cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal Stress Induced Void Formation in Narrow Passivated Cu Lines

0.75–3 μm wide copper lines encased in a thin adhesion layer of Al or Cr were passivated at 300°C and annealed at 400°C. The passivation was then removed and the lines examined in a scanning electron microscope. The development of thermal stress induced voiding was found to depend primarily on aging conditions and adhesion.
Estimation of activity coefficients in concentrated sulfite-sulfate solutions

The electrolyte theory of Pitzer and coworkers is used to estimate geometric mean-ion activity coefficients in strong electrolyte solutions at 25 to 55/sup 0/C. By using Pitzer's equations with ion-pair parameters estimated in this paper, activity coefficients can be calculated to moderately high ionic strengths in aqueous mixtures containing the following ions: Na/sup +/, K/sup +/, Mg/sup 2 +/, Ca/sup 2 +/, Cl/sup -/, ClO/sub 3//sup -/, ClO/sub 4//sup -/, HCO/sub 3//sup -/, HSO/sub 3//sup -/, CO/sub 3//sup 2 -/, SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/, SO/sub 3//sup 2 -/, and S/sub 2/O/sub 5//sup 2 -/. Mixtures containing these ions are present in CaO/CaSO/sub 4/ flue gas desulfurization units and in laboratory experiments aimed at understanding the chemistry occurring in such units. The computed activity coefficients are relatively insensitive to the values of the estimated quantities. The basis of the estimates, as well as their effect on calculated activity coefficients, is discussed. It is concluded that activity coefficients are estimated with an accuracy of +-25% or better.
Interleukin-12 and interleukin-27 regulate macrophage control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an intracellular pathogen that persists within macrophages and remains a considerable global threat to human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate how interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-27 regulate human macrophage interactions with M. tuberculosis. Quantitative measurement of transcripts showed that IL-12 or M. tuberculosis induced IL-27 gene expression in human macrophages. Furthermore, IL-27 receptor subunits were shown by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry to be expressed and present at the cell surface. Neutralization of IL-27 in the presence of IL-12 reduced viable M. tuberculosis recovered from macrophages. Antimycobacterial activity was accompanied by a heightened inflammatory response that included tumor necrosis factor, IL-6, interferon-gamma, and a subset of chemokines. These results implicate IL-12 and IL-27 in regulating human macrophages, and IL-27 derived from macrophages during infection impedes control of M. tuberculosis growth.
Effects of Large-Scale Removal of Coyotes on Pronghorn and Mule Deer Productivity and Abundance

ABSTRACT We tested the hypothesis that predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) impacts pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations. We did so by examining the effects of coyote removal on pronghorn and mule deer populations within 12 large areas (>10,500 km2) located in Wyoming and Utah during 2007 and 2008. Pronghorn productivity (fawn to adult female ratio) and abundance were positively correlated with the number of coyotes removed and removal effort (hours spent hunting coyotes from aircraft) although the correlation between pronghorn productivity and removal effort was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). Mule deer productivity and abundance were not correlated with either the number of coyotes removed or removal effort. Coyote removal conducted during the winter and spring provided greater benefit than removals conducted during the prior fall or summer. Our results suggest that coyote removal conducted over large areas increases fawn survival and abundance of p...
Ice crystal concentrations in wave clouds: dependencies on temperature, D>0.5 μm aerosol particle concentration and duration of cloud processing

Abstract. Model equations used to either diagnose or prognose the concentration of heterogeneously nucleated ice crystals depend on combinations of cloud temperature, aerosol properties, and elapsed time of supersaturated-vapor or supercooled-liquid conditions. The validity of these equations has been questioned. Among many uncertain factors there is a concern that practical limitations on aerosol particle time of exposure to supercooled-liquid conditions, within ice nucleus counters, has biased the predictions of a diagnostic model equation. In response to this concern, this work analyzes airborne measurements of crystals made within the downwind glaciated portions of wave clouds. A streamline model is used to connect a measurement of aerosol concentration, made upwind of a cloud, to a downwind ice crystal (IC) concentration. Four parameters are derived for 80 streamlines: (1) minimum cloud temperature along the streamline, (2) aerosol particle concentration (diameter, D > 0.5 μm) measured within ascending air upwind of the cloud, (3) IC concentration measured in descending air downwind, and (4) the duration of water-saturated conditions along the streamline. The latter are between 38 and 507 s and the minimum temperatures are between −34 and −14 °C. Values of minimum temperature, D > 0.5 μm aerosol concentration, and IC concentration are fitted using the equation developed for ice nucleating particles (INPs) by by DeMott et al. (2010; D10). Overall, there is reasonable agreement among measured IC concentrations, INP concentrations derived using D10's fit equation, and IC concentrations derived by fitting the airborne measurements with the equation developed by D10.
Use of fuzzy logic in adaptive "morphological" controllers

