cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of angiotensin II in hemodynamic responses to dynamic exercise in miniswine.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is a potent vasoconstrictor of splanchnic and renal resistance vessels. Because ANG II increases during exercise and blood flow in the splanchnic and renal circulations decr...
Association screening of common and rare genetic variants by penalized regression

Motivation: This article extends our recent research on penalized estimation methods in genome-wide association studies to the realm of rare variants. Results: The new strategy is tested on both simulated and real data. Our findings on breast cancer data replicate previous results and shed light on variant effects within genes. Availability: Rare variant discovery by group penalized regression is now implemented in the free program Mendel at http://www.genetics.ucla.edu/software/ Contact: huazhou@ucla.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Phonotrauma associated with crying.

Summary Vocal fold hemorrhage often results in a sudden change in voice quality. Traumatic use of the voice (phonation or singing) is generally thought to be the cause of the vocal fold hemorrhage. The current report reviews three cases in which the traumatic event was crying. In one case, the patient's voice was only used for crying. All three patients were female and all were professional singers. The treatment of these individuals consisted of voice rest and subsequent phonomicrosurgery for lesions associated with the vocal fold hemorrhage. These case studies suggest that crying as a traumatic vocal behavior may result in vocal fold hemorrhage.
Large-Scale Pairwise Alignments on GPU Clusters: Exploring the Implementation Space

Several problems in computational biology require the all-against-all pairwise comparisons of tens of thousands of individual biological sequences. Each such comparison can be performed with the well-known Needleman-Wunsch alignment algorithm. However, with the rapid growth of biological databases, performing all possible comparisons with this algorithm in serial becomes extremely time-consuming. The massive computational power of graphics processing units (GPUs) makes them an appealing choice for accelerating these computations. As such, CPU-GPU clusters can enable all-against-all comparisons on large datasets. In this work, we present four GPU implementations for large-scale pairwise sequence alignment: TiledDScan-mNW, DScan-mNW, RScan-mNW and LazyRScan-mNW. The proposed GPU kernels exhibit different parallelization patterns: we discuss how each parallelization strategy affects the memory accesses and the utilization of the underlying GPU hardware. We evaluate our implementations on a variety of low- and high-end GPUs with different compute capabilities. Our results show that all the proposed solutions outperform the existing open-source implementation from the Rodinia Benchmark Suite, and LazyRScan-mNW is the preferred solution for applications that require performing the trace-back operation only on a subset of the considered sequence pairs (for example, the pairs whose alignment score exceeds a predefined threshold). Finally, we discuss the integration of the proposed GPU kernels into a hybrid MPI-CUDA framework for deployment on CPU-GPU clusters. In particular, our proposed distributed design targets both homogeneous and heterogeneous clusters with nodes that differ amongst themselves in their hardware configuration.
Staphylococcus aureus Induces Type I IFN Signaling in Dendritic Cells Via TLR9

The importance of type I IFN signaling in the innate immune response to viral and intracellular pathogens is well established, with an increasing literature implicating extracellular bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, in this signaling pathway. Airway epithelial cells and especially dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to the production of type I IFNs in the lung. We were interested in establishing how S. aureus activates the type I IFN cascade in DCs. In vitro studies confirmed the rapid uptake of S. aureus by DCs followed promptly by STAT1 phosphorylation and expression of IFN-β. Signaling occurred using heat-killed organisms and in the absence of PVL and α-toxin. Consistent with the participation of endosomal and not cytosolic receptors, signaling was predominantly mediated by MyD88, TLR9, and IRF1 and blocked by cytochalasin D, dynasore, and chloroquine. To determine the role of TLR9 signaling in the pathogenesis of S. aureus pneumonia, we infected WT and Tlr9(-/-) mice with MRSA USA300. Tlr9(-/-) mice had significantly improved clearance of S. aureus from the airways and lung tissue. Ifnar(-/-) mice also had improved clearance. This enhanced clearance in Tlr9(-/-) mice was not due to differences in the numbers of recruited neutrophils into the airways, but instead correlated with decreased induction of TNF. Thus, we identified TLR9 as the critical receptor mediating the induction of type I IFN signaling in DCs in response to S. aureus, illustrating an additional mechanism through which S. aureus exploits innate immune signaling to facilitate infection.
Massive adenopathy in oropharyngeal tularemia; C.T. demonstration.

