cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust stabilization with positive real uncertainty: beyond the small gain theorem

The properties of positive real transfer functions are used to guarantee robust stability in the presence of positive real (but otherwise unknown) plant uncertainty. These results are then used for controller synthesis to address the problem of robust stabilization in the presence of positive real uncertainty. One of the principal motivations for these results is to utilize phase information in guaranteeing robust stability. In this sense these results go beyond the usual limitations of the small gain theorem and quadratic Lyapunov functions, which may be conservative when phase information is available. The results of this study are based upon a Riccati equation formulation of the positive real lemma and thus resemble certain Riccati-based approaches to bounded real (H/sub infinity /) control. >
Influence of Land Surface Fluxes on Precipitation: Inferences from Simulations Forced with Four ARM–CART SCM Datasets

Abstract Four different Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program Cloud and Radiation Test Bed (ARM–CART) Single-Column Model (SCM) datasets were used to force an SCM in a number of simulations performed to study the influence of land surface fluxes on precipitation. The SCM employed Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-2) GCM physics, which includes a recent version of prognostic cloud scheme (Microphysics of Clouds with Relaxed Arakawa–Schubert), and a land model (Simplified Simple Biosphere Model) coupled to a highly resolved soil hydrological description in the vertical. The four ARM–CART datasets employed in these studies are referred as case 1, case 3, case 4, and case 8. The SCM simulation results broadly confirm the previous findings that an increase in the solar absorption and surface evaporation helps to increase the local rainfall, but they also reveal that the magnitude of the rainfall increase is strongly affected by the ability of the background circulation to promote moist convection. The s...
First record of Macrolabis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in America: a new inquiline species from Dasineura folliculi galls on goldenrods

Macrolabis americana Dorchin n. sp. is a newly discovered species of inquilinous gall midge found in galls of Dasineura folliculi Felt on two goldenrod species, Solidago rugosa Miller and Solidago gigantea Aiton (Asteraceae) in central Pennsylvania. This is the first record of Macrolabis outside the Palaearctic, where the genus is represented by 58 species. Contrary to what is known of most Macrolabis species, the new species is multivoltine and is found in galls induced by successive generations of D. folliculi. Despite certain biological similarities to Macrolabis solidaginis Fedotova, which is associated with Dasineura galls on goldenrod in Kazakhstan, its relations to its Eurasian congeners are currently unknown. Adults, larvae, galls, and life history of the new species are described.
THE USE OF MUTANT MYELOMA CELLS TO EXPLORE THE PRODUCTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS

Abstract: A method has been developed for identifying and quantifying mouse myeloma cells which have undergone mutations in immunoglobulin production. Such variants arise at a very high rate both spontaneously and with mutagenesis. Mutagenesis results in primary sequence variants which are blocked in a variety of steps in the synthesis, assembly, glycosylation, and secretion of H chains. These mutants can be used to investigate the production and genetic control of immunoglobulins.
IDC System Specification Document Version 1.1.

This document contains the system specifications derived to satisfy the system requirements found in the IDC System Requirements Document for the IDC Reengineering Phase 2 project. Revisions Version Date Author/Team Revision Description Authorized by V1.0 12/2014 IDC Reengineering Project Team Initial delivery M. Harris V1.1 2/2015 IDC Reengineering Project Team Iteration I2 Review Comments M. Harris
Privacy in India - Country Report - October 2011

Although not specifically referenced in the Constitution of India, the Right to Privacy is considered a ‘penumbral right’ under the Constitution i.e. a right that has been declared by the Supreme Court as integral to the Fundamental Right to Life and Liberty and Freedom of Expression. In addition, although no single statute confers a cross-cutting ‘horizontal’ right to privacy to indian citizens, various statutes and regulatory instruments contain provisions which either implicitly or explicitly preserve this right. This paper attempts to provide a detailed tracking of the fate of privacy in India drawn both from constitutional and statutory regimes, as well as newspaper accounts. This is my unfinished draft of a Country Study on Privacy in India commissioned by IDRC/Privacy International in 2010-2011. The draft has been circulating for a while on a number of websites, and has been cited in a few other papers without my name. I'm posting it here as a venue to park it while I complete it and to enable it to be cited appropriately.
The mechanical behavior of interconnect materials for electronic packaging

A variety of new materials are needed for solder interconnects in electronic packages for high- and low-temperature applications. This article compares the mechanical behavior of low-temperature materials (Sn-40In-20Pb, Sn-58Bi, and a silver-loaded conductive adhesive) and high-melting-temperature solders (Sn-3.5Ag, Sn-3.4Ag-4.8Bi, and Sn-4.7 Ag-1.7Cu) to near-eutectic Sn-40Pb solder. The results indicate that there are promising materials alternatives to the traditional Sn-Pb solders in electronic interconnect applications.
Abstract 701: A mechanistic study of mdr1a gene regulation in vivo using bioimaging

