cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neonatal Exposure to a Self-Peptide–Immunoglobulin Chimera Circumvents the Use of Adjuvant and Confers Resistance to Autoimmune Disease by a Novel Mechanism Involving Interleukin 4 Lymph Node Deviation and Interferon γ–mediated Splenic Anergy

Induction of neonatal T cell tolerance to soluble antigens requires the use of incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). The side effects that could be associated with IFA and the ill-defined mechanism underlying neonatal tolerance are setbacks for this otherwise attractive strategy for prevention of T cell–mediated autoimmune diseases. Presumably, IFA contributes a slow antigen release and induction of cytokines influential in T cell differentiation. Immunoglobulins (Igs) have long half-lives and could induce cytokine secretion by binding to Fc receptors on target cells. Our hypothesis was that peptide delivery by Igs may circumvent the use of IFA and induce neonatal tolerance that could confer resistance to autoimmunity. To address this issue we used the proteolipid protein (PLP) sequence 139–151 (hereafter referred to as PLP1), which is encephalitogenic and induces experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL/J mice. PLP1 was expressed on an Ig, and the resulting Ig–PLP1 chimera when injected in saline into newborn mice confers resistance to EAE induction later in life. Mice injected with Ig–PLP1 at birth and challenged as adults with PLP1 developed T cell proliferation in the lymph node but not in the spleen, whereas control mice injected with Ig–W, the parental Ig not including PLP1, developed T cell responses in both lymphoid organs. The lymph node T cells from Ig–PLP1 recipient mice were deviated and produced interleukin (IL)-4 instead of IL-2, whereas the spleen cells, although nonproliferative, produced IL-2 but not interferon (IFN)-γ. Exogenous IFN-γ, as well as IL-12, restored splenic proliferation in an antigen specific manner. IL-12–rescued T cells continued to secrete IL-2 and regained the ability to produce IFN-γ. In vivo, administration of anti–IL-4 antibody or IL-12 restored disease severity. Therefore, adjuvant-free induced neonatal tolerance prevents autoimmunity by an organ-specific regulation of T cells that involves both immune deviation and a new form of cytokine- dependent T cell anergy.
Discriminative Training of Decoding Graphs for Large Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition

Finite-state decoding graphs integrate the decision trees, pronunciation model and language model for speech recognition into a unified representation of the search space. We explore discriminative training of the transition weights in the decoding graph in the context of large vocabulary speech recognition. In preliminary experiments on the RT-03 English Broadcast News evaluation set, the word error rate was reduced by about 5.7% relative, from 23.0% to 21.7%. We discuss how this method is particularly applicable to low-latency and low-resource applications such as real-time closed captioning of broadcast news and interactive speech-to-speech translation.
Reproductive performance and excretion of urinary estrogens and gonadotropins in the female pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea)

By retrospective review of colony records and determinations of urinary hormones we have described the reproductive profile of the female pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea). The pygmy marmoset is a nonseasonal breeder and gives birth to twins 76% of the time with single births occurring 16% and triplet births 8% of the time. Interbirth intervals ranged from 149-746 days. First births occurred to females between 24-42 months of age and 5-27 months post pairing. We measured urinary estrone, estradiol and estrone conjugates along with immunoreactive luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (LH/CG). The postpartum LH peak occurred a mean of 15.6 days following parturition. The conception rate was 69% following the postpartum ovulation. Levels of CG rose a mean of 19 days following the LH peak in conceptive cycles and remained elevated for a mean of 76 days. Gestational length was a mean of 141.9 days from the LH peak to parturition. Only one female of the five studied displayed ovarian cycles which were a mean of 27 days in length. Estradiol was the predominant urinary estrogen, however both estrone and estradiol were excreted in extremely high concentrations. LH peaks were discrete with urinary estrogens increasing at the time of the LH peak and remaining elevated throughout the luteal phase of the cycle.
A glucagon-like endocrine pathway in Drosophila modulates both lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis

The regulation of energy homeostasis is fundamental to all organisms. The Drosophila fat body serves as a repository for both triglycerides and glycogen, combining the energy storage functions of mammalian adipose and hepatic tissues, respectively. Here we show that mutation of the Drosophila adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR), a functional analog of the mammalian glucagon receptor, leads to abnormal accumulation of both lipid and carbohydrate. As a consequence of their obese phenotypes, AKHR mutants are markedly starvation resistant. We show that AKHR is expressed in the fat body, and, intriguingly, in a subset of gustatory neurons that mediate sweet taste. Genetic rescue experiments establish that the metabolic phenotypes arise exclusively from the fat body AKHR expression. Behavioral experiments demonstrate that AKHR mutants are neither sedentary nor hyperphagic, suggesting the metabolic abnormalities derive from a genetic propensity to retain energy stores. Taken together, our results indicate that a single endocrine pathway contributes to both lipid and carbohydrate catabolism in the Drosophila fat body.
MARS-S: Modeling and Reduction of Soft Errors in Sequential Circuits