The CT appearance of oropharyngeal tularemia in a 3 1/2 year-old boy is described. Tularemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of massive adenotonsillar enlargement and extensive necrotic cervical adenopathy.
How fast is too fast? evaluating fast forward surrogates for digital video

To support effective browsing, interfaces to digital video libraries should include video surrogates (i.e., smaller objects that can stand in for the videos in the collection, analogous to abstracts standing in for documents). The current study investigated four variations (i.e., speeds) of one form of video surrogate: a fast forward created by selecting every Nth frame from the full video. In addition, it tested the validity of six measures of user performance when interacting with video surrogates. Forty-five study participants interacted with all four versions of the fast forward surrogate, and completed all six performance tasks with each. Surrogate speed affected performance on four of the measures: object recognition (graphical), action recognition, linguistic gist comprehension (full text), and visual gist comprehension. Based on these results, we recommend a fast forward default speed of 1:64 of the original video keyframes. In addition, users should control the choice of fast forward speed to adjust for content characteristics and personal preferences.
Network propagation models for gene selection

In this paper, we explore several network propagation methods for gene selection from microarray gene expression datasets. The network propagation methods capture gene co-expression and differential expression with unified machine learning frameworks. Large scale experiments on five breast cancer datasets validated that the network propagation methods are capable of selecting genes that are more biologically interpretable and more consistent across multiple datasets, compared with the existing approaches.
Job insecurity, work-family imbalance, and hostile work environment: prevalence data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey.

Background Little nationally representative information on job insecurity, work-family imbalance, and hostile work environments experienced by workers in the US is available. Methods Prevalence rates from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were calculated for three workplace psychosocial factors (job insecurity, work-family imbalance, bullying/harassment) using SUDAAN to account for the complex NHIS sample design. Results Data were available for 17,524 adults who worked in the 12 months that preceded the interview. Overall prevalence rates were 31.7% for job insecurity, 16.3% for work-family imbalance, and 7.8% for hostile work environment (being bullied or harassed). The highest prevalence rate of job insecurity was found for construction and extraction occupations. Workers in legal occupations had the highest prevalence rate of work-family imbalance. Workers in protective service occupations had the highest prevalence rate of hostile work environment. Conclusions We identified demographic characteristics along with industries and occupations with the highest prevalence rates for three adverse workplace psychosocial factors. These data can be used for benchmarking and identification of targets for investigation and intervention activities. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:660–669, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A conceptual model for examining density dependence in the growth of stream trout

Determination of the occurrence and importance of densitydependent responses is central to understanding stream trout population dynamics. I propose a conceptual model of growth, based on a distribution of feeding site quality, that considers the effects of density on growth. The site quality model assumes that trout select the best feeding sites available and, as the number of trout increases, they will be forced to use less energetically profitable sites, resulting in decreased growth, but also an increase in variance of size or growth. Results from a 3-year study of a brown trout (Salmo trutta) population show that growth to age 1 was significantly reduced for the 1981 year class, which was about 4 times more dense than other year classes. The reduction in growth was not due to a decrease in the growth of all trout but rather an increase in the number of slower growing fish. These results are consistent with my site quality distribution model and suggest that individual fish growth, the distribution of growth, and the variance of growth rates should be considered in addition to mean size and growth.
Multi-State Load Models for Distribution System Analysis

Recent work in the field of distribution system analysis has shown that the traditional method of peak load analysis is not adequate for the evaluation of emerging distribution system technologies. Voltage optimization, demand response, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage are examples of technologies with characteristics having daily, seasonal, and/or annual variations. In addition to the seasonal variations, emerging technologies such as demand response and plug-in electric vehicle charging have the potential to receive control signals that affects their energy consumption. To support time-series analysis over different time frames and to incorporate potential control signal inputs, detailed end-use load models that accurately represent loads under various conditions, and not just during the peak load period, are necessary. This paper will build on previous end-use load modeling work and outline the methods of general multi-state load models for distribution system analysis.
Characterizing TEMPO-mediated oxidation of ECF bleached softwood kraft pulps

Abstract Elementally chlorine-free (ECF) bleached softwood (SW) kraft pulp was catalytically oxidized with the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy radical (TEMPO)–KBr–NaClO system. The carboxyl group content of the fibers was improved with increasing NaClO charge whereas, the carbonyl group content of fibers approached a maximum when a charge of 0.85 mmol NaClO/g o.d. fibers or higher was employed. The degree of polymerization of fibers drastically decreased from 2416 to 688 depending on the increase of NaClO charge during the TEMPO-mediated oxidation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the original fibers and the oxidized fibers showed that TEMPO-mediated oxidation is able to remove the primary wall of SW kraft fibers. The optimum reaction temperature and pH for TEMPO-mediated oxidative generation of carboxyl groups was found to be 23 °C at a pH of 9.10. Oxidized fibers were shown to exhibit 62.9% higher water retention values (WRV) than the original fibers. Due to the enhanced carboxyl group content after oxidation, physical strength studies of paper test sheets indicated that the tensile index of the oxidized fibers is 13.8% greater than that of the original fibers. The individual fiber strength of the oxidized fibers was 17.0% lower than that of the original fibers as determined by zero-span strength measurements.
Detection and identification of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal Schiff-base adducts along with products of Michael addition using data-dependent neutral loss-driven MS3 acquisition: method evaluation through an in vitro study on cytochrome c oxidase modifications