In this paper, fuzzy logic-based adaptive morphological control (MC) is proposed. MC generalizes the idea of variable structure control (VSC). In the conventional approach to VSC, the control surface does not change the shape during a step response. A morphological type of VSC changes the shape of the control surface during each step response to increase system performance. This MC's "varying structure" property provides an extra degree of flexibility to combine different control goals such as robustness and minimum time control. A TSK type FLC with sliding mode controller (SMC) functions as the rule output function is developed, which is used as a controller in MC approach. Simulation results with a DC motor model are presented. >
A biologically informed method for detecting associations with rare variants

With the recent flood of genome sequence data, there has been increasing interest in rare variants and methods to detect their association to disease. Many of these methods are collapsing strategies which bin rare variants based on allele frequency and functional predictions; but at this point, most have been limited to candidate gene studies with a small number of candidate genes. We propose a novel method to collapse rare variants based on incorporating biological information from the public domain. This paper introduces the functionality of BioBin, a biologically informed method to collapse rare variants and detect associations with a particular phenotype. We tested BioBin using low coverage data from the 1000 Genomes Project and discovered appropriate binning characteristics based on what one might expect given the size of the gene. We also tested BioBin using the pilot targeted exome data from 1000 Genomes Project. We used biologically-informed binning and differences in minor allele frequencies as a means to distinguish between two ancestral populations. Although BioBin is still in developmental stages, it will be a useful tool in analyzing sequence data and uncovering novel associations with complex disease.
Probing the front lines: pollworker perceptions of security & privacy

Voting technologies have undergone intense scrutiny in recent years [17]. In contrast, the human components of these socio-technical systems, including the policies and procedures that guide and bind behavior have received less attention. To begin to understand pollworker behavior, we conducted a two stage qualitative investigation in a single jurisdiction to explore the challenges pollworkers face on election day, their recollection of relevant policies and procedures, and their high-level ability to perceive and remedy threats to security and privacy whether they relate directly to policies and procedures or not. We first observed 4 polling places in one California county during the general election in November 2010, recording security and privacy related events. Based on our observations we developed 10 "vignettes" [16], each focusing on a privacy or security risk that we witnessed. In August 2011, we used this instrument to interview twenty pollworkers -- recruited from the four polling places we observed the previous year and four additional demographically-similar polling places -- in order to understand how they would respond to the vignettes. We report 1) qualitative findings from our observations; and, 2) qualitative findings from our vignette-based interviews of pollworkers. We find that awareness of security-related policies and procedures and comprehension of security risks is low compared with privacy policies, procedures and risks. We find divergent polling place management styles, which we tentatively suggest relate to different perspectives on risk management and trust. We propose that training materials be oriented around the risks they are designed to address, to promote pollworkers' general knowledge of risks to election integrity as well as the specific policies their roles support in order to mitigate risks on election day.
Genome-wide epigenetic analysis of MEF2A and MEF2C transcription factors in mouse cortical neurons

The transcription factors of the myocyte enhancer factor 2 family (MEF2 A-D) are highly expressed in the brain and play a key role in neuronal survival/apoptosis, differentiation and synaptic plasticity. However, the precise genome-wide mapping of different members of the family has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we report the comparative analysis of MEF2A and MEF2C genome-wide mapping in mouse cortical neurons by ChIP-seq, a powerful approach to elucidate the genomic functions of transcription factors and to identify their transcriptional targets. Our analysis reveals that MEF2A and MEF2C each orchestrate similar epigenomic programs mainly through the binding of enhancer regulatory elements in proximity of target genes involved in neuronal plasticity and calcium signaling. We highlight the differences in the enhancer networks and molecular pathways regulated by MEF2A and MEF2C, which might be determined by the combinatorial action of different transcription factors.
Absorption and distribution of sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, calcium and zinc in some selected woody ornamentals

The foliar absorption and subsequent distribution of sodium, chlorine, calcium and zinc in one-year-old rooted cuttings ofForsythia intermedia ZABEL, and root absorption of phosphorus byTaxus cuspidata SIEB. and Zucc, was established. The percentage of the applied nutrient translocated out of the treated leaf was used as a criterion of mobility. Sodium and chlorine were found to be mobile, calcium immobile, and zinc slightly mobile. Less than one percent of the phosphorus applied to the shoots of both actively growing and semi-dormantTaxus cuspidata plants was recovered in the roots after a 12-day absorption-transport period. Six percent of the total phosphorus recovered in the tops was derived from a single soil application of a water soluble fertilizer (10–52–17) after 12 days, although, less than. 0.5 percent of the applied fertilizer phosphorus was absorbed.
Decolonization and Internal Colonialism: Place and Function of the Colonial