Due to the shrinking of feature size and reduction in supply voltages, nanoscale circuits have become more susceptible to radiation induced transient faults. In this paper, the authors use a symbolic framework based on BDDs and ADDs that enables analysis of sequential circuit reliability from different aspects: output susceptibility to error, influence of individual gates on individual outputs and overall circuit reliability, and the dependence of circuit reliability on glitch duration, amplitude, and input patterns. The framework can be used for selective gate sizing targeting radiation hardening which is done only for gates with error impact exceeding a certain threshold. Using such a technique SER can be reduced by 80% for various threshold values, when applied to a subset of ISCAS'89 benchmarks
Wasted Ventilation Measured In Vitro with Eight Anesthetic Circuits with and without Inline Humidification

Compression of gases (Boyle's law) and circuit compliance are major determinants of anesthesia circuit function. The materials of which circuits are constructed and the use of heated humidifiers may result in clinically important variations in delivered minute ventilation (VE) secondary to variations in compression volume. We examined eight anesthetic circuits both with and without a heated humidifier in an in vitro setting. Compression volume was determined with a large calibrated syringe. Circuit efficiency was determined by measuring VE at multiple peak inflation pressures (PIP) while using a pediatric ventilator with fixed VE, respiratory rate, fresh gas flow, and I/E ratio. As expected, both compression volume and delivered VE highly correlated with the type of circuit and the pressure at which it was examined (P less than 0.001). Mapleson D circuits had the lowest compression volume and were the most efficient circuits (P less than 0.0001). Pediatric circle systems were intermediate and adult circle systems had the largest compression volume and were the least efficient. Humidifiers uniformly increased compression volume. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) the anesthetic circuit, its material, and the pressure at which it operates are important determinants of circuit function; 2) humidifiers increase compression volume; 3) Mapleson D circuits had the lowest compression volume and therefore were the most efficient; 4) highly compliant adult circuits may result in compression volume losses that exceed the tidal volume of a pediatric ventilator; 5) humidifiers with low volume and rigid tubing should have the least effect on minute ventilation; and 6) highly compliant adult circuits when used in the care of infants and small children must be used with caution.
Managing frozen heritage: Some challenges and responses

Abstract Archaeological and historical remains of great value are emerging from melting snow and ice across the globe as rising temperatures and changing weather patterns lead to the degradation and decline of snow patches, ice sheets and glaciers. Rescuing the heritage remains that exist within some of these sites is a serious challenge for cultural heritage management (CHM) systems and regimes in a number of ways. This paper is a review of some of these challenges. It begins with an overview of the geographical and chronological distribution of glacial archaeological sites and finds from around the world. The institutional CHM context within which this sub-discipline has emerged is described, as are some of the difficulties associated with managing frozen heritage sites and finds. An overview is also given of some of the field and methodological responses that have been applied in different regions until now. Finally, a number of management related issues in need of special attention in the future are highlighted.
The Role of Surface Tension in Breaking Waves

Breaking criteria in the vicinity of the crest, such as limit crest angle and limit form, and larger dimensions such as limit height (H/L) and breaker height (Hb/db)» are found experimentally to be significantly affected by change in surface tension. A number of wave types were examined, including periodic waves, solitary waves, and standing waves, over both constant depth and uniform slopes. Variations in natural waters in some cases were found to be of equivalent magnitude to those induced for the experiments. The conclusion is drawn that surface tension should be taken into account in development of a satisfactory theory of breakers. It is also an important factor in experimental studies, particularly engineering model studies involving breaking waves.
Onset Symptoms Analysis of 0 to 6-Year-Old Children with Mental Retardation

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between onset symptoms and onset age of 0 to 6-year-old children with mental retardation(MR).MethodsFrom Jan.2003 to Dec.2006,the clinical data of 1 101 children in Capital Institute of Pediatrics were retrospectively analyzed.Those children were 0-6 years old and were clinically diagnosed as MR according to Gessell Development Scale,Chinese Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale Intelligence and Social Adaptive Behavior Scale.Those data included physical signs,concomitant symptoms,classifications,and ages when MR symptoms were detected.The difference of the onset symptoms in different age groups was compared.SPSS 12.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results1.The ratio of male and female was 1.98 to 1.0.The youngest child was 1 month and the oldest one was 6 years old.The mean age was(3.05±1.65) years.Infants and toddlers accounted for 76.4% of the total cases.2.More than half of the MR children who were 0 to 6-year-old were either moderate or severe,more than one half.3.The onset symptoms of MR children with different age:dysmorphism(29.54%) and convulsion(28.64%) were the onset symptoms of children less than 6 months old;motor development delay(64.63%) was the onset symptom of MR children aging 6 months to 1 year old;motor development delay(45.96%) and language development delay(24.69%) were the onset symptoms of MR children aging 1 to 3 years old;and language development delay(43.46%) was onset symptom of MR children aging 3 to 6 years old,respectively.ConclusionsThe parents can easily find out moderate or severe MR children,but not easily find out early the communication disorder of MR children.Publicity and education about MR should be enhanced.When infants are found to have disability in expression by their eyes,they should see a doctor immediately.
Influences of Fractional Order Damping on Nonlinear Dynamics of Cracked Rotor

