cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multivariate approach to predictive diagnosis of bone-marrow iron stores.

The authors constructed a computer-assisted multivariate data analysis system that finds the subset of a group of laboratory tests (i.e., experimental variables) best able to discriminate between previously identified subpopulations. A Bayesian decision-analysis algorithm was devised for predictive diagnosis by the use of sample means and standard deviations of those identified tests. This approach was used on a set of nine hematologic laboratory tests to find a subset capable of efficiently predicting the presence or absence of bone-marrow iron stores. This identified subset proved to have a diagnostic efficiency of 0.90. The success of this system suggests the feasibility of such an approach in finding a "best" subset of loosely related variables.
A rock fragment related to the magnesian suite in lunar meteorite Allan Hills (ALHA) 81005

Among the lunar samples that were returned by the Apollo missions are many cumulate plutonic rocks with high Mg# [molar Mg/(Mg+Fe) in %] and abundances of KREEP elements (potassium, rare earth elements, phosphorus, U, Th, etc.) that imply KREEP-rich parental magmas. These rocks, collectively called the magnesian suite, are nearly absent from sampling sites distant from Imbrium basin ejecta, including those of lunar highlands meteorites. This absence has significant implications for the early differentiation of the Moon and its distribution of heat-producing elements (K, Th, U). Here, we analyze a unique fragment of basalt with the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of a magnesian suite rock, in the lunar highlands meteorite Allan Hills (ALH) A81005. In thin section, the fragment is 700 × 300 μm, and has a sub-ophitic texture with olivine phenocrysts, euhedral plagioclase grains (An97-70),and interstitial pyroxenes. Its minerals are chemically equilibrated. Olivine has Fe/Mn ~ 70 (consistent with a lunar origin), and Mg# ~80, which is consistent with rocks of the magnesian suite and far higher than in mare basalts. It has a rich suite of minor minerals: fluorapatite, ilmenite, Zr-armalcolite, chromite, troilite, silica, and Fe metal (Ni = 3.8%, Co = 0.17%). The metal is comparable to that in chondrite meteorites, which suggests that the fragment is from an impact melt. The fragment itself is not a piece of magnesian suite rock (which are plutonic), but its mineralogy and mineral chemistry suggest that its protolith (which was melted by impact) was related to the magnesian suite. However, the fragment’s mineral chemistry and minor minerals are not identical to those of known magnesian suite rocks, suggesting that the suite may be more varied than apparent in the Apollo samples. Although ALHA81005 is from the lunar highlands (and likely from the farside), Clast U need not have formed in the highlands. It could have formed in an impact melt pool on the nearside and been transported by meteoroid impact. Lunar highlands meteorites should be searched for rock fragments related to the magnesian-suite rocks, but the fragments are rare and may have mineral compositions similar to some meteoritic (impactor) materials.
Control of the Structure-Infesting Beetle Hemicoelus gibbicollis (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) with Borates

borate insecticide, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, reduced the numbers oflarvae of Hemicoelus gibbicollis (LeConte) feeding within infested wooden timbers by >95%. Borates did not deter female beetles from ovipositing on wood but effectively prevented larvae from emerging and penetrating into timbers. Borates can easily be adapted into an integrated control program for structure-infesting anobiids.
Combined effects of stretch, curvature, and radiation on the extinction of tubular premixed flames

*† The combined effects of flame stretch, curvature, and radiation on the extinction of premixed tubular flames are investigated using the large-activation-energy asymptotic analysis. A general theoretical correlation for flame radius, speed, and temperature is obtained and used to study the combined effects on the flame extinction limit. The flame isola for radiative tubular flames is predicted and it is found that both extinction limits are strongly affected by flame curvature. By varying the radiation intensity, various flame bifurcations are predicted and curvature effects are examined. It is shown that the extinction limits can be greatly changed by the change of flame curvature. Furthermore, the effects of Lewis number are examined. The results demonstrate a significant influence of preferential diffusion on the extinction limits of tubular flames at different curvatures.
The Outlet of the Resource-Exhausted Type Cities

The key problem in the process of citifying and economic development was the promotion of the industries and the sustainable development of the resource-exhausted type cities. The outlet of the resource-exhausted type cities included some aspects:the development of relative advantages, the selection and breeding of the new industry, and the formation of new industry structure.
Response to noise of auditory nerve fibers in the squirrel monkey.

