cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observation Data Analysis of Wall Rock and Slope Monitoring

Several factors which influence the accuracy of multi-point extensometer from the statistical analysis of a large number of observation data are discussed.It is recommended that the relative displacement could be used for describing the measurement results in most occasions and the absolute displacement is calculated only when the relative displacement is greater than a certain value.The main reason for the false appearances in the data monitored is also explained by the anchor bar stress meters.Because the anchor bar stress meter can only take axially load,but not suitable for bending load.When it works under shear force,the stress value may become much greater than the actual value.The author suggests that this phenomenon should be paid enough attention to and the methods that how to distinguish the true from the false appearances should be discussed and studied by correlative researchers.
Case Analysis and Suggestions of Implementing Cleaner Production in Aluminum Electrolytic Industry

Based on the current situation and development trend of the aluminum electrolytic industry in China,it was pointed out that the effective way of sustainable development of aluminum electrolytic industry is carrying out cleaner production audit in the whole industry.One case of cleaner production audit in an aluminum electrolytic enterprise showed that,during the process of cleaner production audit,the pollution reduction ability and the energy resource utilization efficiency were improved and great benefits in both economy and environment for the enterprise obtained.Through summarizing the results of enterprise cleaner production audit,several suggestions were put forward in pursuing cleaner production,such as policy guiding,technology RD and demonstrations setting.
Novel strategies in the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. From the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Trealment regimens for multiple myeloma are evolving because of new advances in both pharmacotherapy and transplantation strategies. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) has gathered the top thought leaders in myeloma research to prepare an engaging, interactive series of case studies in multiple myeloma, which are available online at www.multiplemyeloma.org and will be published on a regular basis in ONCOLOGY. For more information about the interactive series, see the MMRF ad on page 1142.
UMNDuluth at SemEval-2016 task 14: Wordnet's missing lemmas

This paper presents a solution to Semeval 2016 Task 14 which asks for a system that is able to insert new lemmas into WordNet. Our system aims to do this by overlapping words in the definitions of the to-be-inserted lemma and all senses in WordNet. This paper includes the results of our system and also includes the baseline provided by Task 14, with our system scoring higher than the random baseline, and lower than the first word baseline.
Formation and Biological Targets of Quinones: Cytotoxic versus Cytoprotective Effects

Quinones represent a class of toxicological intermediates, which can create a variety of hazardous effects in vivo including, acute cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and carcinogenesis. In contrast, quinones can induce cytoprotection through the induction of detoxification enzymes, anti-inflammatory activities, and modification of redox status. The mechanisms by which quinones cause these effects can be quite complex. The various biological targets of quinones depend on their rate and site of formation and their reactivity. Quinones are formed through a variety of mechanisms from simple oxidation of catechols/hydroquinones catalyzed by a variety of oxidative enzymes and metal ions to more complex mechanisms involving initial P450-catalyzed hydroxylation reactions followed by two-electron oxidation. Quinones are Michael acceptors, and modification of cellular processes could occur through alkylation of crucial cellular proteins and/or DNA. Alternatively, quinones are highly redox active molecules which can red...
Prospective comparison of valve regurgitation quantitation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and transthoracic echocardiography.

Background— Both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging allow quantification of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR). We hypothesized that CMR measurement of regurgitant volume (RVol) is more reproducible than TTE. Methods and Results— TTE and CMR performed on the same day in 57 prospectively enrolled adults (31 with AR, 26 with MR) were measured by 2 independent physicians. TTE RVolAR was calculated as Doppler left ventricular outflow minus inflow stroke volume. RVolMR was calculated by both the proximal isovelocity surface area method and Doppler volume flow at 2 sites. CMR RVolAR was calculated by phase-contrast velocity mapping at the aortic sinuses and RVolMR as total left ventricular minus forward stroke volume. Intraobserver and interobserver variabilities were similar. For AR, the Bland–Altman mean interobserver difference in RVol was −0.7 mL (95% confidence interval [CI], −5 to 4) for CMR and −9 mL (95% CI, −53 to −36) for TTE. The Pearson correlation was higher ( P =0.001) between CMR (0.99) than TTE readers (0.89). For MR, the Bland–Altman mean difference in RVol between observers was −4 mL (95% CI, −21 to 13) for CMR compared with 0.7 mL (95% CI, −30 to 32) for the proximal isovelocity surface area and −10 mL (95% CI, −76 to 56) for TTE volume flow at 2 sites. Correlation was similar for CMR (0.94) versus TTE readers (0.90 for the proximal isovelocity surface area). Conclusions— Compared with TTE, CMR has lower intraobserver and interobserver variabilities for RVolAR, suggesting CMR may be superior for serial measurements. Although RVolMR is similar by TTE and CMR, variability in measured RVol by both approaches suggests that caution is needed in clinical practice.
Frequency modulated continuous wave ultra-wideband radar-based monitoring system for extending independent living