Nonlinear dynamics of cracked rotor system with fractional order damping is investigated with a response-dependent breathing crack model.The fourth order Runge-Kutta method and tenth order continued fraction expansion Euler(CFE-Euler) method are introduced to simulate the proposed system equation of fractional order cracked rotors.The effects of derivative order of damping,rotating speed ratio,crack depth,orientation angle of imbalance relative to the crack direction and mass eccentricity on the system dynamics are demonstrated by bifurcation diagram,Poincare map and rotor trajectory diagram.The results show that the rotor system gets chaotic,quasi-periodic and periodic as the fractional order increases.It is also found that the imbalance eccentricity level,crack depth,rotational speed,fractional damping and crack angle all exert considerable influence on the nonlinear behaviors of cracked rotor system.
Localized atrophy of the thalamus and slowed cognitive processing speed in MS patients

Background:Deep gray matter (DGM) atrophy is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), but no studies have investigated surface-based structure changes over time with respect to healthy controls (HCs). Mo...
Effects of recombinant human interleukin-11 on hematopoietic reconstitution in transplant mice: acceleration of recovery of peripheral blood neutrophils and platelets

We have examined the effects of recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11) on the recovery of peripheral blood cell counts and proliferation of progenitors and hematopoietic stem cells (day 12 colony-forming units-spleen-CFU-S12) in vivo using a mouse bone marrow (BM) and spleen cell transplantation model. Recovery of leukocytes was accelerated in animals receiving daily administration of rhIL-11 (100 micrograms/kg/d) and reached normal levels by day 14 posttransplantation. This increased total leukocyte count reflected mainly an increase in neutrophils. Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] < 1,500) was present in control transplant mice for 14 to 15 days, while in the rhIL-11-treated group, neutrophils recovered to normal by days 8 to 10 and continued to increase until day 19. Animals treated with rhIL-11 had only 1 day with ANC demonstrated < 500. Correspondingly, rhIL-11 treatment increased granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) derived from both spleen and BM cells. Higher doses of IL-11 increased CFU-GM nearly threefold and CFU-Mix fourfold to fivefold, while increasing burst-forming units-erythroid to a lesser degree. BM and spleen cellularity were both increased in IL-11-treated mice, but no increase in CFU-S12 was noted. In addition, in vivo daily administration of IL-11 increased peripheral platelet counts by threefold over control transplant mice at day 10 posttransplantation during the post-irradiation platelet nadir. Further treatment led to platelet counts higher than normal 18 days posttransplantation when control animals had just attained normal platelet counts. IL-11 can accelerate the recovery of the peripheral blood leukocytes, mainly neutrophils, and platelets in transplant mice, effects that may be clinically useful in future applications for BM transplantation and chemotherapy-related cytopenias.
Phenytoin-induced thrombocytopenia.

ObjectiveTo describe a patient with severe thrombocytopenia induced by the administration of phenytoin for prevention of seizures. A review of the literature supplements this case description to al...
SOLIDIFICATION STRUCTURES DEVELOPED IN UNDERCOOLED Al-Si AND Pb-Sb ALLOYS

Many microstructural modifications resulting from rapid solidification processing (RSP) are often dependent on undercooling. The droplet emulsion technique in conjunction with DTA affords a means by which large reproducible undercoolings can be measured at controlled cooling rates. This study highlights microstructure evolution in the faceted-nonfaceted Al-Si and Pb-Sb systems. In eutectic Pb-Sb droplets the attainable undercooling is 0.25 T M while undercooling in eutectic Al-Si droplets is limited to 0.14 T M by primary Si formation. A clear microstructural difference exists between Al-Si droplets at maximum undercooling and droplets nucleated by a primary Al substrate. However, in hypoeutectic Pb-Sb droplets the structure generated by heterogeneous nucleation is similar to morphologies obtained at intermediate undercoolings (0.21 T M ). The large differences in structures developed in Al-Si and Pb-Sb droplets are related to the different undercoolings.
Scattering vs. Biologic Hierarchies