We report a data-dependent neutral-loss-driven MS(3) acquisition to enhance, in addition to abundant Michael adducts, the detection of Schiff-base adducts of proteins and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, a reactive end product of lipid peroxidation. In vitro modification of cytochrome c oxidase, a mitochondrial protein complex, was used as a model to evaluate the method. The technique allowed for a confident validation of modification sites and also identified a Schiff-base adduct in subunit Vb of the protein complex.
Accuracy and completeness of patient information in organic world-wide web search for Mohs surgery: A prospective cross-sectional multirater study using consensus criteria

Background Many patients obtain medical information from the Internet. Inaccurate information affects patient care and perceptions. Objective To assess the accuracy and completeness of information regarding Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) on the Internet. Methods Prospective cross-sectional Internet-based study reviewing 30 consecutive organic results from three U.S. urban areas on “Mohs surgery” using Google. Text was assessed using a consensus-derived rating scale that quantified necessary and additional or supplementary information about MMS, as well as wrong information. Websites were classified according to type of sponsor. Results Ninety-one percent of sites conveyed basic information about MMS. There was variation in the mean amount of additional information items (range 0–9) according to website type: 8.4, medical societies; 6.7, academic practices; 5.9, web-based medical information resources; 4.7, private practices; and 4.4, other (p < .001). Cumulatively, academic practices and professional societies (mean 7.42) provided more additional information than private practices and web-based sources (mean 5.11, p < .001). There were no differences based on geographic location. Wrong items included misspelling Mohs (10%), indicating that only plastic surgeons could reconstruct (7%), and noting MMS was never cost-effective (7%). Conclusions High-ranking websites provide basic information about MMS. Academic practice and professional society sites provide more-comprehensive information, but private practice sites and web-based medical information sources also provide additional information.
Single-Channel Characteristics of Wild-Type IKs Channels and Channels formed with Two MinK Mutants that Cause Long QT Syndrome

IKs channels are voltage dependent and K+ selective. They influence cardiac action potential duration through their contribution to myocyte repolarization. Assembled from minK and KvLQT1 subunits, IKs channels are notable for a heteromeric ion conduction pathway in which both subunit types contribute to pore formation. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of minK on pore function. We first characterized the properties of wild-type human IKs channels and channels formed only of KvLQT1 subunits. Channels were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes or Chinese hamster ovary cells and currents recorded in excised membrane patches or whole-cell mode. Unitary conductance estimates were dependent on bandwidth due to rapid channel “flicker.” At 25 kHz in symmetrical 100-mM KCl, the single-channel conductance of IKs channels was ∼16 pS (corresponding to ∼0.8 pA at 50 mV) as judged by noise-variance analysis; this was fourfold greater than the estimated conductance of homomeric KvLQT1 channels. Mutant IKs channels formed with D76N and S74L minK subunits are associated with long QT syndrome. When compared with wild type, mutant channels showed lower unitary currents and diminished open probabilities with only minor changes in ion permeabilities. Apparently, the mutations altered single-channel currents at a site in the pore distinct from the ion selectivity apparatus. Patients carrying these mutant minK genes are expected to manifest decreased K+ flux through IKs channels due to lowered single-channel conductance and altered gating.
Onboard near-optimal climb-dash energy management

This paper studies optimal and near-optimal trajectories of high-performance aircraft in symmetric flight. Onboard, real-time, near-optimal guidance is considered for the climb-dash mission, using some of the boundary-layer structure and hierarchical ideas from singular perturbations. In the case of symmetric flight, this resembles neighborhood-optimal guidance using energy-to-go as the running variable. However, extension to three-dimensional flight is proposed, using families of nominal paths with heading-to-go as the additional running variable. Some computational results are presented for the symmetric case.
Ineffectiveness of pitocin on the sheep gravid uterus: the role of pitocinase.

SummaryInfusion of Syntocinon into pregnant ewes increased tonus but never induced rhythmic contraction of the gravid uterus. The infusion rates spanned a range of 0.76 to 1928 mμ per min. This is many times the effective infusion rate that elicits rhythmic uterine contractility in the human. Since sheep blood contains no pitocinase whereas that of the human does, it is suggested that pitocin is effective in the presence of pitocinase.
Towards a Theory of Musicodramatic Practice in Film: Questions of Method

Preliminary considerations are set out for a reassessment of the lineage of music for motion pictures, its cultural or social significance, and adequate methods for its analysis. These considerations mostly take the form of metaquestions of a methodological nature. Some of the strands in the development of the “language” of film, and film music specifically, are identified. Awareness of the shortcomings of a given monolithic explanation may lead not to a more refined explanation but to substituting a different single cause. Importantly, the field of study encompasses different generations of film music and film composer, each with differing priorities and limitations. Certain trends and key individuals create a weighting or gravitational pull in favor of certain expectations and conventions. The potential relevance of phenomenological method is considered. The impact of conceptual lag on methodology is examined. The central question becomes: What is specific to music in film compared to other types of music?
Inclusion of an intravaginal progesterone insert plus GnRH and prostaglandin F2alpha for ovulation control in postpartum suckled beef cows.