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The human P-glycoprotein (Pgp) encoded by the MDR1 gene is as a transmembrane drug transporter that mediates the efflux of drugs from cells. It confers multidrug resistance in cancer cells that overexpress MDR1. In addition, basal expression of MDR1 in organs such as liver, kidney, and colon affects the pharmacokinetics of drug uptake and excretion for agents that are substrates for Pgp transport. Nuclear receptors such as SXR and CAR have been suggested as possible master regulators of xenobiotic- and drug-inducible expression of MDR1 and of other genes involved in drug metabolism in drug processing organs. However, the mechanism of MDR1 regulation in tumors or in normal, non-malignant tissue, particularly in response to xenobiotics, has yet to be demonstrated in vivo. To facilitate the mechanistic study of MDR1 gene regulation in vivo, we previously reported a mouse model that allows non-invasive bioimaging of the mdr1 gene expression in vivo and in real time by inserting a firefly luciferase (fLUC) gene into the murine mdr1a genetic locus by homologous recombination.1 To determine the role of PXR, the murine homologue of SXR, in drug-mediated induction of mdr1a, we crossed mdr1a.fLUC mice with PXR knockout mice. Pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN), a known SXR substrate, induced intestinal mdr1a.fLUC expression in the PXR wild type background but not the PXR knockout background. Notably, mdr1a.fLUC was re-inducible over three rounds of drug dosing, which could be measured longitudinally in our real-time assessment of gene expression. TCPOBOP, a known CAR ligand, induced mdr1a.fLUC in both the wild type and knockout background, consistent with the idea that mdr1a is also regulated by the CAR nuclear receptor. The chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel induced mdr1a.fLUC in the PXR wild type background but induction was dramatically reduced in the PXR KO background; paclitaxel gave only low-level induction in both genetic backgrounds. This result is consistent with the reported ligand specificity of mouse PXR. Future studies in a CAR-null background will determine if the observed effect of paclitaxel on mdr1a expression is mediated through CAR. These studies demonstrate the utility of our murine imaging model for the in vivo study of mdr1 gene regulation in real time. Studies with additional chemotherapeutic drugs and genetic backgrounds will establish the variety of agents capable of inducing mdr1a at the transcriptional level and the trans-acting factors that are involved in such induction. 1Gu et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci 106:5394-5399 (2009) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 701. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-701
Examining the Effects of Tourism Impacts on Resident Quality of Life : Evidence from Rural Midwestern Communities in USA

AbstractTourism impacts studies have identified three major types of positive-negative tourism impacts that dynamically change residents’ life experiences and their evaluation of tourism development. This study examines three specific impacts, perceived social costs, environmental sustainability, and perceived economic benefit, to determine their effects on resident perceived quality of life. The results indicate that the social cost dimension has no significant effect on resident quality of life, however both environmental sustainability and perceived economic benefit dimensions significantly affect resident quality of life.
Distinct MicroRNA Expression Signatures of Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells under Mouse and Human ESC Culture Conditions

It is well known that microRNAs play a very important role in regulating reprogramming, pluripotency and cell fate decisions. Porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) are now available for studying the pluripotent regulation network in pigs. Two types of piPSCs have been derived from human and mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) culture conditions: hpiPSCs and mpiPSCs, respectively. The hpiPSCs were morphologically similar to human ESCs, and the mpiPSCs resembled mouse ESCs. However, our current understanding of the role of microRNAs in the development of piPSCs is still very limited. Here, we performed small RNA sequencing to profile the miRNA expression in porcine fibroblasts (pEFs), hpiPSCs and mpiPSCs. There were 22 differential expressed (DE) miRNAs down-regulated in both types of piPSCs compared with pEFs, such as ssc-miR-145-5p and ssc-miR-98. There were 27 DE miRNAs up-regulated in both types of piPSCs compared with pEFs. Among these up-regulated DE miRNAs in piPSCs, ssc-miR-217, ssc-miR-216, ssc-miR-142-5p, ssc-miR-182, ssc-miR-183 and ssc-miR-96-5p have much higher expression levels in mpiPSCs, while ssc-miR-106a, ssc-miR-363, ssc-miR-146b, ssc-miR-195, ssc-miR-497, ssc-miR-935 and ssc-miR-20b highly expressed in hpiPSCs. Quantitative stem-loop RT-PCR was performed to confirm selected DE miRNAs expression levels. The results were consistent with small RNA sequencing. Different expression patterns were observed for key miRNA clusters, such as the miR-17-92 cluster, the let-7 family, the miR-106a-363 cluster and the miR-182-183 cluster, in the mpiPSCs and hpiPSCs. Novel miRNAs were also predicted in this study, including a putative porcine miR-302 cluster: ssc_38503, ssc_38503 and ssc_38501 (which resemble human miR-302a and miR-302b) found in both types of piPSCs. The miR-106a-363 cluster and putative miR-302 cluster increased the reprogramming efficiency of pEFs. The study revealed significant differences in the miRNA signatures of hpiPSCs and mpiPSCs under different pluripotent states that were derived from different culture conditions. These differentially expressed miRNAs may play important roles in pluripotent regulation in pigs, and this information will facilitate the understanding of the mechanism of pluripotency in pigs.
SAT0587 Rheumatologists' Estimates of Prognosis without and with Treatment in Routine Care of Patients with RA, SLE, OA, FM:

Background Physician estimates of prognosis affect management of patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. Different rheumatic diseases may be associated with varying estimates of the value of therapy in affecting prognosis in individual patients. Therefore, two simple quantitative scales for prognosis without and with therapy, may be useful as a form of “triage,” to support and document the basis for clinical decisions in patient care. Objectives To analyze physician estimates of prognosis without and with treatment in 4 rheumatic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia (FM), seen in routine care at an academic rheumatology center. Methods All patients complete a multi-dimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) at each visit, and doctors complete a RheuMetric, which includes prognosis estimated without and with therapy as excellent=1, very good=2, good=3, fair=4, and poor=5. Patients seen over a six-month period in 2015 were classified according to diagnosis into four categories: RA, SLE, OA, and FM. Mean levels of prognosis without and with therapies, and the differences between estimates with and without therapies, were compared for each diagnosis according to ANOVA. Results The study included 791 patients, 231 with RA, 146 with SLE, 263 with OA, and 151 with FM. Mean estimate for prognosis without therapy in all patients was 2.67 (between “fair” and “good” - closer to “fair”); estimates were in a relatively narrow range from 2.55 in OA to 2.60 in SLE, 2.75 in RA, and 2.81 in FM (Table). Estimates of prognosis with therapy in all patients was 1.76 (between “good” and “very good” – closer to good), a difference of 0.91 units from the prognosis without therapy (34%, p Conclusions Rheumatologists estimated improvement with therapy to be greatest for patients with RA, followed by SLE, OA, and FM. While these findings have face validity, they demonstrate the practicality of assigning quantitative estimates of prognosis in routine care. Quantitative estimates of prognosis rather than narrative descriptions may influence clinical decisions and help document a rationale for treatment choices. Disclosure of Interest I. Castrejon: None declared, J. Chua: None declared, J. Block: None declared, T. Pincus Shareholder of: Health Report Services, Inc
Event-triggered stabilization of scalar linear systems under packet drops

This paper considers scalar linear systems with process noise and packet drops between the sensor and the controller. Motivated by considerations about the efficient use of resources, we design an event-triggered transmission policy to ensure exponential convergence of the second moment of the plant state to an ultimate bound in finite time. Our technical approach evaluates the satisfaction of the control objective in an online fashion and designs an event-triggering policy that is specifically tailored to it. In addition to formally establishing that the event-triggered policy meets the desired objective, we also quantify its efficiency by providing an upper bound on the fraction of expected number of transmissions over the system executions. Simulations illustrate the results.
Abstract 479: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Does Not Impair ABCA-1 and SR-B1-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux Capacity

Background: Autoimmune disease in adults significantly increase atherosclerotic burden and cardiovascular risk, potentially secondary to impaired high density lipoprotein (HDL) function. It is unkn...
Displaying Special Collections Online

ABSTRACTThis article explores ways of creating an online presence for Special Collections. Options available for institutions limited by budget are explored, progressing from the point of initially considering going digital, and then on through the steps of digitization to online platforms. This article centers more on practicalities of creating an online presence more than on arguments for why an institution should have one. Ultimately, the individual institution has to decide what is best for their collection and act from there.
Sense of Things

An inquiry into onto-epistemology, this essay investigates the reciprocal production of aesthesis and empiricism, both the seemingly scientific and the perceptual knowledge that signifies otherwise under conditions of imperial Western humanism. In a reading of Nalo Hopkinson’s Brown Girl in the Ring (1998), I argue that as an enabling condition of imperial Western humanism, the black mater(nal) is foreclosed by the dialectics of hegemonic common sense and that the anxieties stimulated by related signifiers, such as the black(ened) maternal image, voice, and lifeworld, allude to the latent symbolic-material capacities of the black mater(nal), as mater , as matter, to destabilize or even rupture the reigning order of representation that grounds the thought-world relation. In other words, the specter of the black mater(nal)—that is, nonrepresentability—haunts the terms and operations tasked with adjudicating the thought-world correlate or the proper perception of “the world” such as hierarchical distinctions between reality and illusion, Reason and its absence, subject and object, science and fiction, and speculation and realism, which turn on attendant aporias pertaining to immanence and transcendence. Exploring the mind-body-social nexus in Hopkinson’s fiction, I contend that in Brown Girl vertigo is evoked as both a symptom and a metaphor of inhabiting a reality discredited (a blackened reality) that is at once the experience of the carceral and the apprehension of a radically redistributed sensorium. I argue the black mater(nal) holds the potential to transform the terms of reality and feeling, therefore rewriting the conditions of possibility of the empirical.
Two Genetic Loci associated with Medial Collateral Ligament Injury.