El siguiente articulo tiene como proposito indagar en la comprension de aquello que es designado por el termino “colonial” en tres intelectuales bolivianos: Rene Zavaleta Mercado, Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui y H.C.F. Mansilla. Encontramos, en los escritos de los tres, signos que nos permiten percibir una comprension similar (aunque no la misma) de lo que entienden por herencia colonial. En los tres casos, esa herencia es vista de forma peyorativa, es decir, como un rasgo que habria que poner de lado y finalmente erradicar. A partir de un analisis textual tratamos de comprender en que consiste ese concepto o ese remanente colonial en estos tres autores. Una vez que logramos averiguar a que se podrian referir estos autores cuando manejan la idea de una herencia colonial, analizamos y cuestionamos estas ideas a partir de la concepcion que la teoria mimetica tiene de conceptos similares. En otras palabras, buscamos traducir los conceptos de los pensadores bolivianos en terminos de la teoria mimetica, ya sea para comprenderlos mejor, ya sea para verificar si tienen una significacion en el contexto de esa teoria.
The Changes of Pulmonary Function and Systemic Blood Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Background: In patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS), there are several factors increasing upper airway resistance and there is a predisposition to compromised respiratory function during waking and sleep related to constitutional factors including a tendency to obesity. Several recent studies have suggested a possible relationship between sleep apnea(SA) and systemic hypertension. But the possible pathophysiologic link between SA and hypertension is still unclear. In this study, we have examined the relationship among age, body mass index(BMI), pulmonary function parameters and polysomnographic data in patients with OSAS. And also we tried to know the difference among these parameters between hypertensive OSAS and normotensive OSAS patients. Methods: Patients underwent a full night of polysomnography and measured pulmonary function during waking. OSAS was diagnosed if patients had more than 5 apneas per hour(apnea index, AI). A careful history of previously known or present hypertension was obtained from each patient, and patients with systolic blood pressure 160mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure 95mmHg were classified as hypertensives. Results: The noctural nadir of arterial oxygen saturation( nadir) was negatively related to AI and respiratory disturbance index(RDI), and the degree of noctural oxygen desaturation(DOD) was positively related to AI and RDI. BMI contributed to AI, RDI, nadir and DOD values. And also BMI contributed to and DLco values. There was a correlation between airway resistance(Raw) and AI, and there was a inverse correlation between DLco and DOD. But there was no difference among these parameters between hypertensive OSAS and normotensive OSAS patients. Conclusion: The obesity contributed to the compromised respiratory function and the severity of OSAS. AI and RDI were important factors in the severity of hypoxia during sleep. The measurement of pulmonary function parameters including Raw and DLco may be helpful in the prediction and assessment of OSAS patients. But we could not find clear difference between hypertensive and normotensive OSAS patients.
Total joint arthroplasty.

The interaction of the prosthetic material with the host and the efficacy of surgical techniques are the focuses of this article that describes the extremely rapid development of prosthetic design and surgical approach. Joint kinematics is also analyzed at some length.
ECO2N V2.0: A TOUGH2 fluid property module for modeling CO2‐H2O‐NACL systems to elevated temperatures of up to 300°C

We have improved ECO2N, the TOUGH2 fluid property module of the CO2-H2O-NaCl system. The major enhancements include: (i) the upper temperature limit is increased from 110 to about 300°C; (ii) the thermophysical properties of the CO2-rich phase are more accurately calculated as a non-ideal mixture of CO2 and H2O; (iii) the approach to calculate the specific enthalpy of dissolved CO2 has been improved to make the code more robust in modeling phase transitions under non-isothermal conditions; and (iv) more sophisticated models for effective heat conductivity of formations saturated with supercritical CO2 have been provided. The new module includes a comprehensive description of the thermodynamic and thermophysical properties of H2ONaClCO2 mixtures, that reproduces fluid properties largely within experimental error for the temperature, pressure and salinity conditions 10°C < T < 300°C, P < 600 bar, and salinity up to halite saturation. This includes density, viscosity, and specific enthalpy of fluid phases as functions of temperature, pressure, and composition, as well as partitioning of mass components H2O, NaCl and CO2 among the different phases. ECO2N with the TOUGH2 reservoir simulator can be applied to a wide range of problems in geologic sequestration of CO2 in saline aquifers, and in enhanced geothermal reservoirs. ECO2N can describe both sub- and supercritical states of CO2, but applications that involve subcritical conditions are limited to systems in which there is no change of phase between liquid and gaseous CO2, and in which no mixtures of liquid and gaseous CO2 occur. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
L-type calcium channels refine the neural population code of sound level.

Responses of auditory neurons to changes in sound level depend on processing by local networks. Voltage-dependent conductances intrinsic to neurons in the network regulate local output, but their e...
Versation polarization in carbonyl sulfide and in certain symmetric top and asymmetric top molecules in helium mixtures at elevated pressures

The component of the dipole moment parallel to the direction of the total angular momentum in the presence of a field and owing to molecular collisions leads to an associated relaxation absorption which was called nonresonant absorption by Birnbaum and versation polarization (Latin versare, to turn) by Maier and Wimmel.
Dual energy CT angiography: pros and cons of dual-energy metal artifact reduction algorithm in patients after endovascular aortic repair.