An ultra-wideband short-range radar (UWBSRR) human monitoring system is described, which provides the ability to monitor movement for fall detection, track daily activity, and analyze sleep restlessness patterns. The described system simplifies deployment and has functional and cost advantages over existing systems. These advantages allow for non-invasive monitoring where it was not practical or possible before, which will allow for an extension of independent living.
Discrete dislocation simulations of compression of tapered micropillars

Abstract The effect of taper on the plastic response of micropillars with a relatively high density of dislocation sources ( 1.5 × 10 14 m − 2 ) is analyzed. The large number of dislocation sources and dislocations in the simulations rule out many of the mechanisms that govern size effects in pillars with a low dislocation source density. The mechanical response of compressed pillars with mean widths of W = 0.4 , 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 µm and taper angles of 0°, 2° and 5° is analyzed using 2.5D discrete dislocation plasticity. For all taper angles, large scatter is found in the stress strain response for the submicron, W = 0.4 and 0.8 µm pillars, and relatively little scatter for the larger pillars. Taper leads to an increased average hardening rate for the submicron pillars, although this increase is within the scatter band of the stress strain response. Little sensitivity of the plastic response to taper is found for the larger pillars. The effect of size and taper on the stress strain response stems from the build up of geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs). The reduced number of dislocation sources in the submicron pillars is identified as the origin of the large scatter in the predicted mechanical response.
Imaging of carcinoid tumors with PET and [C-11]clorgyline

1652 Objectives: Carcinoid tumors arise from enterochromaffin cells of the intestinal tract, bronchi and associated structures. [In-111]pentetreotide has been used for the detection of these tumors. Carcinoid tumors secrete serotonin, which is degraded by monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and excreted in the urine. MAO A is known to be elevated in carcinoid and endocrine pancreatic tumors. Autoradiographic studies show a strong expression of MAO A in endocrine pancreatic tumors using a radiolabeled MAO A inhibitor, [C-11]harmine (Eriksson et al, 2000). Clorgyline is a MAO A inhibitor, which has been labeled with carbon-11 and used to visualize MAO A in the brain and in peripheral organs (Fowler et al, 1996 and 2003). Here we assess the feasibility of using [C-11]clorgyline and PET to visualize MAO A in carcinoid neoplasm in humans. Methods: Four female and seven male subjects (51±12-year-old) with elevated urinary 5-HIAA or serum serotonin and a positive [In-111]pentetreotide scan were studied with [C-11]clorgyline and PET. Whole body emission and transmission PET images were continuously acquired from the upper thighs to the head at 25 minutes post injection. Results: The images showed [C-11]clorgyline distribution in the brain, parotid glands, thyroid gland, lungs, heart, small intestine, large bowel, kidneys, urinary bladder and bone marrow. In three subjects who had a single lesion, the PET scan disclosed a region of increased [C-11]clorgyline accumulation in the same location as that revealed by the [In-111]pentetreotide. In 4 subjects who had multiple regions of somatostatin receptor positive neoplasm, the PET scan disclosed fewer regions of increased tracer accumulation than those observed with the [In-111]pentetreotide scan. No abnormal tracer accumulation was identified on the images of the remaining 4 subjects, even where they had intense foci in the [In-111]pentetreotide scan. Conclusions: The discrepancy between the [C-11]clorgyline and the [In-111]pentetreotide scans likely reflects the different targets of these two tracers i.e. MAO A versus somatostatin receptors. The findings suggest that these two targets are not consistently co-expressed in carcinoid tumors. The abnormal accumulation of [C-11]clorgyline in 7 of the subjects shows the feasibility of assessing MAO A with this radiotracer in carcinoid tumors. Further studies are warranted to investigate the specific binding of this radiotracer in the tumor, to assess its correlation with its histochemistry characteristics, and to determine the best timing protocol for imaging. Research Support (if any): Supported by DOE/OBER and NIH/GCRC 5-MO1-RR-10710
Effect of Processing Variables on the Mechanical Reliability of Copper Pillar SnAg Solder Joints

The effect of the variation of processing parameters such as thermal history, or the composition of Sn-Ag-Cu solder joints, on microstructure and reliability performance depends strongly on joint geometry, in particular length scale. The advent of 2.5/3D packaging technologies in microelectronics has further decreased joint length scales and changed interconnect aspect ratios to reduce I/O pitch. While fifty to one-hundred-micron diameter joints are becoming more common, the diameter of some SnAg based solder joints has been reduced to as little as ten microns, affecting the solidification microstructure and the formation of intermetallic compounds at solder/metallization interfaces. This study investigates these effects and correlates them with shear strength and reliability performance in accelerated thermal cycle test. Comparisons with results from solder joint studies at much larger length scales (ball grid array) are reported. Copper pillars having Sn caps with controlled variations of Ag content, height, and diameter were joined to silicon interposer substrates with Cu based metallizations. The microstructures of such Cu pillar to interposer solder joints, as well as those of reflowed (but unjoined) copper pillar structures were examined using optical and electron microscopy. The size and number density of Ag3Sn precipitates were quantified for a number of different processing conditions. The shear strength of solder caps as-reflowed on Cu pillars was measured. Accelerated thermal cycling test was the primary means of reliability testing for the interposer joint structures.
Energy Reserves of Individual Southern Pine Beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) as Determined by a Modified Phosphovanillin Spectrophotometry Method