Four experiment stations (IL, KS, MN, and MO) conducted experiments to determine effects of introducing a CIDR (controlled internal device release) into an ovulation control program for postpartum suckled beef cows. Five hundred sixty cows were assigned randomly to two treatments: 1) 100 microg of GnRH (i.m.) followed in 7 d with 25 mg of PGF2alpha, followed in 48 h by a second injection of GnRH and one fixed-time insemination (Cosynch; n = 287) or 2) Cosynch plus one CIDR during the 7 d between the first injection of GnRH and PGF2alpha (Cosynch+P; n = 273). Cows at three stations were inseminated at the time of the second GnRH injection (n = 462), whereas 98 cows at the fourth station were inseminated 16 to 18 h after that injection. Blood samples were collected at d -17, -7, 0, and 2 relative to PGF2alpha to determine concentrations of progesterone. Ultrasonography was used to monitor follicle diameter on d 2 and to determine the presence of an embryo at 30 to 35 d after insemination. Pregnancy rates were greater (P 12 mm on d 2 had greater (P 50 d before the onset of the breeding season were greater (P < 0.01) than those for cows that calved < or = 50 d. Thus, treatment of suckled cows with Cosynch yielded acceptable pregnancy rates, but addition of a CIDR improved pregnancy rates in noncycling cows. Body condition and days postpartum at initiation of the breeding season affected overall efficacy of the Cosynch and Cosynch+P protocols.
Monitoring results analysis of HIV,syphilis and HCV in national level's drug monitoring sentinel of Xixiu district in Anshun city during 2010-2013

Objective Understand the infection levels of HIV,syphilis and HCV among the drug addicts in Xixiu district,to provide basis for prevention and control work. Methods Analysis of the test data of the HIV,syphilis and HCV of the drug addicts network report by the descriptive epidemiological method in Xixiu district during 2010-2013. Results In National drug monitoring sentinel of Xixiu district in Anshun city during2010-2013,the infection rates of HIV,syphilis,HCV was 0. 94%,5. 38%,53. 63% respectively; HIV merger syphilis infection accounted for 33. 33%,HIV merger HCV infection accounted for 93. 33%,syphilis merger HCV infection accounted for 82. 56%,HIV infection rate and syphilis infection rate were in a downward trend year by year,HCV infection rate was in high level range( 44. 75-60. 50%) fluctuation. Syphilis infection rate among women( 10. 94%) was higher than in men( 3. 98%)( χ2= 24. 33,P 0. 005); HCV infection rate among 16 to 25-years-old was the lowest( 20. 25%),and among 26 to 35-years-old was the highest( 60. 10%),then increased with age gradually reduced( χ2= 97. 00,P 0. 005); the highest Syphilis infection rates( 13. 68%) appears in the cohabitants,there were significant difference between different marital status( χ2= 17. 94,P 0. 005); the highest HCV infection rate appears in high schools and technical secondary schools( 61. 77%),there were significant difference between different culture degree( χ2=14. 63,P 0. 01). HIV infection,syphilis infection,HCV infection rates were all higher in injection drug users than non injection drug users( χ2= 21. 07,13. 00,134. 83,P 0. 005). HIV infection,syphilis infection,HCV infection rates were all higher in sharing needles than not sharing needles( χ2= 21. 12,14. 67,10. 97,P 0. 005),there were no significant difference of HIV infection,syphilis infection,HCV infection rates between whether happened commercial behaviors( χ2= 0. 02,0. 15,0. 95,P 0. 05). Conclusions In Xixiu district,the HIV infection rate level of the drug addicts was low and showed declining trend year by year,but syphilis infection,HCV infection in drug addicts were in a higher level,and a high incidence of HIV,syphilis and HCV co-infection. In order to further reduce the infection of HIV,syphilis and HCV among high risk populations,should continue to maintain in functional order of clean needle exchange outpatient service and methadone maintenance treatment clinics,intensify the degrees of education and intervention for certain population,strengthening women related disease control and prevention.
Preparation and identification of DDI2 monoclonal antibody

Objective To prepare DDI2 monoclonal antibody and observe distribution of DDI2 in liver tissue.Methods BLAB/c mice were immunized with DDI2 recombinant protein.Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the distribution of DDI2 in liver tissue.Results Two monoclonal antibodies(2H3 and 2B2) were prepared and purified.The monoclonal antibody showed higher immunoactivity to recombinant DDI2 protein.Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the DDI2 mainly scattered in nucleus of hepatocytes.Compared with the normal control tissue,DDI2 was highly expressed in the injury tissue around the portal vein area.Conclusion DDI2 mainly scattered in the nuclear of hepatocytes,and its expression may be related with hepatocytes injury induced by CCl4.
Nitric oxide effects on shortening velocity and power production in the rat diaphragm

