cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Implications of Left Ventricular Mass Among Hispanics: The Northern Manhattan Study

Hispanics may carry a similar burden of increased left ventricular mass (LVM) as non-Hispanic blacks but whether LVM portends a worse outcome among Hispanics is largely unknown. We prospectively evaluated 1081 Hispanics enrolled in the Northern Manhattan Study during the period of 1993 to 2001. Subjects were aged > or =40 years and free of prior myocardial infarction or stroke. LVM was defined echocardiographically and indexed for height(2.7). Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk of vascular events with adjustments for age, gender, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. LVM averaged 48.4+/-15 gm/ht(2.7) and on multivariate analysis was significantly associated with the combined end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or vascular death (adjusted hazard ratio 1.34 per SD change in LVM [95% CI 1.10 to 1.63]). During a mean of 57 months of follow-up, 74 vascular events occurred. The annual rate of vascular events was 21.8 per 1000 patient-years in the highest quartile of LVM and 8.6 per 1000 patient-years in the lowest quartile (P=0.007). These data demonstrate in a large population-based sample that increased LVM yields independent prognostic information among Hispanics, predicting a higher incidence of events attributable to vascular disease in this understudied population. Our findings identify the Hispanic population with increased LVM as a high-risk subgroup.
Genetic-algorithm-based test generation for current testing of bridging faults in CMOS VLSI circuits

An efficient automatic test pattern generator for I/sub DDQ/ current testing of CMOS digital circuits is presented. The complete two-line bridging fault set is considered. An adaptive genetic algorithm (GA) is used to generate compact test sets. Experimental results for ISCAS85 and ISCAS89 benchmark circuits are presented. The results show that GA-based test generators are very well suited for generating compact test sets for I/sub DDQ/ testing of bridging faults.
From millibits to terabits per second and beyond - Over 60 years of innovation

Three innovations responsible for an explosive growth in available information bandwidth over the last 30 years are highlighted. These include the invention of the bipolar and MOS transistors, development of information theory and the invention of solid-state lasers. Although demonstrated 13 years later than the bipolar transistors, fundamental contributions that led to rapid adoption of MOS as the technology of choice in meeting the needs of wireless and lightwave communication systems is explained. Continued research in understanding and improving MOSFET noise performance is elucidated. Theoretical basis of ultra-low-noise optical signal detection using finite medium and non-instantaneous multiplication are presented.
A Solid Nitrogen Cooled ${\hbox{MgB}}_{2}$ “Demonstration” Coil for MRI Applications

A 700-mm bore superconducting magnet was built and operated in our laboratory to demonstrate the feasibility of newly developed superconductor wire for fabricating MRI magnets. The magnet, an assembly of 10 coils each wound with a reacted and s-glass insulated wire 1-km long, was immersed in solid nitrogen rather than in a bath of liquid cryogen. This magnet was designed to operate in the temperature range 10-15 K, maintained by a cryocooler. A combination of this ldquowiderdquo temperature range and immersion of the winding in solid nitrogen enables this magnet to operate under conditions not possible with a low temperature superconductor (LTS) counterpart. Tested individually at 13 K, each coil could carry current up to 100 A. When assembled into the magnet, some coils, however, became resistive, causing the magnet to prematurely quench at currents ranging from 79 A to 88 A, at which point the magnet generated a center field of 0.54 T. Despite the presence of a large volume (50 liters) of solid nitrogen in the cold body, cooldown from 77 K to 10 K went smoothly.
Compositional differences of LDL particles in normal subjects with LDL subclass phenotype A and LDL subclass phenotype B.