THE SALIENT FEATURES of the discharge characteristics of auditory nerve units were first described by Tasaki (27). Later studies extended Tasaki’s observations and described many properties of the response to tonal stimuli. Click stimuli have also been used in several studies (13, 18, 21), but there exist only fragmentary descriptions of the responses to noise. The present investigation attempts to describe some features of the response to noise of auditory nerve fibers. Motivation for the study arose from a desire to link the responses to noise to some aspects of the behavior of auditory nerve fibers when excited by tonal and impulsive stimuli and to the responses of central auditory neurons to noise (12, 16). This study deals specifically with the time structure of responses to white noise and with rates of discharge as functions of intensity and bandwidth. Auditory nerve fibers respond to tonal stimuli whose frequencies are confined to a relatively narrow range of values. Threshold tuning curves are similar in shape to the gain-frequency plots of sharply tuned filters. Poststimulus time histograms of responses to clicks show a damped oscillation of excitability, roughly consistent with the idea that there exists a sharp filter interposed between the stimulus and each auditory neuron (13, 18). This idea has been further supported by the demonstration that, on the average, discharges evoked by white-noise stimulation tend to be preceded by a short oscillation in the stimulus waveform that has a fundamental frequency close to the best frequency of the unit (3-5). Finally, a study on binaural interactions in the inferior colliculus showed that there exist neurons whose discharge rates are very
Functional expression of an Fc receptor cloned from neonatal rat small intestine

Transmission of maternal IgG from milk across the intestinal epithelium of the suckling rat confers passive immunity. Transport is mediated by an epithelial cell Fc receptor. It is unidirectional because IgG can bind the receptor at the apical cell surface, exposed to the slightly acidic pH of the intestinal lumen, but not at the neutral pH of the serosal fluid at the basolateral membrane. We have cloned a cDNA encoding a putative Fc receptor from the small intestine of 11-day-old rats. Expression of this cDNA in rat and mouse fibroblast lines causes these cells to bind IgG with the pH dependence observed in the intestine of the neonate.
Extensible experiences: fusality for stream and field

This paper describes our initial methods and results for the collection, fusion, and delivery of geo-referenced data to Web3D clients. We are working to publish environmental monitoring data and citizen sensors to create compelling and scientific experiences of local places. We describe our collection and fusion of 3D point clouds and photospheres and describe the challenges and approaches to data registration. We demonstrate how these interactive online experiences can be delivered to different immersive platforms from handhelds to HMDs to high-resolution immersive environments and illustrate our methods with data from our water monitoring lab and our environmental research stations.
Methimazole-induced insulin autoimmune syndrome:

Background:Hypoglycemia in a critical care setting is often multifactorial with iatrogenic insulin use, sulfonylurea (SU) use, sepsis, adrenal insufficiency and insulinoma among the common causes. ...
Culture and National Conditions Facilitating Entrepreneurial Start-ups

Culture shapes institutional practices and policies facilitating or constraining the formation of new start-ups. This study assesses the extent to which cultural parameters and economic conditions support the development of new business start-ups in 44 nations. Cultural and economic variables provided unique contributions in predicting a profile of environmental conditions (ease of obtaining financing for new ventures, administrative burdens, legal infrastructure, and labor flexibility) favoring entrepreneurship in different nations.
Simulation of hydrodynamically interacting particles confined by a spherical cavity

In order to study diffusion and rheology within a spherical cavity, a theoretical framework is used to model the motion of an arbitrary number of hydrodynamically interacting colloidal particles confined within a solid, continuous spherical cavity. The model accurately accounts for many-body hydrodynamic interactions and lubrication interactions that occur between particles and with the cavity.
Investigating the Semantic Similarities across Physician and Nurse Handoff Communication

In this paper, we report on an exploratory investigation of the semantic similarities between physician and nurse handoff communication in clinical settings. Based on our analysis of verbal handoffs of residents and nurses (265 patient handoffs each; total 530) using natural language processing techniques, we found that there are inherent similarities in the nature of content that is exchanged within these disciplinary handoffs. However, the consistency of the clinical content across all handoffs and their order of presentation were less predictable. We briefly discuss the potential implications of our results that can inform evidence-based guidelines for the design of an interdisciplinary handoff framework.
Identification and Characterization of a Sodium Ion Binding Site on the Staphylocoagulase-Prothrombin Complex.

Sodium ion binding regulates allosterically the pro- and anti-coagulant functions of the central coagulation serine proteinase, thrombin (T). The conversion of the prothrombin (ProT) zymogen into T results in expression of the fibrinogen (Fbg) recognition site (exosite I) and may facilitate binding of a single Na+. Na+ binding stabilizes the “fast” form of T that mediates the efficient conversion of Fbg into fibrin. The “slow” form of T, lacking Na+, shows decreased Fbg substrate activity and slightly enhanced activity towards activation of protein C, which results in a net increase in the anticoagulant activity of T ([Di Cera et al., 1995][1]). Conversion of protein C to activated protein C results in cleavage and inactivation of factor Va and VIIIa, which inhibits reactions central to hemostasis. Staphylocoagulase (SC), a conformational activator of ProT, binds ProT with high affinity through proexosite I and imparts T-like activity to the zymogen-activator complex. To determine whether the Na+ binding site is present on the SC-(1-325)·ProT complex, kinetic studies in the presence and absence of Na+ were performed, using the non-interacting cation, choline to maintain constant ionic strength. Results indicate that indeed Na+ binds to the SC-(1-325)·ProT complex with a K D of 17 ± 2 mM and causes an ~7-fold increase in the activity of SC-(1-325)·ProT complex toward a T-specific tripeptide chromogenic substrate. The chromogenic substrate activity of mouse ProT·SC-(1-325), unlike the human zymogen, was independent of Na+, consistent with the recent finding that mouse T lacks a functional Na+ binding site ([Bush et al., 2006][2]). Fbg clotting studies indicated that human T has 24-fold increased clotting activity in the presence of Na+, and the SC-(1-325)·T complex has 13-fold enhanced activity. Surprisingly, much unlike the results obtained from the chromogenic substrate studies, the Fbg clotting activity of the SC-(1-325)·ProThuman complex was less dependent on the presence of Na+, as indicated by a 4.1-fold increase in clotting activity for the complex in the presence of Na+. Further studies will be necessary to elucidate the functional significance of the Na+ binding site on the SC·ProT complex and its effect on Fbg recognition and cleavage. [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2
On the variable-delay reliability function of discrete memoryless channels with access to noisy feedback