A modification of the sulfophosphovanillin photometric method for determining cholesterol levels in mammalian blood sera was adapted for determining the percentage of lipid in individual southern pine beetles, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann. This method is simple and provided consistent results. It is ideally suited to ecological and physiological studies involving bark beetle behavior such as flight, orientation, oogenesis, and spermatogenesis. Using this modified method and flight mills, it was confirmed that lipids were metabolized during southern pine beetle flight and that females, the sex that initiates tree colonization, are heavier than males, contain a greater percentage of lipid, and are capable of flying longer and farther than male beetles. Regardless of sex, the greater the weight of the beetle, the greater its flight potential.
Toward Noninvasive Probing of Maternal-Fetal-Microbial Interactions during Pregnancy.

A balanced maternal immune system is critical for tolerance of the fetus. Mechanisms influencing immune balance are not well characterized. A major barrier is the requirement for invasively collected fetal tissue, risking fetal injury or demise. Mounting evidence suggests that this immune balance may be affected by composition and dynamics of the maternal microbiome, which are also only incompletely understood (1, 2). In addition, the maternal immune system is also critical for protecting the fetus from intrauterine infections. Teratogenic effects of gestational Zika virus infections have highlighted the threat to the fetus posed by a long list of diverse pathogens. In many settings, pregnant women and newborns are therefore screened for a range of infections by serologic or pathogen-directed tests. Broad, sensitive, noninvasive screening for pathogens and longitudinal profiling of the maternal microbiota thus hold much promise for identifying at-risk pregnancies that may benefit from additional workup and/or close monitoring. In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , Pan et al. provide proof-of-concept that a single, noninvasive testing strategy may be able to address these challenges (3). By using next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)3 of cell-free RNA (cfRNA) in plasma of pregnant women, Pan et al. probe the maternofetal immune balance, assess cellular dynamics in the placenta/fetus, profile the maternal microbiota, and screen for a wide range of infections that may harm the fetus. Fetal RNA is shed from the placental and other fetal tissues and circulates as cfRNA in the mother's bloodstream. Fetal cfRNA makes up a small fraction of the total cfRNA but that fraction increases during gestation from <5% to 10%–15% (4, 5). Profiling of cfRNA provides a noninvasive approach enabling longitudinal studies of physiologic and …
Modeling Product Marketing as a Diffusion Process: A System Dynamics Perspective

The launch of a new product is of strategic importance to any company. While an exciting moment, it is also the culmination of a long complex process. It is a process that is not one dimensional, but rather a conglomerate of interrelated and interdependent factors such as design, distribution, logistics, finance, and advertising, among many others. All these various factors are interconnected, pushing on each other and being pushed on in return. Accordingly, it is safe to say that the launch and market diffusion of a new product is a clear example of a multi-loop, nonlinear, feedback system characterized by a large number of interrelated variables that interact dynamically over time through an information feedback process. This concept of understanding the behavior of complex systems over time through examining internal feedback loops is known as system dynamics. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the utility of a system dynamics model to simulate the growth and diffusion of a new or specific product from a marketing perspective.
Ion selective electrode for determination of chloride ion in biological materials, food products, soils and waste water.

The chloride ion selective electrode is used for a rapid, simple, and reliable determination of chloride ion in biological materials (blood serum, urine, fish, and plant tissues), food products (milk, beef extract, nutrient broth and orange, tomato, and grapefruit juices), soils, and waste water (industrial and municipal). The method consists of treating the samples with perchloric acid (pH 1) and potassium peroxydisulfate and determining the chloride content either by a calibration curve or by known addition or analyte addition, using the chloride ion selective electrode. Such sample treatment eliminates most of the interferences occurring in the samples, including iodide, complexing and reducing compounds, and macromolecular and surface-active species. The method is suitable for a wide range of chloride concentration, e.g., 5010 ppm Cl- in nutrient broth and 4890 ppm in beef extract and as low as 12 and 80 ppm in soil extracts.
Principles of Fixation

The operating room is the orthopaedic surgeon’s carpenter workshop—not to minimize the importance of the job. This psychomotor specialty requires three-dimensional awareness and technical skills, along with an understanding of biology and bone healing. This chapter reviews some of the carpentry skills required to attain the objective.
Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 D1 (Ube2D1) mediates lysine-independent ubiquitination of the E3 ubiquitin ligase March-I