To evaluate the value of metal artifact reduction (MAR) post-processing and iodine MD images in fast kV-switching dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in patients after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Twenty-four consecutive EVAR patients (age 76 ± 9 years, 7/24 (29%) with coils, 9/24 (37.5%) with 10 endoleaks) who underwent DECT angiography were included in this HIPAA-compliant, IRB-approved retrospective study. Monochromatic reconstructions included 55, 60, 65, 70, and 75 keV with and without MAR and iodine MD images. Near field, far field, and vessel artifacts were assessed subjectively (1 = none; 5 = severe) and objectively by measuring noise and contrast-to-noise ratio. Visibility of endoleak was evaluated (1 = optimal; 5 = not visible). MAR objectively decreased artifacts from EVAR stents in the near field (60.7 ± 25.4 HU vs. 70.1 ± 34.2; p = .002) and subjectively increased near field (3.2 ± 0.9 vs. 2.8 ± 0.6; p < .001), far field (2.2 ± 0.6 vs. 1.6 ± 0.6; p < .001), and vessel (3.1 ± 1.1 vs. 2.5 ± 0.9; p < .001) artifacts. Near-field artifacts from coils were reduced by the MAR objectively (72.4 ± 24.8 vs. 182.7 ± 57.3 HU; p < .001) and subjectively (4.5 ± 0.5 vs. 4.9 ± 0.4; p = .02). CNR of standard reconstructions was optimal at 60 keV (38.3 ± 16.8). Reconstructions without MAR and iodine MD images provided improved endoleak visualization in 6/10 (60%) of cases (median 1 for both) compared to MAR (median 3) (p < 0.001). However, MAR improved visualization in 1/10 (10%) cases due to endoleak location adjacent to a coil. DECT with MAR reduced artifacts from coils and improved endoleak visualization in 1/10 (10%) cases due to location adjacent to a coil. However, MAR impaired endoleak visualization in 6/10 (60%) cases and should be reviewed combined with 60 keV standard reconstructions and iodine MD images.
Opportunities of groundnut cultivation and marketing system in char lands of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has vast char area but most of the char lands are not suitable for crop production. So the present study was undertaken to examine the suitability of crop production by assessing adoption, relative profitability, marketing system, production and marketing problems of rabi season groundnut in char lands of Faridpur, Jamalpur, and Kishoreganj districts during 2013-2014. The sample size of the study was 225 including 90 groundnut farmers and 135 traders. The study revealed that the highest (56%) percent of groundnut farmers cultivated Dhaka-1 variety and only 23% of all farmers cultivated BARI chinabadam-8.The per hectare production cost of groundnut was Tk 61,547, net return was Tk.42,033 and BCR was 1.68. The partial budgeting analysis showed that if the farmers cultivated groundnut instead of its competitive crops, they would receive Tk. 24,445 additional to sesame and Tk.21,990 additional to wheat cultivation. The average estimated marketing costs was highest (Tk.1388/quintal) for Stockist and lowest (Tk.55/quintal) for Arathdar. Net marketing margin was also highest (Tk.1212/quintal) for Stockist and lowest (Tk.59/quintal) for Arathdar. Marketing chain-v was the most efficient than other five chains because it has single involvement of intermediary. The major problems identified by farmers were lack of irrigation facilities (34%), low rate of seed germination (31%), and lack of cultivable land (29%). Major marketing problems were lack of cash capital (82%), and lack of storage facilities (55%) etc. Arrangement of institutional credit with low interest rate (80%), collateral free credit (45%), and arrangement of storage facilities (72%) were the trader’s opinion to minimize the marketing problems of groundnut. Therefore the study will be helpful to increase groundnut cultivation and improved the marketing system in char lands of Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(4): 695-711, December 2016
Retrospective review of genomic testing in breast cancer: Does it improve outcome?

Purpose Tumor genomic testing has become widely available in many clinical settings. However, we do not yet understand how to best harness the information yielded from this testing. We retrospectively investigated the clinical courses of 24 patients who underwent tumor genomic testing to determine whether targeted therapy is associated with improved progression free survival (PFS) compared to standard therapy.
DNA methylation and ovarian cancer. I. Analysis of CpG island hypermethylation in human ovarian cancer using differential methylation hybridization.