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries are a common knee injury, especially in competitive athletes. Identifying genetic loci associated with MCL injury could shed light on its etiology. A genome-wide association screen was performed using data from the Research Program in Genes, Environment and Health (RPGEH) including 1 572 cases of MCL injury and 100 931 controls. 2 SNPs (rs80351309 and rs6083471) showed an association with MCL injury at genome-wide significance (p
Neurectomy for anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome in children

Abstract Introduction Anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is an underrecognized etiology of chronic abdominal pain that causes great morbidity to those affected. We sought to determine the outcome of neurectomy for ACNES in children. Methods Demographic and clinical data on children who underwent neurectomy for ACNES by a single surgeon from 10/2011 to 01/2017 were reviewed. Results Twenty-six patients underwent neurectomy for ACNES. Five were male and average age was 15years (10–21). Median (IQR) preoperative pain duration was 15 (8–29) months and 19 reported their pain was 10/10 (6–10). Thirteen patients were taking antidepressants, 12 Gabapentin, and 4 narcotics. Most had been hospitalized at least once secondary to the pain. All 26 had undergone diagnostic studies including: nuclear medicine scan, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, sonography, endoscopy and surgery. Once the diagnosis was suspected, all underwent at least one ultrasound-directed nerve block, which provided relief lasting from 6h to 14days. Patients then underwent outpatient surgery with division of the involved nerve(s). There were no perioperative complications. Most patients reported incisional discomfort for 3–14days afterward, and immediate resolution of the nerve pain without cutaneous numbness. Postoperatively, 15 patients (58%) were pain free long-term; pain recurred to a lesser severity in 8 (31%) and recurred to the same extent in 3 (11%), with average time to recurrence of 6.7months. Of those whose pain recurred to a lesser extent, all achieved long term relief, 4 improved with time, 1 through repeat neurectomy, 2 through medical treatment for underlying psychiatric disorders and 1 through treatment for newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease. Of those children with pain recurring to the same extent, all underwent repeat neurectomy, none of whom achieved pain relief. Conclusion ACNES should be considered in children with chronic abdominal pain. Neurectomy is safe and relieves pain in around 88% of selected children. Further investigation is necessary to optimize patient selection. Level of evidence IV.
Sources of background light on space based laser communications links

We discuss the sources and levels of background light that should be expected on space based laser communication (lasercom) crosslinks and uplinks, as well as on downlinks to ground stations. The analyses are valid for both Earth orbiting satellites and inter-planetary links. Fundamental equations are derived suitable for first order system engineering analyses of potential lasercom systems. These divide sources of background light into two general categories: extended sources which fill the field of view of a receiver’s optics, and point sources which cannot be resolved by the optics. Specific sources of background light are discussed, and expected power levels are estimated. For uplinks, reflected sunlight and blackbody radiation from the Earth dominates. For crosslinks, depending on specific link geometry, sources of background light may include the Sun in the field of view (FOV), reflected sunlight and blackbody radiation from planets and other bodies in the solar system, individual bright stars in the FOV, the amalgam of dim stars in the FOV, zodiacal light, and reflected sunlight off of the transmitting spacecraft. For downlinks, all of these potentially come into play, and the effects of the atmosphere, including turbulence, scattering, and absorption contribute as well. Methods for accounting for each of these are presented. Specific examples are presented to illustrate the relative contributions of each source for various link geometries.
Transmission and Reception by Nonreflecting UWB Antennas

The objective of this paper is to study the operation of various well-known antennas over a broad frequency range. It is seen that all of the antennas show resonant properties, that is numerous reflections exist in the output waveform in the time domain. It is useful to convert the structure to a traveling wave antenna.
TRENDS IN SOVIET CYBERNETICS

The initial stages of Soviet cybernetics and its application to the humanities were markedly influenced by the role of mathematicians and logicians with a natural penchant for abstract detachment from variables and for lucid presentation of complex problems. Gradually, however, the scientific rigor imposed on the humanities has given away to the language of social science or, more specifically, to the historians primarily concerned with the problem of cultural relativism. The combination of the formalization and reductionism of the exact sicences, on the one hand, and a central focus of attention on the traditional objects of study of the humanities, on the other, constitute the basis for the most important differential tendencies which are traced and discussed in the proposed paper: its aim is to provide a concise historical survey and to discuss the potentials and outlooks.
Airborne Videography to Identify Spatial Plant Growth Variability for Grain Sorghum

Much research has focused on the use of intensive grid soil sampling and yield monitors to identify within-field spatial variability in precision farming. This paper reports on the use of airborne videography to identify spatial plant growth patterns for grain sorghum. Color-infrared (CIR) digital video images were acquired from two grain sorghum fields in south Texas several times during the 1995 and 1996 growing seasons. The video images were registered, and classified into several zones of homogeneous spectral response using an unsupervised classification procedure. Ground truthing was performed upon a limited number of sites within each zone to determine plant density, plant height, leaf area index, biomass, and grain yield. Results from both years showed that the digital video imagery identified within-field plant growth variability and that classification maps effectively differentiated grain production levels and growth conditions within the two fields. A temporal comparison of the images and classification maps indicated that plant growth patterns differed somewhat between the two successive growing seasons, though areas exhibiting consistently high or low yield were identified within each field.
Adaptability and Specificity in DNA Binding by trp Repressor