March-I is a membrane-bound E3 ubiquitin ligase belonging to the membrane-associated RING-CH (March) family. March-I ubiquitinates and down-regulates the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86) in antigen-presenting cells. March-I expression is regulated both transcriptionally and posttranslationally, and it has been reported that March-I is ubiquitinated and that this ubiquitination contributes to March-I turnover. However, the molecular mechanism regulating March-I ubiquitination and the importance of March-I's E3 ligase activity for March-I ubiquitination are not fully understood. Here we confirmed that, although March-I is ubiquitinated, it is not ubiquitinated on a lysine residue, as a lysine-less March-I variant was ubiquitinated similarly as wildtype March-I. We found that March-I E3 ligase activity is not required for its ubiquitination and does not regulate March-I protein expression, suggesting that March-I does not undergo autoubiquitination. Knocking down ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 D1 (Ube2D1) impaired March-I ubiquitination, increased March-I expression, and enhanced March-I–dependent down-regulation of MHC-II proteins. Taken together, our results suggest that March-I undergoes lysine-independent ubiquitination by an as yet unidentified E3 ubiquitin ligase that, together with Ube2D1, regulates March-I expression.
Interdependent Interaction of Occupational Burnout and Organizational Commitments: Case Study of Academic Institutions Located in Guangxi Province, China

While the education situations develop rapidly currently, the group of college instructors gains more and more attention. The management of the college is macroscopical, while the position of college instructors is distinctive, and a lot of researchers focus on this group. As to understand the feature of this group, the occupational burnout and organizational commitments of college instructors are the two of important factors. In the current system, it is noticed that the position of the college instructors often is marginalized, such as unclear responsibilities and ambiguous duties, which cause the problem that college instructors sense tough during work, high pressured, and self-role confusion. If they hardly get personal accomplishment and achievement, as a result, the level of occupational burnout would rise up; meanwhile, the level of organizational commitments would decline. This position in college could be difficult to stay steady or be constructed well. Generally, it would affect the development of college and university. Therefore, the study and research for the occupational burnout and organizational commitments of college instructors are vital. However, so far most researches on this subject in Guangxi are apt to be theoretical rather than being practical and functional. This study is based on the review of the related literature and combines the conditions of college in Guangxi. Collecting the data by feasible questionnaire tables among more than 100 college instructors who were selected from about eight colleges of Guangxi, then the data was statistically analyzed by SPSS. According to the result, the main conclusion is made; meanwhile, the outlook of this group would be illustrated. Hypotheses in this study are as follows: H1: The level of burnout among individuals differed via distinctions of gender, age, years of working, marital status, and academic category will be discrepant significantly. H2: The degree of organizational commitments among individuals differed via distinctions of gender, age, years of working, marital status, and academic category will be discrepant significantly. H3: Occupational burnout will be negatively associated with organizational commitments. H4: Occupational burnout will be predictable significantly to organizational commitments.
A cone surface in three-dimensional analyses of slopes with tension cut-off

A three-dimensional limit analysis of slopes is presented in this paper, based on a right circular cone failure surface. The associated translational mechanism appears to yield better assessment of...
Magnetic behavior in Mg-stabilized bcc beta -Gd and beta -Dy.

bcc \ensuremath{\beta}-Gd and \ensuremath{\beta}-Dy, stabilized by Mg additions, exhibit spin-glass-like behavior. Both systems show field-cooling effects in the magnetic susceptibility which is indicative of spin freezing reactions. The \ensuremath{\beta}-Gd alloys order ferromagnetically (l80 K) first on cooling before undergoing a Gabay-Toulouse-type reentrant spin-glass transition (l50 K) into a mixed ferromagnetic plus spin-glass phase. Low-field ac susceptibility measurements show both the Curie and spin freezing transitions. Low-temperature heat capacity (down to 1.5 K) shows evidence of both ferromagnetic and spin-glass excitations. A magnetic phase diagram predicts a pure spin-glass phase for Gd concentrations up to 66 at. % Gd. The \ensuremath{\beta}-Dy alloys exhibit a cusp in the ac susceptibility characteristic of spin-glass behavior. Field-cooled magnetic-susceptibility measurements suggest a close competition between antiferromagnetism and spin-glass behavior. The occurrence of the maximum in the magnetic susceptibility at 1.4 T is evidence that some atoms may order antiferromagnetically. A large linear heat-capacity term which is probably due to both the electronic specific heat \ensuremath{\gamma} and a spin-glass contribution plus the presence of large ${T}^{2}$ and ${T}^{3}$ terms support the mixed-state hypothesis. The metastable bcc Gd-Mg and Dy-Mg alloys are unique in that they have the highest concentration of magnetic atoms in a crystalline, metallic spin glass (g70 at. % Gd or Dy).
Effects of alpha-7 nicotinic allosteric modulator PNU 120596 on depressive-like behavior after lipopolysaccharide administration in mice.