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to examine CpG island methylation patterns in ovarian cancer and determine whether epigenetic information can be related to clinical data of patients. CpG island (CpGI) hypermethylation is commonly associated with cancer progression, but little is currently known about the role of methylation in ovarian cancer. Methods. Differential methylation hybridization (DMH) analysis at 742 loci was performed to determine methylation signatures for 20 primary epithelial ovarian carcinomas (Stages II, III, and IV adenocarcinomas, serous papillary), 6 ovarian cancer cell lines, and normal ovarian surface epithelial cells. Results. Between 23 and 108 methylated CpGIs were seen in the ovarian carcinomas. Fewer ( P P Conclusions. Epigenetic signatures in ovarian cancer were determined using DMH. This proof-of-concept study lays the foundation for genome-wide screening of methylation to examine epigenotype–phenotype relationships in ovarian cancer.
Developing FTIR Microspectroscopy for the Analysis of Animal-Tissue Residues on Stone Tools

The analysis of microscopic residues on stone tools provides one of the most direct ways to reconstruct the functions of such artifacts. However, new methods are needed to strengthen residue identifications based upon visible-light microscopy. In this work, we establish that reflectance Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIRM) can be used to document IR spectra of animal-tissue residues on experimental stone tools. First, we present a set of reflectance FTIRM standards for the most commonly identified animal-tissue residues on stone tools: skin, meat, fat, hair, blood, feather barbules, fish scales, and bone. We provide spectral peak assignments for each residue and demonstrate that high-quality reflectance FTIRM spectra can be generated under ideal circumstances. Second, we document the spectra for these residues when they are located on a stone substrate such as flint or obsidian. We discuss procedures for correcting spectra that are affected by specular reflection and explain the effects of spectral interference from the stone. Our results show that reflectance FTIRM is sensitive to small intra-sample differences in composition. This means that it will record the effects of decomposition in ancient residues. The methodological developments we present here will help lithic residue analysts incorporate in situ reflectance FTIRM into their analysis protocols to strengthen identifications.
Electrophoretic Deposition of Two-Dimensional Titanium Carbide (MXene) Thick Films

Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of Ti3C2Tx MXene films using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). A systematic study under constant voltage conditions from aqueous and propylene carbonate-based suspensions was performed to investigate the effects of the EPD process parameters on film morphology, flake orientation, and functional properties. From measured suspension properties, the kinetics of deposition from both suspension media were successfully described by the well-established Sarkar model of EPD. Remarkably, EPD-processed films have electrical conductivities of 7400 S/cm, on par with the highest values reported in the literature for Ti3C2Tx MXene. When employed as electrochemical capacitor electrodes in 1 M H2SO4, the capacitances were comparable to literature values. Given the process scalability and the morphological control that is possible, these results bode well for EPD as a fast, high-throughput method for making MXene films.
Physiology of Temperature Control

Body core temperature is usually well controlled at about 37 ° C. Core temperature deviations trigger thermoregulatory responses including active vasodilatation and sweating for hyperthermia, and vasoconstriction and shivering for hypothermia. During general and neuroaxial anesthesia, thermoregulatory responses are impaired, leading to delayed protective responses to hypothermia. Perioperative hypothermia is associated with increased risk of coagulopathy, and increased risk of transfusion, surgical wound infections, delayed drug metabolism and prolonged recovery, and thermal discomfort. It is therefore essential to continuously monitor perioperative temperature and maintain the patients at normothermic. Active warming is indicated in all patients having surgery lasting more than 30 minutes and having general, regional or combined anesthesia.
Aging and Language

Language use and comprehension in aging is examined. First, declines in language use and comprehension are described. Following this, attention is paid to some of the ageist assumptions underlying such work and to examining both improvements in language use and comprehension in aging, as well as the ways in which decline and decrement in old age are themselves linguistically constructed.
2-deoxy 5-azacytidine and fetal hemoglobin induction in sickle cell anemia.

Augmentation of the fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels is of therapeutic benefit in patients with sickle cell anemia. Hydroxyurea (HU), by increasing HbF, lowers rates of pain crisis, episodes of acute chest syndrome, and requirements for blood transfusions. For patients with no HbF elevation after HU treatment, augmentation of HbF levels by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR, decitabine) could serve as an alternate mode of treatment. Eight adult patients participated in a dose-escalating phase I/II study with 5-aza-CdR at doses ranging from 0.15 to 0.30 mg/kg given 5 days a week for 2 weeks. HbF, F cell, F/F cell, γ-globin synthesis ratio, complete blood count, and chemistry were measured. The average γ-globin synthesis relative to non-α-globin synthesis prior to therapy was 3.19% ± 1.43% and increased to 13.66% ± 4.35% after treatment. HbF increased from 3.55% ± 2.47% to 13.45% ± 3.69%. F cells increased from 21% ± 14.8% to 55% ± 13.5% and HbF/F cell increased from 17% to 24%. In the HU nonresponders HbF levels increased from 2.28% ± 1.61% to 2.6% ± 2.15% on HU, whereas on 5-aza-CdR HbF increased to 12.70% ± 1.81%. Total hemoglobin increased by 1 g/dL in 6 of 8 patients with only minor reversible toxicities, and all patients tolerated the drug. Maximum HbF was attained within 4 weeks of treatment and persisted for 2 weeks before falling below 90% of the maximum. Therefore 5-aza-CdR could be effective in increasing HbF in patients with sickle cell anemia who failed to increase HbF with HU. Demonstration of sustained F levels with additional treatment cycles without toxicity is currently being performed.
High-throughput identification of factors promoting neuronal differentiation of human neural progenitor cells in microscale 3D cell culture

