afforded a tapered copolymer with MOPO-MOPO, IBVE-MOPO, and IBVE-IBVE linkages that degraded into low molar mass poly(IBVE) fragments in hydrochloric acid through hydrolysis of the acylacetal linkages resulting from ring-opened MOPO units in the backbone.
Sustainable Wireless IoT Networks With RF Energy Charging Over Wi-Fi (CoWiFi)

Radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting is a promising technology that enables self-sustainable wireless Internet of Things (IoT) networks. In this article, we analyze the energy harvesting performance of a Wi-Fi-based IoT network, where a large number of IoT devices are connected via Wi-Fi for both data communication and energy transfer. Applying probability theory and statistical geometry, we first develop an analytical model to study the energy sustainability of wireless IoT devices with Wi-Fi charging, which operate in an active/charging mode and access the channel using carrier sensing multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol. Based on the analysis, we derive the necessary and sufficient conditions for the AP beaconing frequency and the charging period of IoT devices to ensure that a network with a general random topology is long-term energy sustainable. It is shown that transmission collisions due to random access result in too much energy consumption that makes it difficult to achieve energy sustainability of IoT devices. To maximize the total network throughput while ensuring long-term energy sustainability of Wi-Fi IoT devices, a distributed energy-sustainable throughput-optimal algorithm is proposed for user charging period selection. Extensive simulations using NS-3 validate the analysis and demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Slaying the Bad Communication Beast

There are individuals who believe the smarter you are, or the higher your IQ, the more effectively you communicate. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In fact, sometimes, believing that you are the smartest person in the room can easily get in the way of communicating effectively.In comes, Emotional Intelligence or EQ. Those who leverage EQ have a much better indicator of their ability to influence, persuade and connect with others, which ultimately is all about the way we communicate. So whether you think of yourself as a world-class communicator or as someone who would rather just send an email than deal with face-to-face chatter, chances are you have at least a few bad communication habits that may drive people crazy. How can we slay the beast of bad communication? This interactive session will discuss the pitfalls, methods and strategies to help us embrace thoughtful and effective communication at all levels. We will also discuss the powerful influence it can have on creating a more Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive community.
Multimodal imaging of ring 14 syndrome associated maculopathy

ABSTRACTBackground: Ring 14 syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder characterized by a ring-shaped appearance of chromosome 14. Classically findings include distinct facial characteristics, refract...