Abstract Evidence suggests that α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) in the central nervous system has a critical role in the regulation of microglial function and neuroinflammation associated with the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder. The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of PNU 120596, an α7 nAChR positive allosteric modulator (PAM), on depressive-like behavior and expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), a microglial marker, in male C57BL/6J mice following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, an animal model for depressive-like behavior. Forced swim test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and sucrose preference test were used to determine the effects of PNU 120596 on depressive-like behavior, measured by increased immobility time or decreased sucrose preference. We also examined the effects of PNU 120596 on Iba-1 expression by using Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, the brain regions implicated in major depressive disorder. Administration of LPS (1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased immobility time during FST and TST and decreased sucrose preference. The PNU 120596 (1 or 4 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently prevented LPS-induced depressive-like behavior during FST, TST, and sucrose preference test. The PNU 120596 (1 or 4 mg/kg) alone did not show any significant alteration on immobility time and sucrose preference. Pretreatment of methyllycaconitine (3 mg/kg, i.p.), an α7 nAChR antagonist, significantly prevented the antidepressant-like effects of PNU (4 mg/kg). Similarly, the PNU 120596 (4 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced LPS-induced increased expression of Iba-1 in the hippocampus or prefrontal cortex. Overall, these results suggest that PNU 120596 reduces LPS-induced depressive-like behavior and microglial activation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in mice. Therefore, α7 nAChR PAMs could be developed as potential therapeutic utility for the treatment of major depressive disorder in humans.
Physics-Inspired Garment Recovery from a Single-View Image

Most recent garment capturing techniques rely on acquiring multiple views of clothing, which may not always be readily available, especially in the case of pre-existing photographs from the web. As an alternative, we propose a method that is able to compute a 3D model of a human body and its outfit from a single photograph with little human interaction. Our algorithm is not only able to capture the global shape and overall geometry of the clothing, it can also extract the physical properties (i.e., material parameters needed for simulation) of cloth. Unlike previous methods using full 3D information (i.e., depth, multi-view images, or sampled 3D geometry), our approach achieves garment recovery from a single-view image by using physical, statistical, and geometric priors and a combination of parameter estimation, semantic parsing, shape/pose recovery, and physics-based cloth simulation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm by re-purposing the reconstructed garments for virtual try-on and garment transfer applications and for cloth animation on digital characters.
Diagnostic Tools in Hernia Disease

Although the majority of inguinal and ventral hernias can be diagnosed using history and physical, imaging modalities are often used in hernia disease to confirm diagnosis or to diagnose occult hernias, to assist in operative planning of complex hernia repairs, and to follow up patients for recurrence and to evaluate for causes of chronic pain after hernia repair. Several imaging modalities commonly used include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each of these modalities has a place in the evaluation of hernia disease with the use tailored to the information needed and based on the clinical scenario. This chapter reviews the imaging modalities commonly used in inguinal and ventral/incisional hernia disease including recommendations for their use.
Book review: Sheldon Pollock, A Rasa Reader: Classical Indian Aesthetics:

Sheldon Pollock, A Rasa Reader: Classical Indian Aesthetics, New York: Columbia University Press, 2016, 472 pp.
Cinnamic aldehyde increases antioxidant defenses in vascular smooth muscle cells after injury

Background Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Atherosclerosis is treated by revascularization procedures that often fail due to neointimal hyperplasia (NH). NH results from vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation from the media into the intima. Overproduction of reactive species drives NH formation. Furthermore, diabetes is a metabolic disorder that accelerates redox dysfunction and promotes both atherosclerosis and NH. We previously showed that the Nrf2 activator cinnamic aldehyde (CA) inhibits NH after carotid artery balloon injury in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. We hypothesize that CA inhibits NH by improving antioxidant defenses in VSMC via Nrf2 activation. Methods VSMC were isolated from the aortae of male ZDF rats. Nrf2 pathway activation was assessed by Western blot and confocal microscopy. Antioxidants were measured by Western blot and colorimetric assays. CA (100 µM) in Pluronic F127 (100 µL) or vehicle alone was applied to the periadventitial surface of the carotid after balloon injury in male ZDF rats. Arteries were harvested 3 days after surgery for measuring Nrf2 nuclear translocation and relative redox state. Dihydroethidium (DHE) and 3-nitrotyrosine staining were used to analyze redox dysfunction. Results 100 µM CA induced Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus in vitro and in vivo. CA activated the Nrf2 pathway in vitro as evidenced by increased levels (P Conclusion CA activated the Nrf2 pathway and improved antioxidant defenses in a diabetic rat model. Localized Nrf2 activation may provide a new therapeutic target for inhibiting NH.
Azithromycin Exposure Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Cancer Relapse in Acute Leukemia