Cellular processes such as growth and differentiation are controlled by transcription factors that regulate gene expression by binding to specific DNA sites. Our present understanding of the mechanisms of repression and activation (gene regulation) has evolved from extensive studies on these sequence-specific DNA binding proteins and their DNA targets. A central question in these studies concerns how the protein distinguishes its target site(s) from an enormous background of nonspecific sites. Many regulatory proteins must recognize several closely related but nonidentical sites, or must be able to interact or combine with other factors or subunits that confer new DNA specificities. An emerging picture for the recognition process involves the mutual adjustment, or adaptation, of molecular surfaces to provide the required level of energetic interaction for specific recognition.
On Security Threats of Botnets to Cyber Systems

As the dynamics of cyber warfare continue to change, it is very important to be aware of the issues currently confronting cyberspace. One threat which continues to grow in the danger it poses to cyber security are botnets. Botnets can launch massive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against internet connected hosts anonymously, undertake intricate spam campaigns, launch mass financial fraud campaigns, and even manipulate public opinion via social media bots. The network topology and technology undergirding each botnet varies greatly, as do the motivations commonly behind such networks. Furthermore, as botnets have continued to evolve, many newer ones demonstrate increased levels of anonymity and sophistication, making it more difficult to effectively counter them. Increases in the production of vulnerable Internet of Things (IoT) devices has made it easier for malicious actors to quickly assemble sizable botnets. Because of this, the steps necessary to stop botnets also vary, and in some cases, it may be extremely difficult to effectively defeat a fully functional and sophisticated botnet. While in some cases, the infrastructure supporting the botnet can be targeted and remotely disabled, other cases require the physical assistance of law enforcement to shut down the botnet. In the latter case, it is often a significant challenge to cheaply end a botnet. On the other hand, there are many steps and mitigations that can be taken by end-users to prevent their own devices from becoming part of a botnet. Many of these solutions involve implementing basic cybersecurity practices like installing firewalls and changing default passwords. More sophisticated botnets may require similarly sophisticated intrusion detection systems, to detect and remove malicious infections. Much research has gone into such systems and in recent years many researchers have begun to implement machine learning techniques to defeat botnets. This paper is intended present a review on botnet evolution, trends and mitigations, and offer related examples and research to provide the reader with quick access to a broad understanding of the issues at hand.
The WADA code: the maximum extent of enforcement

This article describes how in addition to providing the minimum penalty for anti-doping violations, the World Anti-Doping Code provides the maximum penalty that may be provided. It explains how spo...
Synthesis of the 5-hydroxymethyl-6-aryl-8-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one natural products descurainin and cartorimine

Abstract Reaction of pyranulose 6 with styrenes 12c or 13 and Et3N in CH2Cl2 at 25 °C afforded the [5+2] cycloadducts 14c and 15, which were hydrolyzed to give the natural products 1 and descurainin (2) in 24 and 27% overall yield, respectively. Heating pyranulose 6 with cinnamate ester 21 in the presence of 2,6-di-t-butylpyridine in CH3CN at 175 °C afforded the [5+2] cycloadduct, which was hydrolyzed to give cartorimine (3) in 13% yield.
Using the Narrative Policy Framework in the Teaching of Introduction to Politics

In today’s world characterized by political tribalism, narrative is an increasingly important concept for understanding politics. The Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) seeks to describe, explain, an...
An emergency medicine approach to troponin elevation due to causes other than occlusion myocardial infarction.

Abstract Introduction Troponin is an integral component of the evaluation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI). However, troponin may be elevated in conditions other than OMI. Objective This narrative review provides emergency clinicians with a focused evaluation of troponin elevation in patients with myocardial injury due to conditions other than OMI. Discussion ACS includes the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI), which incorporates assessment for elevated troponin. Troponin I and T are the most common biomarkers used in assessment of myocardial injury and may be released with myocyte injury and necrosis, myocyte apoptosis and cell turnover, and oxygen supply demand mismatch. Troponin elevation is a reflection of myocardial injury, and many conditions associated with critical illness may result in troponin elevation. These include cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. Cardiac conditions include heart failure, dysrhythmia, and dissection, while non-cardiac causes include pulmonary embolism, sepsis, stroke, and many others. Clinicians should consider the clinical context, patient symptoms, electrocardiogram, and ultrasound in their assessment of the patient with troponin elevation. In most cases, elevated troponin is a marker for poor outcomes including increased rates of mortality. Conclusions Troponin can be elevated in many critical settings. The causes of troponin elevation include cardiac and non-cardiac conditions. Clinicians must consider the clinical context and other factors, as an inappropriate diagnosis of OMI may result in patient harm and misdiagnosis of another condition.
Novel Use of a Gas Analyzer Can Reliably Predict the Arterial Oxygen Among Emergency Department Patients Undergoing Rapid Sequence Intubation