The present experiments tested nitric oxide (NO) effects on shortening velocity and power production in maximally activated rat diaphragm. Diaphragm fiber bundles (n = 10/group) were incubated at 37 degrees C in Krebs-Ringer solution containing no added drug (control), the NO synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA; 10 mM), the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 1 mM), or a combination (L-NNA + SNP) Loaded shortening velocity was measured via the load-clamp technique over a range of afterloads. Force-velocity data were fitted to the Hill equation to determine maximum velocity of shortening (Vmax). Unloaded shortening velocity was measured in control and L-NNA-treated bundles (n = 12/group) by using the slack test. Maximal isometric force and unloaded shortening velocity were not altered by L-NNA. In contrast, L-NNA decreased maximum velocity of shortening (P < 0.05), loaded shortening velocity (P < 0.0001), and power production (P < 0.0001). All L-NNA effects were prevented by coincubating fiber bundles with L-NNA + SNP. SNP alone had no effect on any variable. These data indicate that endogenous NO is essential for optimal myofilament function during active shortening.
Experiences with MOOCs in a West-African Technology Hub

Massive, Open, Online Courses (MOOCs) have been promoted as a means to revolutionize access to education. In this paper, we describe experiences with MOOCs for Liberian students who are connected to the iLab technology hub. We describe their motivations for participating as well as the challenges they encountered. We also describe the importance of the face-to-face learning environment provided by the iLab as a source of community support.
Distinct Mechanical Roles for Bacteria-Produced Biopolymers in Biofilm Initiation and Strength

Chronic bacterial infections are often in the form of biofilms, which resist antibiotics and evade the immune defense. In biofilms, microbes are embedded in a matrix consisting largely of self-produced extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). Multiple types of EPS can be produced by a single bacterial strain - the reasons for this redundancy are not well-understood. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that produces three types of EPS: PEL, PSL, and alginate. We use a combination of genetic manipulation, microscopy, rheology, and molecular force spectroscopy to show that different polymers confer distinct mechanical and biological properties to single bacteria and to mature biofilms.When individual bacteria attach to a surface, intracellular levels of cyclic-di-GMP increase. Cyclic-di-GMP is required to change gene expression to initiate the transition to the biofilm state. What specific cues control cyclic-di-GMP production were previously unknown - we show that this is controlled by mechanical shear stress, which is primarily impacted by bacterial motility and the EPS coating on bacteria. This opens up the possibility of making a new class of anti-biofilm surface, by using a 2D fluid that cannot sustain a lateral shear stress and thereby preventing activation of the cyclic-di-GMP signal.P. aeruginosa biofilm infections in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung often last for decades, ample time for the infecting strain(s) to evolve. Production of alginate is well-known to tend to increase during CF infections. More recently, it is becoming recognized that CF infections also evolve to increase PSL production. Alginate chemically protects biofilms, but also makes them softer and weaker. Here, we show that PSL stiffens and strengthens biofilms, and that increased PSL production in biofilms grown from CF clinical isolates completely rescues the mechanical weakening caused by alginate.
Chapter 10 – CONCLUSION

Publisher Summary The steady state of a neuron is described by the Nernst–Planck equation that includes diffusion and constant potential differences. Metabolic factors are relatively negligible. The basic equation that is generally used for the propagation of nerve signals is the cable equation. Synaptic transmission and neural interactions require separate treatment. Without a knowledge of the latter, the study of single cells remains but an interesting curiosity. The mathematical complexities are too formidable, even if sufficient experimental data are available. Hence, modeling has to be characterized by flexibility and judgment. Just as simplified models are needed for the analysis of special problems on single cells, so the problem formulations for cell assemblies have to focus on specific aspects of their operation.
TSRA: An Adaptive Mechanism for Switching between Communication Modes in Full-Duplex Opportunistic Spectrum Access Systems

Full-duplex (FD) communications and self-interference suppression (SIS) techniques can be exploited in opportunistic spectrum access (OSA) systems for simultaneous transmission-sensing (TS) or simultaneous transmission-reception (TR). Motivated by the competing goals of primary user (PU) protection (in the TS mode) and secondary user (SU) performance (in the TR mode), we present an optimal adaptive switching strategy and an associated communication protocol for FD OSA systems. Specifically, we optimize the spectrum-awareness/efficiency tradeoff by allowing the SU link to adaptively switch between various modes, depending on the forecasted PU dynamics. The proposed three-stage adaptive mode-selection strategy maximizes an SU utility function subject to a constraint on the PU collision probability. We also propose a protocol that executes the switching mechanism in a distributed fashion. In practice, SIS is imperfect, resulting in residual self-interference that degrades the sensing performance in the TS mode. Accordingly, we study different spectrum sensing techniques in the TS mode, while illustrating their accuracy-complexity tradeoff. We evaluate the performance of the proposed switching scheme against the listen-before-talk (LBT) scheme using numerical results, simulations, and hardware USRP experiments.
Screening for High Conductivity/Low Viscosity Ionic Liquids Using Product Descriptors.