We give a scheme for variable-delay reliable communication over a noisy discrete memoryless channel with a noisy feedback DMC being available between the receiver and the transmitter. This scheme works when the capacity of the feedback channel is greater than the capacity of the forward channel and the target rate of communication on the forward channel is less than its capacity. Rather than looking at a single block in isolation, we consider the scenario where we expect this system to carry an infinite stream of packets. We show that in the limit of nearly noiseless feedback channels, we approach the Burnashev bound on the reliability of variable-delay channel codes.
Follicular Lymphoma: Treatment for Early-Stage, Grades 1 and 2, and Advanced-Stage Disease

Follicular lymphoma is the second most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma histology diagnosed and the most common of the indolent histologies. Radiotherapy remains an important treatment modality for patients with follicular lymphoma. Among patients with early-stage disease, definitive treatment with radiotherapy remains the standard of care to doses of 24–30 Gy using involved-site radiotherapy. For patients with advanced disease, low-dose radiotherapy (2 Gy/fraction × two fractions) remains an excellent palliative treatment with durable control for approximately 18 months. Utilizing two different clinical scenarios, this chapter discusses epidemiology, staging, and treatment options and provides an in-depth overview of the radiotherapy treatment field design and plan evaluation for follicular lymphoma.
Understanding the Process of Transfer of Training in a Military Context: Marching Into New Roles

The ProblemThe learning transfer literature is mainly concerned with understanding what transfer of learning is, factors affecting the transfer, and measurements of transfer factors. Researchers ha...
Association between Survival Time and Changes in NT-proBNP in Cats Treated for Congestive Heart Failure.

Background Reductions in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations after treatment have been associated with improved survival in people with congestive heart failure (CHF), but have not been reported in cats with CHF. Objectives To evaluate changes in NT-proBNP concentrations in cats with CHF after treatment and determine whether serial NT-proBNP measurements provide prognostic information. Animals Thirty-one client-owned cats. Methods Prospective, observational study in cats with new onset CHF secondary to cardiomyopathy. Concentrations of NT-proBNP were measured within 4 hours of admission to the hospital, on the day of discharge, and at re-evaluation 7–10 days later. Results Median NT-proBNP concentrations decreased significantly from admission (1,713 pmol/L [range, 160–3,784 pmol/L]) to discharge (902 pmol/L [range, 147–3,223 pmol/L]); P = .005) and from admission to re-evaluation (1,124 pmol/L [range, 111–2,727 pmol/L]; P = .024). Median survival time was 109 days (range, 1–709 days), with 5 cats still alive at the time of analysis. Cats with a larger percent decrease in NT-proBNP from admission to discharge had a longer survival time (P = .048). Cats with evidence of active CHF at the time of re-evaluation (P = .010) and cats whose owners had difficulty administering medications (P = .045) had shorter survival times. Conclusions and clinical importance Cats with a larger percent decrease in NT-proBNP during hospitalization and no evidence of CHF at the time of re-evaluation had longer survival times. Additional studies are needed to determine whether NT-proBNP can help guide treatment in cats with CHF.
Evaluation of the Performance of DNPH-Coated Silica Gel and C18 Cartridges in the Measurement of Formaldehyde in the Presence and Absence of Ozone

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is an important photochemical product generated during the oxidation of volatile organic compounds in the troposphere. Accurate HCHO concentrations are essential for developing a quantitative basis for ozone formation and represent a primary monitoring objective for the Photochemical Assessment and Monitoring Stations (PAMS). In the PAMS network, measurements of HCHO are conducted by a derivatization method using cartridges coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). In this study, a manifold system has been designed to evaluate the performance, accuracy, and importance of interfer ences of DNPH-coated silica gel and C18 cartridges using gas-phase calibration standards. Compared to the independent gas-phase calibration values, HCHO values from silica gel cartridges were typically 5% lower than the reference values over the range of 2−25 ppbv; C18 cartridge values were systematically lower by 20%. These results were found to be independent of the level of humidity in the system. The ...
On the Transient Behaviour in Discrete-Time Model Reference Adaptive Control