Identification of conditions for guided and specific differentiation of human stem cell and progenitor cells is important for continued development and engineering of in vitro cell culture systems for use in regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and human toxicology. Three-dimensional (3D) and organotypic cell culture models have been used increasingly for in vitro cell culture because they may better model endogenous tissue environments. However, detailed studies of stem cell differentiation within 3D cultures remain limited, particularly with respect to high-throughput screening. Herein, we demonstrate the use of a microarray chip-based platform to screen, in high-throughput, individual and paired effects of 12 soluble factors on the neuronal differentiation of a human neural progenitor cell line (ReNcell VM) encapsulated in microscale 3D Matrigel cultures. Dose-response analysis of selected combinations from the initial combinatorial screen revealed that the combined treatment of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) with the glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor CHIR-99021 (CHIR) enhances neurogenesis while simultaneously decreases astrocyte differentiation, whereas the combined treatment of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the small azide neuropathiazol enhances the differentiation into neurons and astrocytes. Subtype specification analysis of RA- and CHIR-differentiated cultures revealed that enhanced neurogenesis was not biased toward a specific neuronal subtype. Together, these results demonstrate a high-throughput screening platform for rapid evaluation of differentiation conditions in a 3D environment, which will aid the development and application of 3D stem cell culture models.
Causal evidence for LTP-based interference in visual learning

Training related skills in close succession results in interference but the reasons for this interference are not understood. Here we test the hypothesis that interference occurs due to competition of long-term potentiation (LTP): the LTP induced by one task impedes the LTP induced by the other. Human subjects performed two consecutive training sessions on different Gabor orientations. Immediately after the offset of the first training, we applied continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to interfere with the LTP processes produced by the first training. We found that cTBS to a control site (vertex) resulted in substantial anterograde interference for the second training. Critically, cTBS to the visual cortex not only disrupted learning on the immediately preceding training, but also released the second training from the anterograde interference. These results provide strong support for the LTP-based theory of interference and suggest the possibility of directly manipulating the competition between different learning periods.
Sharp transection of the suspensory ligament as an alternative to digital strumming during canine ovariohysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE To compare time efficiency and nociceptive input between digital strumming (DS) and sharp transection (ST) of the suspensory ligament during ovariohysterectomy (OVH). STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS 30 adult female dogs. METHODS Dogs were randomly assigned to ST or DS procedures. Measures of nociception were assessed through measurements of preoperative and intraoperative heart rate during manipulation of the suspensory ligament. Measures of pain were assessed through preoperative and postoperative pain scores by using the short form Glasgow Composite Pain Scale. Time efficiency was measured through total surgical time and the time to release each suspensory ligament. RESULTS After body weight was accounted for, the total surgical time was 1.1 minutes (P = .06) faster for ST than for DS, and each additional kilogram of body weight increased total surgical time by 0.1 minutes (P = .02). Digital strumming had 30.6-fold greater odds of taking greater than 1 minute compared with ST (P = .001). The heart rate from baseline to peak was 7.4 beats per minute lower in the ST group than in the DS group (P = .06). No complications were observed, and there was no difference in postoperative pain scores between treatments. CONCLUSION Sharp transection was faster and generated less intraoperative acceleration in heart rate but did not differ in postoperative outcomes compared with DS. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Sharp transection is a viable alternative to DS for breakdown of the suspensory ligament during canine OVH. Sharp transection may improve surgical efficiency, especially when performing large volumes in the spay/neuter setting and could influence veterinary student training.
Modeling and Simulation of Comprehensive Diode Behavior Under Electrostatic Discharge Stresses

Diodes are effective devices for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. To accurately predict ESD robustness through circuit simulation of protection architectures in integrated circuits that use diodes, an enhanced model is proposed. This model is constructed with several compact model elements to simulate all physical device behaviors under high current transient ESD conditions, namely, voltage overshoot, on-resistance variation, and thermal failure. The proposed model implements a thermal monitor, which cannot only correlate current–voltage characteristics with the self-heating effect, but accurately predicts thermal failure under different pulse width conditions. The simulation results of this comprehensive diode model benchmarked against measurements are also reported.
CONCEPTUAL SCHEME FOR ENSURING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRINCIPLE IN MODERN CONTAINER FLEET