We seek to optimize Ionic liquids (ILs) for application to redox flow batteries. As part of this effort, we have developed a computational method for suggesting ILs with high conductivity and low viscosity. Since ILs consist of cation-anion pairs, we consider a method for treating ILs as pairs using product descriptors for QSPRs, a concept borrowed from the prediction of protein-protein interactions in bioinformatics. We demonstrate the method by predicting electrical conductivity, viscosity, and melting point on a dataset taken from the ILThermo database on June 18th, 2014. The dataset consists of 4,329 measurements taken from 165 ILs made up of 72 cations and 34 anions. We benchmark our QSPRs on the known values in the dataset then extend our predictions to screen all 2,448 possible cation-anion pairs in the dataset.
Mesenchymal neoplasms of the head and neck: a cytopathologic analysis on fine needle aspiration.

Introduction Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is commonly used to diagnose mass lesions discovered in the head and neck (H&N). Soft tissue neoplasms (STNs) are less common than epithelial tumors in this anatomic zone and often cause diagnostic difficulty when encountered in routine practice. In this study, we examine the frequency of H&N STNs at our institution and describe their cytomorphologic characteristics and clinical correlates. Methods 115 FNA specimens from 115 patients with STN of the H&N region were identified (2005-2015) from archives of The Johns Hopkins University Hospital. When available, slides from these cases were reviewed and any corresponding clinical and radiologic data was evaluated. Results A total of 95 (83%) STNs were found to be primary to the H&N region and 20 (17%) were metastatic from distant sites. Of these 95 cases, 58 (61%) primary lesions were benign and 37 (39%) were malignant. The most common STNs were benign nerve sheath tumors, representing 40 (35%) cases: 30 schwannomas, 4 neurofibromas, and 6 were not further classified. The most aggressive neoplasms in terms of clinical outcome were leiomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. In 35 (60%) of the malignant cases and 25 (54%) of the benign cases a subsequent surgical resection was performed. Conclusions H&N can be involved by a wide range of primary and metastatic STNs. benign nerve sheath tumors are the most common STNs found on FNA in this region. Although not always definitively diagnostic, FNA of STNs can often provide a differential diagnosis that can help guide the need for an excision and/or further treatment.
Penetration into membrane of amino-terminal region of SecA when associated with SecYEG in active complexes.

The general secretory (Sec) system of Escherichia coli translocates both periplasmic and outer membrane proteins through the cytoplasmic membrane. The pathway through the membrane is provided by a highly conserved translocon, which in E. coli comprises two heterotrimeric integral membrane complexes, SecY, SecE, and SecG (SecYEG), and SecD, SecF, and YajC (SecDF/YajC). SecA is an associated ATPase that is essential to the function of the Sec system. SecA plays two roles, it targets precursors to the translocon with the help of SecB and it provides energy via hydrolysis of ATP. SecA exists both free in the cytoplasm and integrally membrane associated. Here we describe details of association of the amino-terminal region of SecA with membrane. We use site-directed spin labelling and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to show that when SecA is co-assembled into lipids with SecYEG to yield highly active translocons, the N-terminal region of SecA penetrates the membrane and lies at the interface between the polar and the hydrophobic regions, parallel to the plane of the membrane at a depth of approximately 5 A. When SecA is bound to SecYEG, preassembled into proteoliposomes, or nonspecifically bound to lipids in the absence of SecYEG, the N-terminal region penetrates more deeply (8 A). Implications of partitioning of the SecA N-terminal region into lipids on the complex between SecB carrying a precursor and SecA are discussed.
I/O load balancing for big data HPC applications

High Performance Computing (HPC) big data problems require efficient distributed storage systems. However, at scale, such storage systems often experience load imbalance and resource contention due to two factors: the bursty nature of scientific application I/O; and the complex I/O path that is without centralized arbitration and control. For example, the extant Lustre parallel file system-that supports many HPC centers-comprises numerous components connected via custom network topologies, and serves varying demands of a large number of users and applications. Consequently, some storage servers can be more loaded than others, which creates bottlenecks and reduces overall application I/O performance. Existing solutions typically focus on per application load balancing, and thus are not as effective given their lack of a global view of the system. In this paper, we propose a data-driven approach to load balance the I/O servers at scale, targeted at Lustre deployments. To this end, we design a global mapper on Lustre Metadata Server, which gathers runtime statistics from key storage components on the I/O path, and applies Markov chain modeling and a minimum-cost maximum-flow algorithm to decide where data should be placed. Evaluation using a realistic system simulator and a real setup shows that our approach yields better load balancing, which in turn can improve end-to-end performance.
ADAPTIVE CONTROL APPLIED TO MOMENTUM UNLOADING UTILIZING THE LOW EARTH ORBITAL ENVIRONMENT