The approach taken in this book toward ultrasonic scattering as a method of noninvasive evaluation of biologic systems is to divide the problem into separate scattering1 classes. The concentration or size of scattering centers relative to the resolution cell2 of the imaging system is used to develop a hierarchy of scattering classes that correlates with a hierarchy of biologic classes. Class 0 scattering occurs when there are only absorption or speed or perhaps nonlinearity variations present as scattering terms. Class 1 scattering occurs when the concentration of scatterers per resolution cell is high (25 or higher). This occurs in tissues such as blood or liver and results in speckle, the fine-grained noise familiar from laser light. Class 2 scattering occurs when the concentration of scatterers is less than about 1 per resolution cell. This can happen simultaneously with Class 1 scattering. Class 3 scattering occurs when the scatterers are large relative to the resolution cell and cause specular or minor-like reflection. We include a final type of scattering, Class 4, which is associated with motion causing Doppler shifts in the returned signal.
It’s Not Just Another Disease

Furthermore, urges the Thesis position, the uniqueness of this disease makes it an especially formidable enemy, and one that will be particularly difficult to get under any semblance of control.
Wideband nonlinear frequency conversion with OAM fiber

We propose >99% efficient wideband frequency conversion between visible and telecommunication bands for quantum networks and single-photon detection, enabled by the enhanced phase matching capabilities offered by intermodal Bragg scattering in OAM fibers.
A Gap in Time: Extending our Knowledge of Temporal Processing Deficits in the HIV-1 Transgenic Rat

Approximately 50 % of HIV-1 seropositive individuals develop HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), which commonly include alterations in executive functions, such as inhibition, set shifting, and complex problem solving. Executive function deficits in HIV-1 are fairly well characterized, however, relatively few studies have explored the elemental dimensions of neurocognitive impairment in HIV-1. Deficits in temporal processing, caused by HIV-1, may underlie the symptoms of impairment in higher level cognitive processes. Translational measures of temporal processing, including cross-modal prepulse inhibition (PPI), gap-prepulse inhibition (gap-PPI), and gap threshold detection, were studied in mature (ovariectomized) female HIV-1 transgenic (Tg) rats, which express 7 of the 9 HIV-1 genes constitutively throughout development. Cross-modal PPI revealed a relative insensitivity to the manipulation of interstimulus interval (ISI) in HIV-1 Tg animals in comparison to control animals, extending previously reported temporal processing deficits in HIV-1 Tg rats to a more advanced age, suggesting the permanence of temporal processing deficits. In gap-PPI, HIV-1 Tg animals exhibited a relative insensitivity to the manipulation of ISI in comparison to control animals. In gap-threshold detection, HIV-1 Tg animals displayed a profound differential sensitivity to the manipulation of gap duration. Presence of the HIV-1 transgene was diagnosed with 91.1 % accuracy using gap threshold detection measures. Understanding the generality and permanence of temporal processing deficits in the HIV-1 Tg rat is vital to modeling neurocognitive deficits observed in HAND and provides a key target for the development of a diagnostic screening tool.
REvolutionary Emergency Planning: Adding Resilience through Continuous Review

This article discusses how a library can revise its existing Emergency, Disaster and Continuity of Operations plans, through the utilization of an ongoing review cycle, new dissemination techniques, and expanded training protocols. While reviews of existing emergency plans typically happen in response to actual emergencies, flipping that scenario by conducting ongoing reviews with a small, dedicated committee will expand preparedness. The paper identifies important steps to follow in revising emergency plans and discusses incorporating e-book and short form formats to enhance training and documentation.
Animal models suggest the TRIP8b-HCN interaction is a therapeutic target for major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a substantial public health problem despite the existence of many available treatments. One issue with existing pharmacological options is that nearly all of...
Chromatin potentiates transcription

Chromatin isolated from the chromosomal locus of the PHO5 gene of yeast in a transcriptionally repressed state was transcribed with 12 pure proteins (80 polypeptides): RNA polymerase II, six general transcription factors, TFIIS, the Pho4 gene activator protein, and the SAGA, SWI/SNF, and Mediator complexes. Contrary to expectation, a nucleosome occluding the TATA box and transcription start sites did not impede transcription but rather, enhanced it: the level of chromatin transcription was at least sevenfold greater than that of naked DNA, and chromatin gave patterns of transcription start sites closely similar to those occurring in vivo, whereas naked DNA gave many aberrant transcripts. Both histone acetylation and trimethylation of H3K4 (H3K4me3) were important for chromatin transcription. The nucleosome, long known to serve as a general gene repressor, thus also performs an important positive role in transcription.
Echocardiography fails to detect left ventricular noncompaction in a cohort of patients with noncompaction on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Background Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare disorder characterized by increased left ventricular trabeculation, deep intertrabecular recesses, and a thin compacted myocardial layer with associated clinical sequelae. Cardiac imaging with echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMRI) can detect variable myocardial morphology including excessive trabeculations. Multiple CMRI and echocardiographic criteria have been offered that attempt to identify LVNC morphology. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of echocardiogram in identifying LVNC in a cohort of patients with LVNC detected on CMRI. Hypothesis Echocardiography fails to identify LVNC morphology in a large proportion of patients with LVNC/hypertrabeculation detected on CMRI. Methods There were 1060 CMRI studies collected from 2009 to 2015 at 2 institutions. The patients included in this study (n = 37) met the criteria for LVNC on CMRI and had complete CMRI and echocardiogram images Clinical and imaging data were retrospectively reviewed. Results Of the 37 patients with LVNC on CMRI, only 10 patients (27%) had LVNC identified on echocardiogram (P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval: 25.7%-66.2%). Echocardiography and CMRI were also significantly different in terms of identification of distribution of LVNC. Although 21 of 37 patients (57%) had evidence of LVNC in either the anterior or lateral walls on CMRI, there were 0 patients with LVNC detected in the anterior or lateral walls on echocardiogram (P = 0.019). Conclusions Echocardiogram fails to detect LVNC morphology/hypertrabeculation in a significant number of a cohort of patients with LVNC on CMRI. LVNC may be missed if echocardiogram is the only imaging modality performed in a cardiac evaluation.
Building Capacity for Collective Action to Address Population Health Improvement Through Communities of Practice: A Distance-Based Education Pilot:

Improving population health requires a comprehensive array of interventions across individual, organizational, and community levels. Integrating primary care and public health strategies through pa...
Abstract 317: A Congenic Mouse Model for Carotid Intima-Media Thickening Demonstrates that Leukocyte Infiltration is a Genetically Regulated Trait

We demonstrated that inflammation and intima-media thickening (IMT) are increased in carotids exposed to low blood flow in the SJL/J (SJL) mouse strain compared to other strains. We identified three novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes (chr) 2, 11, and 18 that control IMT in a genetic cross between C3HeB/FeJ (C3H/F) and SJL mice. Using a genetic backcross of C3H/FxSJL we measured inflammation in carotid IMT as a quantitative trait. Immunostaining for CD45+ (a pan-specific leukocyte marker) was performed on carotids from C3H/F, SJL, F1 and N2 progeny to measure leukocyte infiltration. A QTL for CD45+ cell infiltration was identified on chr11 (17cM, LOD=2.3). Interval mapping showed that the CD45+ locus accounted for 8% of the variation in the C3H/FxSJL backcross. Importantly, the CD45+ locus co-localized with our previously reported intima modifier 2 (Im2) locus. We created two Im2 congenic mice (C3H/F.SJL.11.1 and C3H/F.SJL.11.2) to define the contribution of chr11 to IMT. The C3H/F.SJL.11.1 congenic mouse showed elevated CD45+ staining in the vascular wall in response to low flow. Thus, the CD45+ trait partially explains the intima trait. This reveals a potential mechanistic relationship between leukocyte infiltration and IMT in response to decreased blood flow.
Semantics for tasks that can be interrupted or abandoned

It is often desirable to allow a robot in a dynamic, uncontrolled environment to interrupt or abandon some task that engages it. To facilitate this, it is helpful to include in the language of plans such control structure as “Carry out task T1 until condition Q becomes true,” or “Proceed with the execution of task T1 whenever it does not interfere with task T2.” To define such control structures formally, it is necessary to define what it means to begin carrying out a task, independently of whether the task is completed. This paper presents a formal semantics for a language of plans that includes these control structures, together with concurrency and partial specification. Such a semantics will support the formal verification of plans of this kind.
Practical approaches for introducing ECE & CS to high school students

This short paper presents a curriculum the author developed for introducing electrical and computer engineering (ECE) and computer science (CS) concepts to high school students. For enhancing the learning experience of the participants the program is built around a number of practical and fun activities which are meant to keep the students actively engaged. This material was offered for two cohorts of students and the author continues to improve it based on experiences and student feedback.
Response to Comment on “Is the nuclear refractive index lower than cytoplasm? Validation of phase measurements and implications for light scattering technologies”

Recently, Maxim A. Yurkin commented on our paper "Is the nuclear refractive index lower than cytoplasm? Validation of phase measurements and implications for light scattering technologies" as well as on a complementary study "Cell nuclei have lower refractive index and mass density than cytoplasm" from Schurmann et al. In his comment, Yurkin concluded that quantitative phase images of cells with nuclei that are less optically dense than the cytoplasm must exhibit a characteristic concavity, the absence of which is evidence against our conclusion of a less-dense nucleus. In this response, we suggest that Yurkin's conclusion is reached through an oversimplification of the spatial refractive index distribution within cells, which does not account for high index inclusions such as the nucleolus. We further cite recent studies in 3-dimensional refractive index imaging, in which the preponderance of studies supports our conclusion. Finally, we comment on the current state of knowledge regarding subcellular refractive index distributions in living cells.
Thought-based Linguistics: How Languages Turn Thoughts into Sounds