Introduction Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the lung, also known as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), is associated with high mortality, but treatment with the combination of fluticasone, azithromycin, and montelukast (FAM) stabilizes lung function in the majority of patients. Recently, a randomized controlled trial evaluating azithromycin given at the time of conditioning for GVHD prevention was closed prematurely due to an increased risk of cancer relapse in azithromycin recipients. We evaluated whether exposure to azithromycin after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), primarily for treatment of BOS, was also associated with a higher rate of cancer progression. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent allo-HCT and experienced a significant decline in pulmonary function from pre-HCT values (decrease in forced expiratory volumes in 1 second of ≥10% OR mid-flow rates of ≥25%) between 2005 and 2015. Risk factors for cancer progression were examined using cause-specific univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis with azithromycin exposure evaluated as a time-dependent covariate. Results Among 672 eligible allo-HCT recipients with pulmonary decline, 9% (n=63) received azithromycin, including 41 patients for BOS and 22 patients for chronic treatment for mycobacterial infection or bacterial prophylaxis. Table 1 shows characteristics of the entire study cohort. No patients with chronic lymphocytic or myeloid leukemia (n=13) or lymphoma (n=12) who were exposed to azithromycin experienced cancer progression during the study period. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of azithromycin exposure on the rate of cancer progression in the subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS, n-327) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, n=91). The median follow-up since allo-HCT in this subgroup was 73 months (range 5-148 months). 38 of these patients were exposed to azithromycin at a median time of 25 months (interquartile range 11-46 months) after allo-HCT. In multivariate analysis, azithromycin (HR 3.7, 95% CI 1.5-9.4, p=0.005) and unfavorable cytogenetics (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5, p=0.004) were associated with increased rates of cancer progression. Median time to cancer progression from time of allo-HCT was 8 months (range 1-98 months) for the entire cohort, while the median time to cancer progression was later in those exposed to azithromycin (median 21 months, range 4-25 months). The median time to cancer progression after exposure to azithromycin was 51 days (range 17-847 days). Conclusion Our findings show that recipients of allo-HCT for treatment of AML/MDS or ALL, exposure to azithromycin for BOS or infections is associated with an increased rate of cancer progression.
THE EFFECT OF PLATELET MAPPING ON LENGTH OF STAY AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN A COHORT OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING

Dual antiplatelet therapy is a key strategy to prevent thrombosis and ischemia in patients with high risk coronary artery disease. These drugs are often irreversible, necessitating a wait period before surgery to prevent perioperative bleeding events, however, individual response is widely variable
Native Language and Stimuli Signal Prediction from EEG

Understanding the neural processing of natural speech processing is an important first step for designing Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) based speech enhancement and speech recognition systems. Complex neural signals like electroencephalography (EEG) are time-varying and has a non-linear relationship with continuous speech. Linear models can decode stimulus features reliably, but the correlation between the reconstructed signal and continuous EEG remain low despite attempts at optimization. In the current application, we demonstrate the utility of a Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) model to relate various stimuli features such as the envelope, spectrogram to the continuous EEG in a cocktail party scenario. We use a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network architecture that has self-connecting loops which help in preserving past information to predict future value. Given that predictability plays a critical role in speech comprehension, we posit that such a neural network architecture yield better results. In attended condition, for native participants, the LSTM models yield 30% and 22% mean correlation improvement and for non-native participants, 43% and 37% improvement over linear models for envelope and spectrogram respectively with EEG. Finally, we have trained a single model to predict the native language of a participant using EEG and it yielded 95% accuracy.
Identification and quantification of defective virus genomes in high throughput sequencing data using DVG-profiler, a novel post-sequence alignment processing algorithm

Most viruses are known to spontaneously generate defective viral genomes (DVG) due to errors during replication. These DVGs are subgenomic and contain deletions that render them unable to complete a full replication cycle in the absence of a co-infecting, non-defective helper virus. DVGs, especially of the copyback type, frequently observed with paramyxoviruses, have been recognized to be important triggers of the antiviral innate immune response. DVGs have therefore gained interest for their potential to alter the attenuation and immunogenicity of vaccines. To investigate this potential, accurate identification and quantification of DVGs is essential. Conventional methods, such as RT-PCR, are labor intensive and will only detect primer sequence-specific species. High throughput sequencing (HTS) is much better suited for this undertaking. Here, we present an HTS-based algorithm called DVG-profiler to identify and quantify all DVG sequences in an HTS data set generated from a virus preparation. DVG-profiler identifies DVG breakpoints relative to a reference genome and reports the directionality of each segment from within the same read. The specificity and sensitivity of the algorithm was assessed using both in silico data sets as well as HTS data obtained from parainfluenza virus 5, Sendai virus and mumps virus preparations. HTS data from the latter were also compared with conventional RT-PCR data and with data obtained using an alternative algorithm. The data presented here demonstrate the high specificity, sensitivity, and robustness of DVG-profiler. This algorithm was implemented within an open source cloud-based computing environment for analyzing HTS data. DVG-profiler might prove valuable not only in basic virus research but also in monitoring live attenuated vaccines for DVG content and to assure vaccine lot to lot consistency.
Outcomes of percutaneous vacuum‐assisted debulking of large vegetations as an adjunct to lead extraction