An adaptive control technique for the unloading of spacecraft angular momentum is presented. The technique employs model reference adaptive control theory with Liapunov stability analysis to synthesize a controller utilizing multiple environmental sources in combination for unloading. Simulation studies are presented which employ magnetic, gravity gradient, and aerodynamic torques in a three-way controller. It is shown that momentum is contained within a dead zone introduced for disturbance compensation which is well below reasonable reaction wheel saturation limits for two model spacecraft of much different mass properties.
Mechanisms and clinical activity of an EGFR and HER2 exon 20–selective kinase inhibitor in non–small cell lung cancer

Although most activating mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) are sensitive to available EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), a subset with alterations in exon 20 of EGFR and HER2 are intrinsically resistant and lack an effective therapy. We used in silico, in vitro, and in vivo testing to model structural alterations induced by exon 20 mutations and to identify effective inhibitors. 3D modeling indicated alterations restricted the size of the drug-binding pocket, limiting the binding of large, rigid inhibitors. We found that poziotinib, owing to its small size and flexibility, can circumvent these steric changes and is a potent inhibitor of the most common EGFR and HER2 exon 20 mutants. Poziotinib demonstrated greater activity than approved EGFR TKIs in vitro and in patient-derived xenograft models of EGFR or HER2 exon 20 mutant NSCLC and in genetically engineered mouse models of NSCLC. In a phase 2 trial, the first 11 patients with NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 mutations receiving poziotinib had a confirmed objective response rate of 64%. These data identify poziotinib as a potent, clinically active inhibitor of EGFR and HER2 exon 20 mutations and illuminate the molecular features of TKIs that may circumvent steric changes induced by these mutations.
Czech Open Access for the Humanities and Social Sciences

ABSTRACTThis article examines the current state of Open Access for the humanities and social sciences in the Czech Republic. Since the Velvet Revolution in 1989, and following the peaceful dissolut...
Enhanced temporal binding of audiovisual information in the bilingual brain

We asked whether bilinguals’ benefits reach beyond the auditory modality to benefit multisensory processing. We measured audiovisual integration of auditory and visual cues in monolinguals and bilinguals via the double-flash illusion where the presentation of multiple auditory stimuli concurrent with a single visual flash induces an illusory perception of multiple flashes. We varied stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) between auditory and visual cues to measure the “temporal binding window” where listeners fuse a single percept. Bilinguals showed faster responses and were less susceptible to the double-flash illusion than monolinguals. Moreover, monolinguals showed poorer sensitivity in AV processing compared to bilinguals. The width of bilinguals’ AV temporal integration window was narrower than monolinguals’ for both leading and lagging SOAs (Biling.: -65–112 ms; Mono.: -193 – 112 ms). Our results suggest the plasticity afforded by speaking multiple languages enhances multisensory integration and audiovisual binding in the bilingual brain.
Results from MAC

The MAC detector has been exposed at PEP to 40 pb-1 luminosity of e+e- collisions. The detector is described and recent results of a continuing analysis of hadronic cross section, lepton pair charge asymmetry, Bhabha process, two photon final state and radiative μ pairs are given. New results on “flavor tagging” of hadronic events with an inclusive μ, and some searches for new particles are presented.
TRANSITION STATE ANALOGS AS ANTIMETABOLITES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses transition state analogs as antimetabolites. Transition state analogs are enzyme inhibitors that are designed to exploit and make manifest the special interactions that distinguish the substrate in the transition state from the substrate in the ground state. It is evidently essential for catalysis that the enzyme's affinity for the substrate grows tighter as the transition state is approached, diminishing later as products are formed and released. Factors that contribute to their affinity for enzymes and to the efficiency of the catalytic process itself are matters of continuing interest. These factors can be evaluated through kinetic and structural studies of enzyme complexes with transition state analogs. In due course, these studies can be expected to reveal the form of the bound inhibitor to suggest the nature of any structural reorganization of the active site that accompanies substrate transformation and to indicate likely directions for further improvement in inhibitor design.
The Limbic System

A limbus is a rim or margin. In 1878, Broca suggested the term “limbic lobe” for those anatomical structures that encircle the third ventricle and the sagittally sectioned corpus callosum. This portion of the brain was thought to be functionally restricted to the perception of the sense of smell. In 1937, Papez reviewed clinical evidence suggesting that these medial structures and their connections were involved in emotion. MacLean (1949, 1952) proposed that these anatomical regions might together form a functional unit; he introduced the term “limbic system.” The last two decades have seen a better definition of the anatomical interrelationships of structures within this system and an expansion of its borders to include parts of midbrain, thalamus, and neocortex. Some neuroanatomical authorities still resist the concept of a limbic system; for example, Brodal (1969) includes definite olfactory structures within the rhinencephalon and distributes other portions to the traditional cortico-thalamic-reticular system, doubting the existence of a limbic system as a functional entity. Livingston and Escobar (1971) argue that the anatomical expansion of this system beyond medial brain structures confuses the original limbic concept of Broca; they propose using the term limbic system to refer to the margin or edge which encircles the undersurface of the brain, as it is viewed following removal of brainstem and cerebellum.
Smoking and Smoking Cessation Among Persons with Tobacco- and Non-tobacco-Associated Cancers.