Abstract This paper shows that a result recently obtained for arbitrarily improving the transient performance of a continuous-time model reference adaptive control scheme does not have a counterpart in discrete-time. Using standard l1 optimal control theory, it is shown that, unike the continuous-time case, it is not possible to modify the control law to obtain arbitrarily small l∞ gain for the transfer function from the parameter mismatch to the tracking error. Nevertheless, the control law may be modified to minimize this gain, perhaps resulting in improved error transients.
The formation of polylysogens during infection of Escherichia coli with bacteriophage λ

Abstract When bacteriophage λ lysogenizes Escherichia coli , polylysogens occur at a frequency of ca. 40%. Most of the polylysogens are dilysogens. These are produced by the Int system alone or by the Int and Red systems together. The bacterial Rec system plays little or no role in a gam + infection. Int-promoted polylysogens can arise either by sequential insertion of DNA monomers or by insertion of polymers. Int-Red-mediated polylysogens might arise by nonreciprocal exchanges; some of these may involve three DNA molecules.
Feeling Good about Feeling Good: Investor Selection in a Pro-Social Crowdfunding Context

Crowdfunding is increasingly seen as a rich strategy with which to fund pro- social entrepreneurial activity, particularly for early stage and small projects, which also have the potential to impro...
Optical signal processing using coherent optical frequency combs

Optical signal processing using coherent optical frequency combs could have various potential applications for optical communications. In the beginning, an approach to achieve a tunable optical high-order QAM generation based on multichannel aggregation is discussed. Then, an all-optical pilot-tone based self-homodyne-detection scheme is demonstrated under two scenarios: (i) multiple WDM channels with sufficient power of pilot tones, and (ii) a single channel with a low-power pilot tone. Finally, a fragmented bandwidth allocation enabled by reconfigurable channel slicing and stitching is presented, in which a single optical channel could be redistributed into fragmented frequency slots and ultimately recovered at the receiver side.
Rational Design of Biosafety Level 2-Approved, Multidrug-Resistant Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis through Nutrient Auxotrophy

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis, defined as tuberculosis resistant to the two first-line drugs isoniazid and rifampin, poses a serious problem for global tuberculosis control strategies. Lack of a safe and convenient model organism hampers progress in combating the spread of MDR strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis We reasoned that auxotrophic MDR mutants of M. tuberculosis would provide a safe means for studying MDR M. tuberculosis without the need for a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) laboratory. Two different sets of triple auxotrophic mutants of M. tuberculosis were generated, which were auxotrophic for the nutrients leucine, pantothenate, and arginine or for leucine, pantothenate, and methionine. These triple auxotrophic strains retained their acid-fastness, their ability to generate both a drug persistence phenotype and drug-resistant mutants, and their susceptibility to plaque-forming mycobacterial phages. MDR triple auxotrophic mutants were obtained in a two-step fashion, selecting first for solely isoniazid-resistant or rifampin-resistant mutants. Interestingly, selection for isoniazid-resistant mutants of the methionine auxotroph generated isolates with single point mutations in katG, which encodes an isoniazid-activating enzyme, whereas similar selection using the arginine auxotroph yielded isoniazid-resistant mutants with large deletions in the chromosomal region containing katG These M. tuberculosis MDR strains were readily sterilized by second-line tuberculosis drugs and failed to kill immunocompromised mice. These strains provide attractive candidates for M. tuberculosis biology studies and drug screening outside the BSL3 facility.IMPORTANCE Elimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium causing tuberculosis, requires enhanced understanding of its biology in order to identify new drugs against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant M. tuberculosis as well as uncovering novel pathways that lead to M. tuberculosis death. To circumvent the need for a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) laboratory when conducting research on M. tuberculosis, we have generated drug-susceptible and drug-resistant triple auxotrophic strains of M. tuberculosis suitable for use in a BSL2 laboratory. These strains originate from a double auxotrophic M. tuberculosis strain, H37Rv ΔpanCD ΔleuCD, which was reclassified as a BSL2 strain based on its lack of lethality in immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice. A third auxotrophy (methionine or arginine) was introduced via deletion of metA or argB, respectively, since M. tuberculosis ΔmetA and M. tuberculosis ΔargB are unable to survive amino acid auxotrophy and infect their host. The resulting triple auxotrophic M. tuberculosis strains retained characteristics of M. tuberculosis relevant for most types of investigations.
15.18 – Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Thermal ionization mass spectrometry began soon after the discovery of the atom and understanding of the behavior of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. Though a ‘traditional’ instrumental technique, thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS) remains at the cutting edge of a number of geoscience applications that require very high isotope ratio precisions and/or very low detection limits. The strengths of the technique include its very high sensitivities for elements that ionize well in thermal emission sources, the limited energy spread of the ions produced, and the relatively low production of molecular backgrounds and multiply charged ions. Weaknesses of TIMS include the need for extensive sample preparation prior to analysis, very low sensitivities for elements that do not ionize efficiently thermally, and that the evaporation of the sample induces isotopic mass fractionation that cannot be controlled to high precision either within a single analysis or between sample analyses. For many geo/cosmochemically important elements, TIMS provides either the most sensitive or precise, or both, means for isotope ratio analysis and concentration analysis through isotope dilution. Although being pushed on several fronts by other techniques, the basic strengths of TIMS suggest that it will remain a critical tool in geo/cosmochemical studies for quite some time to come.
Different Forms of Microbial Manganese Oxidation and Reduction and Their Environmental Significance