Background Consensus statements on lead extraction give consideration to open surgical removal in the setting of large vegetations, to mitigate the risk of massive embolism that may occur with percutaneous lead removal. Vacuum-assisted debulking (VD) of large vegetations as an adjunct to percutaneous lead extraction may provide an opportunity to mitigate these risks. Methods We retrospectively identified all patients undergoing lead extraction at our institution for endovascular infection from 2012 to 2018 and stratified them into two groups based on presence of adjunctive VD (n = 6) or without VD (no-VD, n = 39). VD was performed with the AngioVac system (Angio-Dynamics, Latham, NY, USA). Results Across the cohort, mean age was 62 ± 15 years, ejection fraction was 41 ± 16%, and 39% had end-stage renal disease on dialysis. Defibrillator systems were present in 71%, and 22% had cardiac resynchronization devices. Mean duration of the oldest extracted lead was 6.3 ± 4.9 years. There were no significant differences in baseline covariates between groups. Those in the VD group were significantly less likely to have Staphylococcus aureus as a causative organism (P = .04). In the VD group, vegetations targeted for debulking ranged in size from 1.8 to 6 cm (longest dimension). There were no operative deaths or clinically evident embolic events in either group. The overall nonfatal complication rate in the VD group was higher (33.3% vs 2.3%, P = .043). Conclusion VD can be performed as an adjunct to percutaneous lead extraction with a reasonable safety profile. The relative safety and efficacy of this approach removal requires further study.
Passive Coherent Laser Beam Combining With Spatial Mode Selecting Feedback

A general ${N}$ -by- ${N}$ coupling matrix that provides lossless uniform feedback to all laser array elements is demonstrated in the analysis of a passive coherent beam combining resonator. The resonator contains a spatial filter that sends rejected optical power from the combining optic back into the cavity. This recycling of otherwise unused power yields an increase in the average laser output power that scales with array size ${N}$ , even in the absence of passive phase effects that depend on the gain, intensity, and wavelength of the laser mode. To achieve this improvement, tailored path lengths and mirror reflectivities are required in the feedback arms, where the phase may be fixed, whereas in the gain arms, the path lengths vary randomly.
Négritude: A passion in Abiola Irele’s work

This essay focuses on Abiola Irele’s passionate and life-long engagement with negritude and the centrality of his thinking and writing about negritude to his œuvre. Using one of Irele’s final lectu...
Hyperspectral imaging and neural networks to classify herbicide-resistant weeds

A segment of the field of precision agriculture is being developed to accurately and quickly map the location of herbicide-resistant and herbicide-susceptible weeds using advanced optics and computer algorithms. In our previous paper, we classified herbicide-susceptible and herbicide-resistant kochia [ Bassia scoparia (L.) Schrad.] using ground-based hyperspectral imaging and a support vector machine learning algorithm, achieving classification accuracies of up to 80%. In our current work, we imaged kochia along with marestail (also called horseweed) [ Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist] and common lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album L.) and the crops barley, corn, dry pea, garbanzo, lentils, pinto bean, safflower, and sugar beet, all of which were grown at the Southern Agricultural Research Center in Huntley, Montana. These plants were imaged using both ground-based and drone-based hyperspectral imagers and were classified using a neural network machine learning algorithm. Depending on what plants were imaged, the age of the plants, and lighting conditions, the classification accuracies ranged from 77% to 99% for spectra acquired on our ground-based imaging platform and from 25% to 79% on our drone-based platform. These accuracies were generally highest when imaging younger plants.
Modeling and Experimental Evaluation of a Variable Hydraulic Transmission

A low-loss hydraulic transmission offers an efficient and lightweight means to route power from a central source to distal actuators, with example applications in legged and wearable robots. For example, one could develop a completely passive hydraulic transmission for an exoskeleton that routes power from a healthy limb to a limb weakened by neurological injury to enable self-assist or rehabilitation. In this article, we introduce and model a variable hydraulic transmission that features rolling diaphragm cylinders and a discretely variable transmission ratio. The variable transmission utilizes digital hydraulics, wherein valves switch redundantly mounted cylinders in and out of the hydraulic circuit. The article discusses the impact of configuration on the available transmission ratios and passivity. Our modeling efforts focus on the parasitic effects that arise with power losses between the driving and driven joints, compliance and energy storage in the transmission, and drift during switching. We carefully validate the model, comparing analytically predicted fine and gross behaviors to experimental observations. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and utility of the proposed device and the associated model which serves as an important tool for the design and control of digital hydraulic transmission systems.
Metabolism of Gluconeogenic Substrates by an Intracellular Fungal Pathogen Circumvents Nutritional Limitations within Macrophages