Abstract Background To our knowledge, no study has assessed the correlation of fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) and end-tidal oxygen (EtO2) values obtained from a gas analyzer during the preoxygenation period of rapid sequence intubation (RSI) to predict partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) among patients requiring intubation in the emergency department (ED). Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether a simple equation using EtO2 and FiO2 at time of induction could reliably estimate minimal PaO2 in ED patients undergoing RSI. Methods We conducted an observational pilot study performed in an adult ED utilizing a gas analyzer to obtain EtO2 and FiO2 values in ED patients undergoing RSI from data collectors blinded to our objective. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated between the equation's predicted PaO2 and the PaO2 drawn from an arterial blood gas shortly after intubation. A Bland-Altman plot analysis was performed to identify any additional bias. Results Seventy-five patients were enrolled. The equation's mean predicted minimal PaO2 and mean PaO2 from an arterial blood gas within 3 min after intubation was 178 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI] 145–211 mm Hg) and 209 mm Hg (95% CI 170–258 mm Hg), respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the predicted minimal PaO2 and post-intubation PaO2 demonstrated a strong correlation (r2 = 0.89). The Bland-Altman plot indicated no bias affecting the correlation between the predicted and actual PaO2. Conclusions Among ED patients undergoing RSI, the use of a gas analyzer to measure EtO2 and FiO2 can provide a reliable measure of the minimal PaO2 at the time of induction during the RSI phase of preoxygenation.
Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Two Classes of Aluminum-Lanthanide-Sodium Heterotrimetallic 12-Metallacrown-4 Compounds: Individual Molecules and Dimers of Metallacrowns

Two series of aluminum-lanthanide-sodium 12-metallacrown-4 compounds have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. For the individual LnNa(ben)4[12-MCAl(III)N(shi)-4] molecules, where LnIII = Eu (1), Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4), Ho (5), Er (6), Tm (7), Yb (8), Lu (9), and Y (10), ben− is benzoate, MC is metallacrown, and shi3− is salicylhydroximate, two independent molecules are present in each unit cell. The aluminum(III) ions and shi3− ligands comprise the MC framework, while the LnIII and Na+ ions bind opposite of each other across the central MC cavity. The benzoate anions serve to tether the LnIII ion to the MC framework. When benzoate is replaced with the dicarboxylate anion isophthalate (iph2−), two [12-MCAl(III)N(shi)-4] units are connected to form a dimer of MCs: {LnNa[12-MCAl(III)N(shi)-4]}2(iph)4, where LnIII = Eu (11), Gd (12), Tb (13), Dy (14), Ho (15), Ho (16), Er (17), Yb (18), and Lu (19). As in 1–10, the aluminum(III) ions and shi3− ligands produce the MC frameworks, and one LnIII ion binds to each central MC cavity. However, there are two binding modes for the sodium ions. For 12–15 and 18, the sodium ions bind to the central MC cavity opposite of the LnIII ions as in 1–10. For 11, 16, 17, and 19, the sodium ions bind to the side of the MC framework by bonding to the phenolate and carboxylate oxygen atoms of two shi3− ligands and to the carboxylate oxygen atom of an iph2− ligand. In these structures, the MC cavity is vacant opposite of the LnIII ions. The substitution of isophthalate for benzoate does not significantly alter the [12-MCAl(III)N(shi)-4] framework as the size of the central MC cavity is not significantly different between analogous lanthanide individual and dimer MCs. However, the identity of the central LnIII ion does determine how close the LnIII ion can approach the mean plane of the oxime oxygen atoms (OoxMP) of the MC cavity. As the ion radius of the central LnIII ion decreases, the LnIII ion is able to more closely approach the OoxMP. For the individual MCs 1–10, the EuIII of 1 is the farthest away from the OoxMP (1.55 A) and this value steadily decreases to 1.44 A for the LuIII ion of 9. This same trend is true for the dimer MCs as the EuIII ion of 11 is 1.45 A from the OoxMP and the LuIII ion of 19 is 1.36 A from the OoxMP. Though the location of the sodium ions in the dimer MCs does influence the LnIII-OoxMP distance as the absence of the sodium ion in the MC cavity allows the LnIII ion to approach the MC cavity even closer. In 15 a sodium ion is opposite the HoIII ion and the HoIII-OoxMP distance is 1.47 A, while in 16 the sodium ion is bound to the side of the MC and the HoIII-OoxMP distance is 1.40 A. The complex GdNa[12-MCAl(III)N(shi)-4]}2(iph)4(DMF)2(H2O)8 is a dimer of [12-MC-4] molecules linked by four isophthalate anions.
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β suppresses canonical Wnt signaling through transcriptional repression of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β (HNF-1β) is a tissue-specific transcription factor that is required for normal kidney development and renal epithelial differentiation. Mutations of HNF-1β produce congenital kidney abnormalities and inherited renal tubulopathies. Here, we show that ablation of HNF-1β in mIMCD3 renal epithelial cells results in activation of β-catenin and increased expression of lymphoid enhancer–binding factor 1 (LEF1), a downstream effector in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Increased expression and nuclear localization of LEF1 are also observed in cystic kidneys from Hnf1b mutant mice. Expression of dominant-negative mutant HNF-1β in mIMCD3 cells produces hyperresponsiveness to exogenous Wnt ligands, which is inhibited by siRNA-mediated knockdown of Lef1. WT HNF-1β binds to two evolutionarily conserved sites located 94 and 30 kb from the mouse Lef1 promoter. Ablation of HNF-1β decreases H3K27 trimethylation repressive marks and increases β-catenin occupancy at a site 4 kb upstream to Lef1. Mechanistically, WT HNF-1β recruits the polycomb-repressive complex 2 that catalyzes H3K27 trimethylation. Deletion of the β-catenin–binding domain of LEF1 in HNF-1β–deficient cells abolishes the increase in Lef1 transcription and decreases the expression of downstream Wnt target genes. The canonical Wnt target gene, Axin2, is also a direct transcriptional target of HNF-1β through binding to negative regulatory elements in the gene promoter. These findings demonstrate that HNF-1β regulates canonical Wnt target genes through long-range effects on histone methylation at Wnt enhancers and reveal a new mode of active transcriptional repression by HNF-1β.
The Research on Temperature Control Load Modeling and Aggregate Simulation