To examine smoking and use of smoking cessation aids among tobacco-associated cancer (TAC) or non-tobacco-associated cancer (nTAC) survivors. Understanding when and if specific types of cessation resources are used can help with planning interventions to more effectively decrease smoking among all cancer survivors, but there is a lack of research on smoking cessation modalities used among cancer survivors. Kentucky Cancer Registry data on incident lung, colorectal, pancreatic, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer cases diagnosed 2007–2011, were linked with health administrative claims data (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurers) to examine the prevalence of smoking and use of smoking cessation aids 1 year prior and 1 year following the cancer diagnosis. TACs included colorectal, pancreatic, and lung cancers; nTAC included breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. There were 10,033 TAC and 13,670 nTAC survivors. Smoking before diagnosis was significantly higher among TAC survivors (p < 0.0001). Among TAC survivors, smoking before diagnosis was significantly higher among persons who: were males (83%), aged 45–64 (83%), of unknown marital status (84%), had very low education (78%), had public insurance (89%), Medicaid (85%) or were uninsured (84%). Smoking cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy were more common among TAC than nTAC survivors (p < 0.01 and p = 0.05, respectively). While smoking cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy were higher among TAC survivors, reducing smoking among all cancer survivors remains a priority, given cancer survivors are at increased risk for subsequent chronic diseases, including cancer. Tobacco cessation among all cancer survivors (not just those with TAC) can help improve prognosis, quality of life and reduce the risk of further disease. Health care providers can recommend for individual, group and telephone counseling and/or pharmacotherapy recommendations. These could also be included in survivorship care plans.
Irradiation effects of graphene-enhanced gallium nitride (GaN) metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) ultraviolet photodetectors

Ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors are used for applications such as flame detection, space navigation, biomedical and environmental monitoring. Robust operation within large ranges of temperatures, radiation, salinity and/or corrosive chemicals require sensor materials with the ability to withstand and function reliably within these extreme harsh environments. For example, spacecraft can utilize a sun sensor (light-based sensor) to assist with determination of orientation and may be exposed to both ionizing radiation and extreme temperature swings during operation. Gallium nitride (GaN), a wide bandgap semiconductor material, has material properties enabling visible-blindness, tunable cutoff wavelength selection based on ternary alloy mole fraction, high current density, thermal/chemical stability and high radiation tolerance due to the strength of the chemical bond. Graphene, with outstanding electrical, optical and mechanical properties and a flat absorption spectrum from 300 to 2,500 nm, has potential use as a transparent conductor for GaN-based metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors. Here, graphene-enhanced MSM UV photodetectors are fabricated with transparent and conductive graphene interdigitated electrodes on thin film GaN-on-sapphire substrates serving as back-to-back Schottky contacts. We report on the irradiation response of graphene/GaN-based MSM UV photodetectors up to 750 krad total ionizing dose (TID) then tested under dark and UV light (365 nm) conditions. In addition, based on current-voltage measurements from 75 krad to 750 krad TID, calculated photodetector responsivity values change slightly by 25% and 11% at -5 V and -2 V, respectively. These initial findings suggest that graphene/GaN MSM UV photodetectors could potentially be engineered to reliably operate within radiation environments.
Does the Day of the Week Affect Length of Stay and Hospital Charges Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

ABSTRACT Background: To reduce the economic impact of excessive costs, risk factors for increased length of stay (LOS) must be identified. Previous literature has demonstrated that surgeries later in the week can affect the LOS and costs following joint arthroplasty. However, few investigations regarding the day of surgery have been performed in the spine literature. The present study attempts to identify the association between day of surgery on LOS and hospital charges following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedures. Methods: A prospectively maintained surgical database of primary, level 1-2 ACDF patients between 2008 and 2015 was retrospectively reviewed. Patients were stratified by surgery day: early week (Tuesday) or late week (Friday) ACDF. Differences in patient demographics and preoperative characteristics were compared between cohorts using chi-square analysis or Student t test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Direct hospital costs were obtained using hospital charges for each procedure and subsequent care prior to discharge. Associations between date of surgery and costs were assessed using multivariate linear regression controlled for. Results: Two hundred and ninety-five patients were included in the analysis. One hundred and fifty-three patients underwent early week ACDF, and 142 underwent late week ACDF. Surgery day cohorts reported similar baseline characteristics. There were no differences in operative characteristics or hospital LOS between cohorts. Additionally, no differences in total or subcategorical hospital costs were identified between surgery day cohorts. Conclusions: Patients undergoing ACDF later in the week exhibit similar LOS and hospital costs compared to those undergoing ACDF early in the week. These results suggest that outpatient procedures with short postoperative stays are likely not affected by the changes in hospital work efficiency that occur during the transition to the weekend. As such, hospitals should not restrict outpatient procedures to specific days of the week. Level of Evidence: 3.