ABSTRACT Microbial pathogens exploit host nutrients to proliferate and cause disease. Intracellular pathogens, particularly those exclusively living in the phagosome such as Histoplasma capsulatum, must adapt and acquire nutrients within the nutrient-limited phagosomal environment. In this study, we investigated which host nutrients could be utilized by Histoplasma as carbon sources to proliferate within macrophages. Histoplasma yeasts can grow on hexoses and amino acids but not fatty acids as the carbon source in vitro. Transcriptional analysis and metabolism profiling showed that Histoplasma yeasts downregulate glycolysis and fatty acid utilization but upregulate gluconeogenesis within macrophages. Depletion of glycolysis or fatty acid utilization pathways does not prevent Histoplasma growth within macrophages or impair virulence in vivo. However, loss of function in Pck1, the enzyme catalyzing the first committed step of gluconeogenesis, impairs Histoplasma growth within macrophages and severely attenuates virulence in vivo, indicating that Histoplasma yeasts rely on catabolism of gluconeogenic substrates (e.g., amino acids) to proliferate within macrophages. IMPORTANCEHistoplasma is a primary human fungal pathogen that survives and proliferates within host immune cells, particularly within the macrophage phagosome compartment. The phagosome compartment is a nutrient-limited environment, requiring Histoplasma yeasts to be able to assimilate available carbon sources within the phagosome to meet their nutritional needs. In this study, we showed that Histoplasma yeasts do not utilize fatty acids or hexoses for growth within macrophages. Instead, Histoplasma yeasts consume gluconeogenic substrates to proliferate in macrophages. These findings reveal the phagosome composition from a nutrient standpoint and highlight essential metabolic pathways that are required for a phagosomal pathogen to proliferate in this intracellular environment.
Compensated Cirrhosis Is Associated With Increased Risk of Complications Following Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Large Medicare Database.

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to evaluate medical and surgical complications of liver cirrhosis patients following total hip arthroplasty (THA), with attention to different etiologies of cirrhosis and their financial burden following THA. Methods In total, 18,321 cirrhotics and 722,757 non-cirrhotics who underwent primary elective THA between 2006 and 2013 were identified from a retrospective database review. This cohort was further subdivided into 2 major etiologies of cirrhosis (viral and alcoholic cirrhosis) and other cirrhotic etiology. Cirrhotics were compared to non-cirrhotics for hospital length of stay, 90-day mean total charges and reimbursement, hospital readmission, and major medical and arthroplasty-specific complications. Results Cirrhosis was associated with increased rates of major medical complications (4.3% vs 2.4%; odds ratio [OR] 1.20, P Conclusion Cirrhosis, especially viral and alcoholic etiologies, is associated with higher risk of early postoperative complications and healthcare utilization following elective THA.
Hardening Critical Infrastructure Networks Against Attacker Reconnaissance

The knowledge an attacker gathers about the critical infrastructure network they infiltrate allows them to customize the payload and remain undetected while causing maximum impact. This knowledge is a consequence of internal reconnaissance in the cyber network by lateral movement and is enabled by exploiting discovered vulnerabilities. This stage of the attack is also the longest, thereby giving a defender the biggest opportunity to detect and react to the attacker.
Reliable Correlational Cuing While Controlling for Most-Recent-Pairing Effects

Irrelevant aspects of the environment or irrelevant attributes of task-relevant stimuli can have important and reliable effects on behavior. When the specific values of an irrelevant stimulus attribute are correlated with different responses, a correlational-cuing effect is observed: faster and more accurate responses when the correlation is positive than when it is negative. Previous work has shown that this effect is not due to simple differences in how often the specific stimuli are being presented, and most explanations of the effect have stressed the clear parallels with classical associative learning. Very recently, however, evidence in favor of an alternative model has been presented. This model focuses on transient linkages or bindings between the irrelevant stimulus attribute and one of the possible responses. This model is quite distinct from that based on classical learning as it only depends on most-recent-pairing of stimulus and response, instead of all previous experiences. In the recent work, no evidence of correlational cuing was found when most-recent-pairing was taken into account, but we argue that the experimental conditions employed were not optimized for associative learning. A new experiment that was designed to favor associative learning was conducted and produced reliable evidence of correlational cuing even when most-recent-pairing was controlled for. We conclude that the correlation-cuing effect is due to both associative learning and transient binding, with the relative contributions of each mechanism depending on specific experimental conditions.