As a result of the analysis of the modern merchant fleet, indicators have been revealed of an increase in the size of modern merchant vessels, which affects the overall energy efficiency. It should be noted a significant increase in the container fleet, namely, not only an increase in the number of vessels themselves, but also an increase in the average carrying capacity by almost 2.8 times. As a result, emissions to the atmosphere have also increased due to a significant increase in ship propulsion power and fuel consumption. This is due to the specifics of container traffic, namely for the rapid transportation of goods from port A to port B, for which container ships often move in all weather conditions with maximum speed, respectively, fuel consumption is enormous compared to other types of ships. Despite the fact that the goods must be delivered as soon as possible and without delay, in practice, due to the lack of effective feedback between all participants in the transportation process, this is not always possible. The inefficiency of feedback leads to wasteful resources, which in turn increases the financial costs of the shipowner by increasing fuel consumption. It also reduces the energy efficiency of the ship and increasing emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Considering the experience of the giants of maritime transport such as MAERSK, MSC, CMA CGM, it is possible to see that all participants in the process are single unit and interested in maximum efficiency of transportation. Containers of smaller companies that do not own their terminals often face ineffective feedback and are not able to influence the situation. The conceptual scheme proposed in the article should increase the efficiency of feedback between the vessel charter and the port, which, in turn, will increase the efficiency of sea freight. Constant access to information about the situation in the port will make it possible to avoid unnecessary delays of the ship.
Machine Learning and Social Media to Mine and Disseminate Big Scientific Data

One of the challenges in supplying the communities with wider access to scientific databases is the need for knowledge of database languages like Structured Query Language (SQL). Although the SQL language has been published in many forms, not everybody is able to write SQL queries. Another challenge is that it might not be practical to make the public aware of the structure of databases. There is a need for novice users to query relational databases using their natural language. To solve this problem, many natural language interfaces to structured databases have been developed. The goal is to provide a more intuitive method for generating database queries and delivering responses. Through social media, which makes it possible to interact with a wide section of the population, and with the help of natural language processing, researchers at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Data Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a concept to enable easy search and retrieval of data from several environmental data centers for the scientific community through social media.Using a machine learning framework that maps natural language text to thousands of datasets, instruments, variables, and data streams, the prototype system would allow users to request data through Twitter and receive a link (via tweet) to applicable data results on the project’s search catalog tailored to their key words. This automated identification of relevant data from various petascale archives at ORNL could increase convenience, access, and use of the project’s data by the broader community. In this paper we discuss how some data-intensive projects at ORNL are using innovative ways to help in data discovery.
Adaptive Probe Size Estimation for Cluster Management in Datacenters

The new generation of data analytics frameworks require sub-second response times. This in turn requires low latency and high throughput schedulers to allow distributed real- time data analysis. Recent studies in resource allocation for datacenters have focused on probe-based distributed schedulers to improve throughput and jobs response time. However, reducing the search space by relying on probing causes poor response times, especially when the cluster load increases. As a result, high performance cluster schedulers operate at the expense of over provisioning with an increasing operational cost. This paper proposes an Adaptive Probe Size Estimation (APSE) algorithm for cluster management in datacenters. The algorithm efficiently estimates a minimum probe size that limits overprovisioning while keeping the region of high throughput and low response time intact. This approach is particularly effective in large clusters and under heavy loads. The algorithm has been implemented and tested in Sparrow with synthetic and trace-driven data. It has shown considerable improvement in terms of response time, load balancing, and provisioning cost. The algorithm can be used in probe-based schedulers such as Sparrow, Tarcil, Piper, and Hawk.
A Family of High Order Derivative-Free Iterative Methods for Solving Root-Finding Problems

In this paper, we derive a new family of high order derivative-free iteration methods for finding simple and multiple roots of nonlinear algebraic equations of the form $$f(x)=0$$ . Each scheme requires only one initial guess. Our proposed procedure can be viewed as an extension of the second-order Steffensen’s method. The idea is to modify the family of derivative-based methods, which were recently proposed and analyzed by the author, to obtain derivative-free methods. The modified iterative methods are shown to have the same order of convergence as the derivative-based methods. The approach consists of approximating all derivatives with suitable difference formulas. The pth-order method requires evaluation of the function f at p suitable arguments. The error equations and asymptotic convergence constants are obtained. We also describe how to obtain derivative-free methods to find roots with multiplicity. Several numerical examples are provided to validate the theoretical order of convergence for nonlinear functions with simple and multiple roots.
Cell-intrinsic adenosine A2A receptor signaling is required for T cell homeostasis and tumor surveillance

Adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) are highly expressed in certain neuronal and immune cells and regulate locomotor activity, sleep, and immune functions. Thus, A2ARs are promising pharmacological tar...
The Evolution of Private Sector Retirement Income From Defined-Benefit Pensions to Target-Date 401(k) Plans:

Traditional employer-sponsored defined-benefit pension plans in the private sector that provided lifetime benefits have declined precipitously since 1985. They have been largely replaced by Section...
Feasible and ethical allocation of intervention resources for infectious diseases using linear programming