A variety of bacteria have been found to be able to catalyze manganese oxidation. They can be divided into two major groups on a physiological basis. To one of these two groups are assigned those organisms that act on free Mn2+, and to the other group are assigned those organisms that can act only on Mn2+ bound to Mn(IV) oxide. Of the group that attacks free Mn2+ ions, some members seem to be able to derive energy from the reaction while others cannot. So far, all members of a group of seven different organisms that attack only Mn2+ bound to Mn(IV) oxide are able to get energy from the oxidation (Ehrlich, 1976, 1978a; unpublished data).
CONTRIBUTIONS TO A STATE SPACE THEORY FOR LINEAR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION MODELS

Abstract Mathematical models of dynamic systems which require partial differential equations do not have the same rich basis in theory that their ordinary differential counterparts do. In this paper the requirements for a state space theory of general types of linear models will be investigated. It is shown that higher order systems of coupled model equations, including parabolic and hyperbolic partial differential equations and even ordinary differential equations, can be treated using generalizations of Green's functions. It is shown that this approach encompasses the Riemann function representation of the solution of second order hyperbolic equations as well. The Green's function is completely defined, including all boundary conditions, for systems with nonselfadjoint operators as well as those with selfadjoint. The state transition operator for such systems is obtained in terms of the Greens function and properties analogous to those for systems of ordinary differential equations are established. The state transition operator is resolved in terms of its spectral properties when they can be obtained. The theory is illustrated with several elementary examples of models consisting of coupled equations of different types.
Factoring Semiprimes Using PG2N Prime Graph Multiagent Search

In this thesis a heuristic method for factoring semiprimes by multiagent depth-limited search of PG 2 N graphs is presented. An analysis of PG 2 N graph connectivity is used to generate heuristics for multiagent search. Further analysis is presented including the requirements on choosing prime numbers to generate ’hard’ semiprimes; the lack of connectivity in PG 1 N graphs; the counts of spanning trees inPG 2 N graphs; the upper boundof aPG 2 N graph diameter and a conjecture on the frequency distribution of prime numbers on Hamming distance. We further demonstrated the feasibility of the HD2 breadth first search of PG 2 N graphs for factoring small semiprimes. We presented the performance of different multiagent search heuristics in PG 2 N graphs showing that the heuristic of most connected seedpick outperforms least connected or random connected seedpick heuristics on small PG 2 N graphs of sizeN ≤ 26. The contribution of this small scale research was to develop heuristics for seed selection that may extrapolate to larger values ofN .
The effect of heat treatments on the resistance of aluminum metal matrix composites produced by squeeze-casting

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to improve the understanding of the effect of reaction products at the interface between the fiber and the matrix on mechanical properties. The samples were made by squeeze-casting, using Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 preforms as a reinforcement for two aluminum alloys. Following the sample preparation, some samples were heat treated in order to produce a reaction at the alloy-fiber interface. There were different reaction zone thicknesses corresponding to the different heat treatments. Fractographic examinations were done to observe the fracture behavior of the matrix and fiber phases after mechanical testing. These observations suggest the importance of good bonding at the interface between the fiber and the matrix with or without reaction products.
Ten Diverse Outcome Measures for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Research

Understanding how individuals change over the course of therapy is an important area of investigation for psychotherapy researchers. It is generally appreciated that there are many ways for individuals to change and different types of treatments seek to promote different types of change. While efficacy studies have tended to focus on symptom changes associated with treatment, changes in other constructs are also an important part of what can occur in therapy. A growing number of measures have been developed to assess functional (e.g., psychological capacities) and representational (e.g., object relations) constructs that are often the targets of change for psychodynamic treatments. Among their many uses, these measures can be employed to study change in psychodynamic psychotherapy. The present chapter provides a review of ten measures that assess changes believed to occur as a function of psychodynamic treatments. We have included a diverse mixture of measures that differ with regard to the construct they measure, the method employed, and their history of use in psychotherapy outcome research. For each measure, we provide a general description of the measure’s purpose, structure, psychometric properties, validity studies, and when applicable, past use in outcome studies.
Elucidating Sorghum Biomass, Nitrogen and Chlorophyll Contents With Spectral and Morphological Traits Derived From Unmanned Aircraft System