The extent to which language is inseparable from thought has long been a major subject of debate across linguistics, psychology, philosophy and other disciplines. In this study, Wallace Chafe presents a thought-based theory of language that goes beyond traditional views that semantics, syntax, and sounds are sufficient to account for language design. Language begins with thoughts in the mind of a speaker and ends by affecting thoughts in the mind of a listener. This obvious observation is seldom incorporated in descriptions of language design for two major reasons. First, the role of thought is usually usurped by semantics. But semantic structures are imposed on thought by languages and differ from one language to another. Second, thought does not lend itself to familiar methods of linguistic analysis. Chafe suggests ways of describing thoughts, traces the path languages follow from thoughts to sounds, and explores ways in which thoughts are oriented in time, memory, imagination, reality, and emotions.
The Use of a 3D‐printed Microfluidic Device and Pressure Mobilization for Integrating Capillary Electrophoresis with Electrochemical Detection

Capillary electrophoresis coupled with electrochemical detection can be a powerful analysis tool; however, previous methods developed to integrate these two techniques can often times be fragile and have alignment issues such that there are no commercially available approaches. In this paper, we present the use of a 3D-printed Wall-Jet Electrode device for integrating capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection. A pressure mobilization step was also utilized to further reduce noise by allowing the electrophoresis separation step to continue only until the first analyte was close to elution. Then, the separation voltage was terminated and pressure-based flow was used for elution of the analyte bands onto the electrode surface with a wall-jet configuration. It is shown that the pressure-based elution is beneficial for the reduction of baseline noise and elimination of field effects. A mixture of catecholamines were separated to demonstrate effectiveness of the system. In addition, the system was coupled with a Beckman Coulter commercial capillary electrophoresis instrument in a straightforward manner. The system was also shown to be effective in separations done with a high ionic strength physiological buffer. This 3D printing approach can be used by researchers to utilize electrochemical detection on commercial capillary electrophoresis systems by downloading the provided STL and/or CAD files.
CHEMISTRY OF ENERGETIC MATERIALS UNDER SHOCK CAUSED VIA ELECTRONIC EXCITATIONS

Explosives sensitivity to shock and impact have been related to electronic excitations for the first time, demonstrated by the linear correlation of sensitivity with the shake-up promotion energy observed in x-ray photoelectron spectra. The especial feature of the shake-up spectra is that they arise during the core ionization of the atom in the time frame of 10−14 sec., which is smaller than the transit time of the detonation wave over the dimensions of a molecule. The Coulomb attraction of the ionized state modifies the outer orbitals in ways analogous to those observed from high pressure or shock. The shake-up excitations follow monopole selection rules, resulting in excited states that are normally forbidden. Bond disruptions, free radical formation and molecular alterations may occur from the forbidden states with longer life-time. Analysis of explosives recovered from the verge of ignition due to shock or impact have demonstrated such alterations. The creation of these products through pressure induced electronic excitations is proposed in this work.
Stable and confined burn in a Revolver ignition capsule

The main burn phase physics in a Revolver ignition capsule is analyzed and found to exhibit a new feature where pusher stagnation is persistent and burn occurs with the fuel at a fixed volume. The pressure and density gradients at the fuel-pusher interface are both positive making it stable to Rayleigh-Taylor growth. Expansion cooling and RT mixing are absent from the Revolver burn during this time. The effect is due to the massive heavy metal pusher shell being compressed during implosion and heated on an inner layer by the Marshak wave. The pusher is driven to a higher pressure than the DT fuel and becomes a fuel confining shell starting at stagnation and continuing past the time of peak burn. This period of persistent stagnation lasts for approximately 100 ps (in the baseline design) with a fuel burnup during stagnation of 40%. This behavior does not occur in any other capsule designs, including the double shell schemes that also employ a heavy metal pusher.The main burn phase physics in a Revolver ignition capsule is analyzed and found to exhibit a new feature where pusher stagnation is persistent and burn occurs with the fuel at a fixed volume. The pressure and density gradients at the fuel-pusher interface are both positive making it stable to Rayleigh-Taylor growth. Expansion cooling and RT mixing are absent from the Revolver burn during this time. The effect is due to the massive heavy metal pusher shell being compressed during implosion and heated on an inner layer by the Marshak wave. The pusher is driven to a higher pressure than the DT fuel and becomes a fuel confining shell starting at stagnation and continuing past the time of peak burn. This period of persistent stagnation lasts for approximately 100 ps (in the baseline design) with a fuel burnup during stagnation of 40%. This behavior does not occur in any other capsule designs, including the double shell schemes that also employ a heavy metal pusher.
Debye-Hückel theory of weakly curved macroions: Implementing ion specificity through a composite Coulomb-Yukawa interaction potential.