At present, temperature-controlled loads, as a main type of flexible loads, can actively participate in demand side management in a clustered manner to realize auxiliary services such as peak and valley filling, frequency adjustment, and power balance maintenance. In this paper, the research on temperature-controlled load aggregation modeling technology is carried out: for a single temperature-controlled load, the thermodynamics and operating state are modeled; for a large number of temperature-controlled loads, the heterogeneity of the internal parameters of the model is considered, and the load aggregation model is established. For different types of temperature-controlled loads, the aggregation modeling accuracy at different initial temperatures is discussed. The simulation results show that the feasibility and accuracy of the state alignment aggregation model are relatively high, compared with the monomer model.
Conclusion and Prospect

In this chapter, we review briefly the topics covered in this thesis and then present a few remarks on the prospect of 2D materials research.
Abstract 16007: Myeloid-specific Deletion in Lipid Phosphate Phosphatase3 (plpp3) Increases Cardiac Inflammation

Introduction and Hypothesis: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The innate immune response plays a major role in cardiac remodeling after A...
Infections of the aorta

Infection of the aorta continues to be a clinical challenge with high morbidity and mortality. The incidence varies between 0.6 and 2.6%. There has been a steady increase in graft infections, especially endograft infections, due to increased procedures (0.2 to 5%). Staphylococcus species remains the most common organism; however, gram-negative and rare causative agents are also reported. The clinical presentation can be very diverse and a high degree of suspicion is necessary to diagnose them. Sometimes, they may present as an emergency with rupture or fistulation. Diagnosis is based on a triad of clinical features, microbial cultures and imaging. Culture-specific antibiotics are mandatory during the entire course, but seldom cure alone. Surgical management remains the standard of care and involves an integrated approach involving debridement, reconstruction and use of adjuncts. Various aortic substitutes have been described with advantages and limitations. Pericardial tube grafts have emerged as a good option. Endo-vascular options are practiced mostly as a bridge to definitive surgery. A small role for conservative management is described. Aortic fistulation to the gut and airway carries a very high mortality. There are no large series in the literature to define guideline-directed treatment and most often it is a customized solution. The 30-day mortality remains close to 30%. Outcomes depend on multiple factors including patient’s age, the timing of presentation, diagnosis, causative organism, host status and the treatment strategy adopted.
Improving patient experience and education on congenital heart defects: the evolving role of digital heart models, 3D-printing and mobile application.

Background: Effective counseling and good communication are vital to adequately educate families on congenital heart disease (CHD) anatomy, prognosis, and surgical options. In addition, families desire to have easy access to reliable sources of information to further educate themselves and their social networks. Advanced digital and 3D printing technology has enabled the creation of CHD-specific visual aids aimed at improving patient-physician communication and enhancing the patient-family experience. Objective: To determine ambulatory CHD patient family/caregiver response to new tech-based counseling utilizing 3D printed hearts and …
The Second Time Around – Minimalism and L2 Acquisition

Linking recent advances in theoretical syntax and empirical research in language development, the book claims that second language acquisition is not totally distinct from first language acquisition, but rather is a replay, a relearning of language. It argues that Universal Grammar is a template guiding acquisition of L1 while constraining acquisition of L2. Assuming that a syntactic distinction crucial for language and its acquisition is the division between lexical and functional categories, it argues that the key to L2 as well as L1 acquisition of syntax is the mastery of morphological features and their linking to functional categories. It thus supports the availability of UG to the second language learner and the minimalist claim that cross-linguistic variation is morpholexical. Constructionism, the hypothesis of L2A proposed in this account, argues for a period of feature underspecification after loss of the L1 value, followed by a progressive building of the L2 value through specific constructions.
Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Reveals Highly-Compact Intermediates in the Collision Induced Dissociation of Charge-Reduced Protein Complexes