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) provide an efficient way to phenotype crop morphology with spectral traits such as plant height, canopy cover and various vegetation indices (VIs) providing information to elucidate genotypic responses to the environment. In this study, we investigated the potential use of UAS-derived traits to elucidate biomass, nitrogen and chlorophyll content in sorghum under nitrogen stress treatments. A nitrogen stress trial located in Nebraska, USA, contained 24 different sorghum lines, 2 nitrogen treatments and 8 replications, for a total of 384 plots. Morphological and spectral traits including plant height, canopy cover and various VIs were derived from UAS flights with a true-color RGB camera and a 5-band multispectral camera at early, mid and late growth stages across the sorghum growing season in 2017. Simple and multiple regression models were investigated for sorghum biomass, nitrogen and chlorophyll content estimations using the derived morphological and spectral traits along with manual ground truthed measurements. Results showed that, the UAS-derived plant height was strongly correlated with manually measured plant height (r = 0.85); and the UAS-derived biomass using plant height, canopy cover and VIs had strong exponential correlations with the sampled biomass of fresh stalks and leaves (maximum r = 0.85) and the biomass of dry stalks and leaves (maximum r = 0.88). The UAS-derived VIs were moderately correlated with the laboratory measured leaf nitrogen content (r = 0.52) and the measured leaf chlorophyll content (r = 0.69) in each plot. The methods developed in this study will facilitate genetic improvement and agronomic studies that require assessment of stress responses in large-scale field trials.
Abstract 178: Predicting Employee Health and Cost: Application of Machine Learning on Employee Health Claims Data, Insights, and Possibilities

Background: Self-insured employers, which are majority in US, face an increasing financial burden as health care costs have increased relative to savings. By applying machine learning (ML) techniqu...
Angiogenesis in breast cancer

This chapter reviews the basic concepts of tumor angiogenesis as well as the role of measuring intratumoral micro vessel density as an independent prognostic indicator for predicting tumor growth and metastasis, not only in breast carcinoma, but also in other solid tumors. For a tumor to growth, the tumor cells must proliferate and the benign host tissues must form around the tumor cells. Moreover, to metastasize a variety of critically important interactions must occur between tumor cells and the non-neoplastic vasculature, immune system, and connective tissues. Tumor angiogenesis refers to the growth of new vessels toward and within the tumor. This tumor neovascularization is caused by factors released by the tumor cells and/or associated inflammatory cells. Initially, many investigators thought that tumor hyperemia resulted from expansion of pre-existing vessels [1,2], but during the last two to three decades it has become clear that tumor growth is dependent upon the growth of new vessels [3].
Synthesis and Characterization of ROSA Dye - A Rhodamine B-type Fluorophore, Suitable for Bioconjugation and Fluorescence Studies in Live Cells.

Background Herein we report the multigram-scale synthesis, characterization and application of a rhodamine B-based fluorophore (ROSA) suitable for fluorescent studies in biological applications. This fluorophore is devoid of rhodamine spirolactone formation and furthermore characterized by a high molar extinction coefficient (ϵ=87250 ± 1630 M-1cm-1) and quantum yield (φ) of 0.589 ± 0.070 in water. Reported here is also the application of ROSA towards synthesis of a ROSA-PEG-GRGDS-NH2 fluorescent probe suitable for live cell imaging of αvβ3 integrins for in vitro assays. Objectives The main objective of this study is to efficiently prepare rhodamine B derivative, devoid of spirolactone formation that would be suitable for bioconjugation and subsequent bioimaging. Methods Rhodamine B was transformed into rhodamine B succinimide ester (RhoB-OSu) using N-hydroxysuccinimide. RhoB-OSu was further coupled to sarcosine to obtain rhodamine Bsarcosine dye (ROSA) in good yield. The ROSA dye was then coupled to a αvβ3 integrin binding sequence using standard solid-phase conditions. Resulting ROSA-PEG-GRGDS-NH2 probe was used to image integrins on cancer cells. Results The rhodamine B-sarcosine dye (ROSA) was obtained in multigram scale in good total yield of 47%. Unlike rhodamine B, the ROSA dye does not undergo pH-dependent spirolactone/spirolactam formation as compared with rhodamine B-glycine. It is also characterized by excellent quantum yield (φ) of 0.589 ± 0.070 in water and high molar extinction coefficient of 87250 ± 1630 M-1cm-1. ROSA coupling to the RGD-like peptide was proved to be efficient and straightforward. Imaging using standard filters on multimode plate reader and confocal microscope was performed. The αvβ3 integrins present on the surface of live WM-266-4 (melanoma) and MCF- 7 (breast cancer) cells were successfully imaged. Conclusion We successfully derivatized rhodamine B to create an inexpensive, stable and convenient to use fluorescent probe. The obtained derivative has excellent photochemical properties and it is suitable for bioconjugation and many imaging applications.
Fluorescence Quenching Reactions