A predominance of small LDL particles (subclass phenotype B), as determined by gradient-gel electrophoresis is found among patients with myocardial infarction. Despite physical differences in phenotype A and B particles, differences in lipid composition of particles in these phenotypes have yet to be reported in an unselected population of males and females. The present study used lipid/apoB ratios to analyze the amount of lipid per LDL particle, isolated by density-gradient ultracentrifugation, in 70 healthy subjects. Relative to apoB, the LDL particles from phenotype B subjects were found to contain less free cholesterol (0.391±0.05 versus 0.465±0.05; mean±SD; P<.001), phospholipid (1.26±0.2 versus 1.43±0.2; P<.001), and cholesteryl ester (1.97±0.1 versus 2.11±0.2; P<.001) than particles from phenotype A subjects. The amount of triglyceride per LDL particle did not differ between the two phenotypes (0.410±0.1 versus 0.406±0.1; P=NS) despite higher plasma triglyceride levels in the phenotype B subjects. ...
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF UNDERGROUND SALT CAVERNS IN WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND: EXPERIMENTAL AND FINITE ELEMENT INVESTIGATION OF CREEP-INDUCED DAMAGE

Underground caverns in rock salt deposits are the most secure disposal method and a type of gas-storing facility. Gas storage plays a vital role in ensuring that a strategic relationship is secured between an established energy infrastructure provider and a midstream energy company. The Fischells Brook area is a pillow-shaped body of salts located in the St. George's Bay area of southwest Newfoundland, which has three layers of salt beds, and is capable of excavating caverns for the storage purposes. The development of cavern facilities requires the stability analysis through numerical models and experimental facilities. This work was motivated to examine the engineering feasibility of the salt cavern characteristics in this area, and to investigate its stability under creep behavior. An experimental test facility was developed to investigate the constitutive parameters governing the creep of rock salt, and the constitutive parameters were implemented into a developed finite element model to investigate the stability of the cavern over a 5-year period. Also a stress-based dilatancy failure envelope was developed to interpret the results of the numerical model, and to conduct sensitivity analyses for different design scenarios. The design recommendations developed in this study will be implemented as a key part of an engineering feasibility study for underground caverns in salt deposits in western Newfoundland.
Susceptibility of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) life stages to flameless catalytic infrared radiation

The susceptibility of various life stages of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a pest of stored wheat, Triticum aestivum L., to flameless catalytic infrared radiation in the 3-7-microm range was evaluated in the laboratory. Immature stages were collected from flour infested with T. castaneum adults only for 1 d. Stages collected after 1 d represented eggs (collected on day 0); those collected after 7, 14, and 21 d from day 0 represented larvae in different developmental stages, whereas those collected after 24 d represented pupae. Adults (2 wk old) were collected after 42 d. Each of these stages was exposed for 45 or 60 s in 113.5 or 227.0 g of wheat at a distance of 8.0 or 12.7 cm from a bench top infrared emitter. The mean temperatures attained during exposures were measured continuously using a noncontact infrared thermometer connected to a computer. The mean grain temperatures attained increased with an increase in exposure time and were inversely related to distance from the emitter. Grain quantity least influenced mean temperatures attained. Pupae were the least susceptible stage and larvae collected after 7 d were the most susceptible stage. Variation in probability of death of various life stages decreased with an increase in mean grain temperatures attained. All life stages were killed after a 60-s exposure at a distance of 8.0 cm from the emitter in 113.5 g of wheat, where the mean +/- SE temperatures attained ranged from 107.6 +/- 1.2 to 111.4 +/- 0.5 degrees C. Our laboratory results using small grain quantities and short exposure times showed that flameless catalytic infrared radiation can be a valuable tool for managing insects in stored organic and nonorganic wheat.
Teletherapy: Advanced techniques

Radiotherapy has been utilized as a treatment for ophthalmologic processes for more than one hundred years. Over this century, the field of ophthalmologic oncology has been revolutionized through medical discoveries, development of novel surgical interventions, and innovation of advanced radiotherapy techniques. In this chapter, novel radiotherapy techniques are considered. Material presented will build on basic radiation therapy principles, techniques, and treatment parameters established in the previous chapter through consideration of intensity modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and heavy ion therapy. Deliberation of matters common across advanced radiotherapy techniques including target delineation, treatment planning, and requisites for ensuring accurate, precise treatment delivery will precede discussion of advanced radiotherapy techniques as applied to the management ophthalmologic malignancies.
The effect of an induced selective increase in head temperature upon performance of a simple mental task.