In this work, we demonstrate that the consideration of a fixed epidemic and the use of linear programming can be an effective tool for designing rollout strategies for infectious disease interventions. Specifically, we argue that the approach can be more flexible, more amenable to detailed allocation plans and more in line with the way that public policy decisions are made than standard optimal control allocations. We also show how feasibility and ethical constraints can be incorporated into resource allocations. As an application, we consider the initial rollout of Treatment as Prevention (TasP) resources for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in South Africa that began within the last decade. Going back to TasP’s initial rollout allows us to demonstrate the strengths of this approach.
What is the Role of Air Pollution in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a heterogeneous inflammatory disorder, and several environmental factors may be contributing to disease pathophysiology, including air pollutants. Tobacco smoke and occupational exposures also have been associated with CRS, and environmental exposures may contribute to the variability seen in disease endotype. Animal models that investigate the potential of air pollutants to induce chronic inflammation provide further insight into plausible triggers and modifiers of disease, including contributions to barrier disruption, alterations in the microbiome, and immune dysfunction. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate the role of environmental exposures on CRS pathophysiology and patient outcomes.
Ground Predator Activity-Density and Predation Rates Are Weakly Supported by Dry-Stack Cow Manure and Wheat Cover Crops in No-Till Maize.

Because it keeps land in production, conservation programs that focus on in-field habitat manipulations may help farmers better support predators than by building predator habitat around fields.We investigated two in-field habitat manipulations that benefit producers and soil quality: fertilizing with dry-stack cow manure and planting a wheat cover crop. We hypothesized that, compared with inorganic fertilizer and fallow plots, both treatments augment habitat and residue and support more small arthropods that can serve as alternative prey for larger predators. As a result, we expected manure and the cover crop to increase ground-active predators. In turn, these predators could provide biological control of pests. Each year in a 3-yr field experiment, we applied manure and in 2 yr planted a wheat cover crop. We found that both planting a cover crop and applying dry-stack manure increased the plant cover in May. In the last year, this translated to greater soil mite (Acari) density. At the end of the experiment, however, neither manure nor the wheat cover crop had increased residue on the soil surface. As a result, our treatments had inconsistent effects on predator activity-density, especially for carabids and spiders. We observed strong edge effects from neighboring grass alleys on carabid activity-density. Regardless of treatment, we observed high predation of sentinel prey. We conclude that even without cover crops or organic fertilizer, the stability of no-till maize and increased weeds in fallow treatments generate sufficient habitat complexity and alternative prey to support robust predator communities.
The Effect of Pitch and Loudness Auditory Feedback Perturbations on Vocal Quality During Sustained Phonation.

Summary Objective Dysphonia is a reduction in vocal quality that impacts communication and is often an early sign of a voice disorder. There is little information regarding the effects of auditory feedback control of loudness and pitch on voice quality. In this study, we used both loudness-shift and pitch-shift paradigms to study the relationship between auditory feedback control and vocal quality as measured by smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS), which reflects the harmonicity of the voice signal. Study Design Experimental, mixed design. Methods We applied 200 ms loudness-shifts (± 0, 3, or 6 dB) and pitch-shifts (± 0, 50, and 100 cents) to auditory feedback during sustained vowel production in 25 healthy adults. We then measured CPPS before and after the loudness-shift or pitch-shift to investigate the effect of changes in auditory feedback on vocal harmonicity. Results & Conclusions Results showed that, on average, CPPS significantly decreased between the first half of the measured segment and the last half of the segment in the absence of auditory feedback shifts, suggesting that voice quality may be reduced across longer vowels over time. Upward and downward shifts in loudness auditory feedback caused a relative increase in CPPS, indicating an improvement in vocal harmonicity, even in cases when vocal intensity was reduced. Pitch alterations had inconsistent and minimal effects. We propose that there may be a control mechanism for voice quality that increases harmonicity of the voice signal to improve voice audibility (ie, ability to be heard) in the presence of unpredictable variability in voice intensity.
Correction to: John Schwenkler, Anscombe’s Intention: A Guide. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019. ISBN978-0-19-005203-4, $24.95, Pbk

In the original publication of this article, the title of the article has been publihsed incorrectly. Now the same has been corrected and publihsed in this Correction.
Analysis and prediction of nucleation mechanisms in a bi-component powder bed with wettability differentials

Abstract In this study, the effect of hydrophobic components was analyzed through single drop nucleation experiments on a particle bed. The particle bed's relative hydrophobicity/wettability was varied by changing the percentage composition of hydrophobic and hydrophilic glass beads. The generated nuclei were then isolated and tested using near-infrared spectroscopy and image analysis. The data collected from repeating the experiments were then processed using a random forest machine learning model to predict the probability of immersion and solid-spread nucleation. This model was used to indicate the nucleation mechanism of two formulations. The first contains a varying composition of Ibuprofen and Microcrystalline cellulose, and the second consists of varying compositions of Acetaminophen and Microcrystalline cellulose. The model was validated with experiments. At higher percentage composition of Acetaminophen, the model predicted a higher probability of immersion nucleation. At a higher concentration of Ibuprofen, the model predicted a high likelihood of solid-spread nucleation.