The quenching of the fluorescence of biomacromolecules by solute quenchers has become a widely used and powerful technique (Lehrer, 1976; Lehrer and Leavis, 1989; Lakowicz, 1983; Eftink and Ghiron, 1981; Eftink, 1991). Such quenching reactions have been used primarily to obtain topographical information about proteins, nucleic acids, and membrane systems. The accessibility of intrinsic or extrinsic fluorescence probes (e.g., the amino acid, tryptophan), which are attached to a biomacromolecule, to small quenchers (e.g., iodide, acrylamide, oxygen) is directly determined by such reactions. Conformational changes in the biomacromolecule can then be monitored in terms of changes in the accessibility to the quencher of the fluorophore. In addition to such topographical information, in some cases information about the conformational dynamics of globular proteins has been obtained with solute quenching reactions.
Cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, and sexual identity among high school students in the USA

Although tobacco use has decreased in the general population in recent years, smoking remains high among subpopulations. This study examined whether sexual identity is associated with cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use among high school students. Data were drawn from the US Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (n = 28811). We grouped participants according to sexual identity status. Propensity score matching technique was used to address covariate imbalance among sexual identity groups. Subgroup analyses were performed for male and female students. Of the four sexual identity groups analyzed in this study, bisexual adolescents had significantly higher odds of cigarette smoking (cigarette smoking, OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.24–2.08; cigarette smoking for ≥ 10 days, OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.28–2.51; cigarette smoking for ≥ 20 days, OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.38–3.03). Further, in a sex-based subgroup analysis, results showed significant differences, with bisexual females more likely to smoke cigarettes and use e-cigarettes for ≥ 20 days compared with heterosexual female adolescents. Conclusions: Sexual identity status is strongly associated with cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use. Female bisexual adolescents have an increased risk of cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use for ≥ 20 days. While tobacco control policies have been effective in reducing cigarette use in the general population, targeting policy toward sexual minorities is an important consideration.
Comparison of Cancer Specific Outcomes following Minimally Invasive and Open Surgical Resection of Early Stage Kidney Cancer from a National Cancer Registry

Purpose:With anecdotal observations of atypical recurrences following minimally invasive surgery and alongside new concerns following cervical cancer surgery, there is a need to evaluate cancer spe...
Automated Well Water Contamination Tester and Web Service

Clean water sustains life. Contamination puts health at risk. Municipal water in developed regions is regulated by government environmental protection agencies, but well-water is not regulated. Well-water typically has recommended water tests and recommended maximum allowed levels of key contaminants, but the responsibility falls to the owner of the well. Many well-owners do not have the training or resources to coordinate annual water tests, interpret the test results and take appropriate treatment actions, if necessary. The goal of this study was to develop an automatic water testing system and record the results in a web service database accessible by the well owner and appropriate stakeholders. An Arduino based testing system was developed that tested for pH level, coliform bacteria, total dissolved solids (TDS), and lead. These four tests do not cover all the regulated contaminants, but these test values would be affected by many of the other contaminants of interest. Thus, these four water tests can serve a screening function, to warn if water contamination levels may be changing and need closer examination by a certified water testing service. The prototype obtained sampled water from a reservoir, but the envisioned system would have the water intake mechanism directly connected to the plumbing of the building to automatically obtain samples. The function of the prototype appears promising. The test results were sent by WiFi over an HTTP Request to a web service that was developed for this project. The web service received HTTP requests, had a SQL database, and front-end web pages for user system configuration and observation of test results. Further testing and development are necessary toward deployment. Such a home-based automatic testing system would reduce the risk of well-water being contaminated, but still being consumed because the well-owner did not realize the level of the contamination. Risk to health for many people who rely on well-water would be reduced.
Optimal Design of a Novel 3-DOF Orientational Parallel Mechanism for Pelvic Assistance on a Wheelchair: An Approach Based on Kinematic Geometry and Screw Theory

Pelvis mobility is essential to the daily seated activities of wheelchair users, however it is not yet fully addressed in the field of active wearable devices. This letter presents a novel design and optimization methodology of an in-parallel actuated robotic brace for assisting the human pelvis during seated maneuvers on wheelchair. This design uses human data captured by cameras in conjunction with the knowledge of kinematic geometry and screw theory. The mechanism has full rotational three degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) and also accommodates coupled translation of the human pelvic segment. This type of motion was realized by employing three kinematic limbs that impose non-intersecting zero-pitch constraint wrenches on the platform. Our multi-objective optimization (MOO) routine consists of two stages: (I) platform constraint synthesis, where the geometric parameters of the limb constraints were determined to minimize the pelvis-platform errors of trajectories and instantaneous screw axes (ISAs); and (II) limb structural synthesis, where limb types and dimensions, workspace, transmission performances, singularities, and actuated joint displacements were considered. The optimized mechanism has an asymmetrical [ R RR]U-2[ R R]S architecture. This mechanism can also be integrated into our previously developed Wheelchair Robot for Active Postural Support (WRAPS).
A Mycotic Common Iliac Artery Pseudoaneurysm of Indeterminate Etiology