Protocols that aim to construct complete models of multiprotein complexes based on ion mobility and mass spectrometry data are becoming an important element of integrative structural biology efforts. However, the usefulness of such data is predicated, in part, on an ability to measure individual subunits removed from the complex while maintaining a compact/folded state. Gas-phase dissociation of intact complexes using collision induced dissociation is a potentially promising pathway for acquiring such protein monomer size information, but most product ions produced are possessed of high charge states and elongated/string-like conformations that are not useful in protein complex modeling. It has previously been demonstrated that the collision induced dissociation of charge-reduced protein complexes can produce compact subunit product ions; however, their formation mechanism is not well understood. Here, we present new experimental evidence for the avidin (64 kDa) and aldolase (157 kDa) tetramers that demonstrates significant complex remodeling during the dissociation of charge-reduced assemblies. Detailed analysis and modeling indicates that highly compact intermediates are accessed during the dissociation process by both complexes. Here, we present putative pathways that describe the formation of such ions, as well as discuss the broader significance of such data for structural biology applications moving forward.
Environmental Lead, Soil Contamination, and Child Health Effects in Less-Developed Nations: Comparative International Research, 1980–2006

This investigation provides a survey of the research on lead pollution in soil environments and health effects especially in children in developing nations. Using major internet bibliographic databases, this research analyzed the research on soil contaminated with lead by national location, type of soil and media surveyed, technical survey methods, lead emission sources, and suspected child health effects. This study indicated that in developing nations the emphasis of research studies and surveys concerning lead contamination in soils has differed from that of the developed nations. One major priority in soil contamination studies in less-developed nations has been establishing Pb levels in highway areas and farmlands. These studies have emphasized that soils suspected of lead distributions linked to traffic and leaded gasoline also have been associated with unhealthy blood lead levels in proximate populations of children. Overall, in less-developed nations, soil analysis data is frequently the primary s...
175 miles through the desert

The DARPA Grand Challenge is one of the biggest open challenges for the robotics community to date. It requires a robotic vehicle to follow a given route of up to 175 miles across punishing desert terrain, without any human supervision. The Challenge was first held in 2004, in which the best performing team failed after 7.3 miles of autonomous driving. The speaker heads one out of 195 teams worldwide competing for the 2 Million Dollar price. Thrun will present the work of the Stanford Racing Team, which is developing an automated car capable of desert driving at up to 50km/h. He will report on research in areas as diverse as computer vision, control, fault-tolerant systems, machine learning, motion planning, data fusion, and 3-D environment modeling.
Algorithms for robust knowledge extraction in learning environments

This paper presents preliminary results on a generalizability study that was carried out to evaluate the robustness of a knowledge extraction algorithm.
American ginseng improves neurocognitive function in senescence-accelerated mice: Possible role of the upregulated insulin and choline acetyltransferase gene expression

Aim: To investigate the effects of American ginseng on neurocognitive function and glucose regulation in senescence-accelerated mice. Methods: Male senescence-resistant inbred strains (SAMR1) and senescence-prone inbred strains (SAMP10) mice were divided into five groups and fed either a control diet or an American ginseng-supplemented diet (1% or 2% g/g) from 6 weeks to 10 months of age. Bodyweight, levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and grading scores were monitored every month and neurocognitive functions were evaluated at 9 months of age with a KUROBOX apparatus using a stress-free positive cue task. Gene expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-δ), insulin, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: American ginseng decreased FPG in SAMR1 mice, but increased FPG in SAMP10 mice. Correct visit ratios were higher in both SAMR1 and SAMP10 strains consuming an American ginseng-supplemented diet. Gene upregulation of insulin and ChAT in the brain, but not of PPAR-δ or APP, was evident in American ginseng-fed groups. Conclusion: Daily consumption of American ginseng induced an enhancement in neurocognitive function in senescence-accelerated mice, which could be related to the upregulation of insulin and ChAT gene expression in the brain. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 123–130.
How to Design PET Experiments to Study Neurochemistry: Application to Alcoholism

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) (and the related Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) is a powerful imaging tool with a molecular specificity and sensitivity that are unique among imaging modalities. PET excels in the study of neurochemistry in three ways: 1) It can detect and quantify neuroreceptor molecules; 2) it can detect and quantify changes in neurotransmitters; and 3) it can detect and quantify exogenous drugs delivered to the brain. To carry out any of these applications, the user must harness the power of kinetic modeling. Further, the quality of the information gained is only as good as the soundness of the experimental design. This article reviews the concepts behind the three main uses of PET, the rationale behind kinetic modeling of PET data, and some of the key considerations when planning a PET experiment. Finally, some examples of PET imaging related to the study of alcoholism are discussed and critiqued.