The free energy of a weakly curved, isolated macroion embedded in a symmetric 1:1 electrolyte solution is calculated on the basis of linear Debye-Huckel theory, thereby accounting for nonelectrostatic Yukawa pair interactions between the mobile ions and of the mobile ions with the macroion surface, present in addition to the electrostatic Coulomb potential. The Yukawa interactions between anion-anion, cation-cation, and anion-cation pairs are independent from each other and serve as a model for solvent-mediated ion-specific effects. We derive expressions for the free energy of a planar surface, the spontaneous curvature, the bending stiffness, and the Gaussian modulus. It is shown that a perturbation expansion, valid if the Yukawa interactions make a small contribution to the overall free energy, yields simple analytic results that exhibit good agreement with the general free energy over the range of experimentally relevant interaction parameters.
Misinformation Control in the Internet of Battlefield Things: A Multiclass Mean-Field Game

In this paper, the problem of misinformation propagation is studied for an Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT) system in which an attacker seeks to inject false information in the IoBT nodes in order to compromise the IoBT operations. In the considered model, each IoBT node seeks to counter the misinformation attack by finding the optimal probability of accepting a given information that minimizes its cost at each time instant. The cost is expressed in terms of the quality of information received as well as the infection cost. The problem is formulated as a mean-field game with multiclass agents which is suitable to model a massive heterogeneous IoBT system. For this game, the mean-field equilibrium is characterized, and an algorithm based on the forward backward sweep method is proposed. Then, the finite IoBT case is considered, and the conditions of convergence of the equilibria in the finite case to the mean-field equilibrium are presented. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme can achieve a two-fold increase in the quality of information (QoI) compared to the baseline when the nodes are always transmitting.
Program Development of Integrated Psychological Services for Hospitalized Patients with Intravenous Drug Use Histories

Amid rising trends in opioid use, hospitalizations for health conditions secondary to intravenous drug use are becoming more common. Such patients often require prolonged hospitalizations and frequently present with substance use histories, co-occurring mental health diagnoses, and unique behavioral health needs. These issues can adversely impact completion of medical treatment and place added burden on hospital staff. There is a growing need for medical institutions to develop policies and procedures which address the specific emotional, behavioral, and substance use needs of this patient population. Because guidelines for doing so are sparse in the literature, this study outlines the University of Vermont Medical Center's process of developing an in-hospital care agreement intended to (1) increase patient access to in-hospital need assessments, psychotherapy, and medication for opioid use disorders, (2) increase referrals for opioid use treatment beyond hospitalization, (3) standardize staff response to common challenging behaviors, and (4) provide staff with education and support for interacting with patients in effective ways. The multidisciplinary process of developing this care agreement, its specific details, lessons learned, and anticipated future directions are also discussed.
A case-crossover analysis of the relationship of air pollution with out-of-hospital sudden unexpected death in Wake County, North Carolina (2013-2015).

Out-of-hospital sudden unexpected deaths are non-accidental deaths that occur without obvious underlying causes and may account for 10% of natural deaths before age 65. Short-term exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with all-cause (non-accidental) and cause-specific (e.g., cardiovascular) mortality, and with immediate exposures often yielding the highest magnitude risk estimates. Few studies have focused on short-term exposure to air pollution and sudden unexpected deaths. Using the University of North Carolina Sudden Unexpected Death in North Carolina population, we examine associations between short-term criteria air pollutant exposures with sudden unexpected deaths using a time-stratified case-crossover design, with data on criteria air pollutants from the Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality System. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression with air pollutant exposures scaled to roughly inter-quartile ranges; models were adjusted for average temperature and relative humidity on event day and preceding 3 days. Potential for confounding by co-pollutants were examined in two pollutant models. ORs for PM2.5 at lag day 1 were elevated (adjusted OR for 5 μg/m3 increase: 1.17 (0.98, 1.40)), and were robust to co-pollutant adjustment. Elevated odds were observed for SO2 at lag day 0, and reduced odds for O3 at lag day 0; however, these associations were somewhat attenuated toward the null (SO2) or were not robust (O3) to co-pollutant adjustment. This analysis in a racially and socioeconomically diverse cohort, with a more inclusive definition of sudden unexpected death than is typically employed offers evidence that PM2.5 may be a clinically relevant trigger of sudden unexpected deaths in susceptible individuals.
Role of Internal Membrane-Located Receptors in Intracellular Trafficking

Substantial proportions of so-called surface receptors are frequently found associated with internal membranes. In several examples, it has been established rigorously that contamination by fragments of cell surface membrane is not the explanation. Certain receptors such as those for the phosphomannosyl enzymes of lysosomes may serve as recognition signals to direct intracellular trafficking. Others, such as insulin receptors of the Golgi apparatus, may play a regulatory role. The possibility of more than one type of receptor in different parts of the cell binding the same ligand also arises from ganglioside-fibronectin interactions. The need for regulation of intracellular trafficking and the conceivable involvement of membrane-located receptors in this process provide a challenging problem for future studies.
Focal Suppression of Epileptiform Activity in the Hippocampus by a High-frequency Magnetic Field