We present the unusual case of a mycotic right common iliac artery pseudoaneurysm caused by the methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) of indeterminate etiology in a healthy 57-year-old man with no risk factors for infection, trauma, or malignancy. The patient initially presented with worsening subacute right lower quadrant pain and was found to have a pseudoaneurysm of the right common iliac artery. Given concern for rupture on a computed tomography angiogram (CTA), he underwent exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm with a covered stent. At the time of presentation, he had no signs or symptoms of infection. However, the patient developed fever, chills, and worsening right lower quadrant pain 13 days after the index operation and was found to have a leukocytosis, blood cultures positive for MSSA, and progressive soft-tissue changes involving the right common iliac artery on CTA consistent with infection. He was definitively treated with stent explantation, aggressive debridement and replacement with an in situ cryopreserved bypass, and short-term suppressive antibiotic therapy.
Examples of Excess Risk Bounds in Prediction Problems

Empirical risk minimization with convex loss was studied in detail by Blanchard 324 et al. [26] and Bartlett et al. [16]. In the last paper, rather subtle bounds relating 325 excess risks with respect to a “surrogate” convex loss and with respect to the binary 326 classification loss were also studied. Earlier, Zhang [154] provided initial versions 327 of such bounds.
Two-phase flow in microchannels

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews recently published research dealing with gas-liquid two-phase flow in microchannels. Only microchannels with hydraulic diameters of the order of 0.1 to 1 mm and with long length-to-hydraulic diameter ratios are considered here. The hydrodynamic phenomena reviewed includes the two-phase flow regimes, void fraction, and frictional pressure drop in narrow rectangular and annular passages, a micro-rod bundle, and microchannels under conditions where surface tension and inertial forces are both significant. In these systems the channel characteristic dimension is of the same order of magnitude, or smaller than, the neutral interfacial wavelengths predicted by the Taylor stability analysis. The review is also restricted to situations where the fluid inertia is significant in comparison with surface tension. Such microchannels and flow conditions are encountered in miniature heat exchangers, research nuclear reactors, biotechnology systems, the cooling of high-power electronic systems, the cooling of the plasma-facing components in fusion reactors, and the heat rejection systems of spacecraft, to name a few. The flow through cracks and slits when such cracks develop in vessels and piping systems containing high-pressure liquids is another application of two-phase flow in microchannels of interest here.
Model-dependent contributions of FXII and FXI to venous thrombosis in mice.

Background The intrinsic pathway factors (F) XII and FXI have been shown to contribute to thrombosis in animal models. We assessed the role of FXII and FXI in venous thrombosis in three distinct mouse models. Methods Venous thrombosis was assessed in mice genetically deficient for either FXII or FXI. Three models were used: the inferior vena cava (IVC) stasis, IVC stenosis, and femoral vein electrolytic injury models. Results In the IVC stasis model, FXII and FXI deficiency did not affect the size of thrombi but their absence was associated with decreased levels of fibrin(ogen) and an increased level of the neutrophil extracellular trap marker citrullinated histone H3. In contrast, a deficiency of either FXII or FXI resulted in a significant and equivalent reduction in thrombus weight and incidence of thrombus formation in the IVC stenosis model. Thrombi formed in the IVC stenosis model contained significantly higher levels of citrullinated histone H3 compared with the thrombi formed in the IVC stasis model. Deletion of either FXII or FXI also resulted in a significant and equivalent reduction in both fibrin and platelet accumulation in the femoral vein electrolytic injury model. Conclusions Collectively, these data indicate that FXII and FXI contribute to the size of venous thrombosis in models with blood flow and thrombus composition in a stasis model. This study also demonstrates the importance of using multiple mouse models to assess the role of a given protein in venous thrombosis.
ProCAD: Looking at a Fuller Picture of the Teacher Candidate:

Definitions of effective teaching focus on three primary areas: performances, essential knowledge, and critical dispositions. While no one measure provides a complete picture of teacher effectivene...
Watch-and-Wait Strategy Is an Option for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Conservative observation of patients presenting with a first primary spontaneous pneumothorax is as effective as immediate chest tube insertion in achieving full lung re-expansion at eight weeks.
The Representation of Emotion Inferences

While research has repeatedly found evidence that readers infer characters’ emotions, we investigate three outstanding questions about the content and time course of such inferences. We ask whether...
Trigger happy or gun shy? Dissolving common‐value partnerships with Texas shootouts

The operating agreements of many business ventures include clauses to facilitate the exit of joint owners. In so-called Texas Shootouts, one owner names a single buy-sell price and the other owner is compelled to either buy or sell shares at that named price. Despite their prevalence in real-world contracts, Texas Shootouts are rarely triggered. In our theoretical framework, sole ownership is more efficient than joint ownership. Negotiations are frustrated, however, by the presence of asymmetric information. In equilibrium, owners eschew buy-sell offers in favor of simple offers to buy or to sell shares and bargaining failures arise. Experimental data support these findings.
Amaranthine: Humanoid Robot Kinematics

Humanoid robots are employed in a wide range of fields to replicate human actions. This paper presents the mechanism, configuration, mathematical modeling, and workspace of a 3D printed humanoid ro...