Abstract Electric current has been used for epilepsy treatment by targeting specific neural circuitries. Despite its success, direct contact between the electrode and tissue could cause side effects including pain, inflammation, and adverse biological reactions. Magnetic stimulation overcomes these limitations by offering advantages over biocompatibility and operational feasibility. However, the underlying neurological mechanisms of its action are largely unknown. In this work, a magnetic generating system was assembled that included a miniature coil. The coil was positioned above the CA3 area of mouse hippocampal slices. Epileptiform activity (EFA) was induced with low Mg2+/high K+ perfusion or with 100 µM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). The miniature coil generated a sizable electric field that suppressed the local EFA in the hippocampus in the low-Mg2+/high-K+ model. The inhibition effect was dependent on the frequency and duration of the magnetic stimulus, with high frequency being more effective in suppressing EFA. EFA suppression by the magnetic field was also observed in the 4-AP model, in a frequency and duration – dependent manner. The study provides a platform for further investigation of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy treatment with time varying magnetic fields.
Dark field on a chip

Dark-field microscopy is a widely used imaging method that emphasizes sharp edges and other small features, but typically requires specialized microscope components. Researchers have now engineered special substrates that enable dark-field microscopy using simple bright-field microscopes.
Plasmablastic Lymphoma Found on Autopsy in a Post-Transplant Patient.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive lymphoma often seen in immunodeficient patients. It can be a diagnostic challenge given its high-grade appearance and lack of staining for traditional B-cell markers. We present an interesting case of a 65-year-old African-American female who presented to the emergency department (ED) with complaints of progressively worsening weakness, fatigue, and dizziness for one month, and dark-colored urine for three days. The patient's medical history was remarkable for a renal and pancreatic transplant in 2008.
Utility of CT in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve abnormalities.

BACKGROUND Patients with prosthetic heart valves (PHV) are at an increased risk of endocarditis and dysfunction. Knowledge about the etiology of dysfunction and extent of endocarditis can have distinct treatment implications. Echocardiography has limitations due to PHV-related artifacts. We hypothesized that computed tomography (CT) will have incremental value over echocardiography for evaluation of PHV abnormalities with surgical findings as the reference standard. METHODS Consecutive patients with PHV that had a reoperation for valve replacement, had a contrast chest CT and echocardiogram within 1 year of the reoperation, between 2010 and 2018 at a single academic center formed the study cohort. CTs and echocardiograms were assessed for potential etiologies of dysfunction (valve degeneration, pannus and thrombus); and for extent of endocarditis (vegetation, abscess, and pseudoaneurysm). RESULTS Seventy-three patients (65.8% male, mean age 62.1 ± 16.5 years) formed the study cohort. The indication for reoperation was PHV dysfunction in 51 and PHV endocarditis in 22. Compared to echocardiography, CT diagnosed the etiology of PHV dysfunction in 17 (33.3%) more patients (9 valve degeneration, 8 pannus). In the PHV endocarditis cohort, CT failed to detect one vegetation and one abscess, whereas echocardiography failed to detect 1 abscess. In combination, CT and echocardiography demonstrated all the vegetations and abscesses. CONCLUSION CT may provide superior characterization in comparison to echocardiography for the identification of the cause of prosthetic valve dysfunction, and complementary information to echocardiography for the evaluation of prosthetic valve endocarditis.
Quantifying volume loss of a magnetically localized ferrofluid bolus in pulsatile pipe flow

Abstract We report on experiments in a model blood vessel of miscible ferrofluid regions held in place by permanent magnets of different strengths and subject to pulsatile flow at various Womersely numbers of O ( 10 ) . Using image analysis, we quantify the dependence of ferrofluid volume loss, or “wash away,” rate due to hydrodynamic processes, identifying two distinct regimes. Complementary PIV allows visualization of the flow fields that correlate with volume loss, suggesting that volume loss may be a complex combination of vortex shedding during the primary pulse and re-combination during quiescent phase.
Thoracoscopic resection of left atrial appendage aneurysm in a 16-year-old boy

We report a case of a left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) in a 16-year-old boy presenting with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The aneurysm was detected incidentally on a routine echocardiogram performed before an electrophysiology study for evaluation and management of the SVT. The aneurysm was successfully resected under cardiopulmonary bypass through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. This type of surgery is a useful approach for LAAA in the pediatric population.
Is courtroom discourse an ‘oral’ or ‘literate’ register? The importance of sub-register:

By applying Multi-Dimensional Analysis, this study has provided a thorough description of the lexico-grammatical characteristics of courtroom discourse to see to what extent it employs both linguis...