Subjects performed a simple mental addition task under three counter-balanced conditions of a head temperature manipulation. In the heating condition, a temperature-controlled helmet induced a 1.01°C rise in head temperature as measured in the deep auditory meatus. A placebo condition consisted of helmet application but not activation, and the control condition monitored performance in the absence of the helmet. Results indicated that significantly more additions were accomplished under the heating compared with the two unvarying, non-heating conditions. This was not a trade of speed for accuracy, since the thermal manipulation exerted no significant effect on error rate. The work suggests that processing rate in a behavioral task is facilitated by the localized temperature increase.
Gibberellic Acid and Benzyladenine Promote Early Flowering and Vegetative Growth of Miltoniopsis Orchid Hybrids

Flowering of Miltoniopsis orchids is influenced by a combination of cool temperatures and short photoperiod. To determine if application of plant growth regulators could promote flowering without the need for costly structural modification to control photoperiod or temperature, we used drenches ofgibberellic acid (GA 3 )(2.5 or 5 mM), N 6 -benzyladenine (BA) (25 or 50 mM) alone or in combination. BA (25 or 50 mM) treatments promoted new vegetative shoots and decreased the number of plants with inflorescences compared to the untreated control plants. This reduction of flowering and increased vegetative shoot production was alleviated by the addition of GA 3 in combination with BA. However, the number of plants with inflorescences remained less than the control. GA 3 hastened Miltoniopsis inflorescence emergence during the first flowering season by 10.9 to 14.9 days for Bert Field 'Eileen' and by 48.7 days for Rouge 'Akatsuka'. The number of 'Eileen' inflorescences produced per plant increased from 2.2 to 3.0 with 2.5 mM GA 3 treatment. Flower deformities were not observed in the GA 3 treated plants, and flower size and inflorescence length were unaffected by the GA 3 treatment.
The Hovering and Mating of Tabanidae: a Review of the Literature with Some Original Observations

When the observed mating of Tabanus nigrovittatus Macquart was described to Dr. Joseph C. Bequaert, he commented on the scarcity of such reports. This encouraged me to watch particularly for such activity on the saltmarshes of Essex County, Massachusetts, during the summer of 1947. Before reporting my observations, however, it seems desirable to review the known literature on this topic. The records are widely scattered and usually consist of fragmentary notes without any clear index references.[1][1] Consequently, students of the Tabanidae will doubtless find some omissions. The writer will be most grateful to the reader who calls such items to his attention. [1]: #fn-1
Delayed-response performance by the squirrel monkey

Five squirrel monkeys were tested on delayed-response performance at delays of from 1 to 50 sec. Gradually increasing the delay durations did not yield performances that were much different from those where several delays were randomly presented within a session. Near-asymptotic performance was obtained after approximately 400–600 trials and the function describing performance at different delay intervals was strikingly like that of the rhesus macaque.
Expanding Cessation Pharmacotherapy Via Videoconference Educational Outreach to Prescribers

INTRODUCTION Smoking cessation pharmacotherapy is underutilized by people with mental illnesses, who smoke at high rates and die prematurely of smoking-related diseases. Educational outreach can improve prescribing, but distances impede widespread use of this practice. Little research has assessed whether videoconference can effectively deliver educational outreach. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of in-person versus videoconference educational outreach for smoking cessation pharmacotherapy across a state mental health system. METHODS We randomly assigned clinics to receive in-person or videoconference educational outreach with audit and feedback for cessation pharmacotherapy. Prescribers completed brief questionnaires before and after the intervention. With segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series, we evaluated prescribing trends in Medicaid pharmacy claims for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and varenicline, with interaction terms for the effect of intervention type (in-person vs. videoconference). RESULTS With interaction terms in the model, filled NRT prescriptions increased after the intervention compared to before (p < .01). The pattern of fills after the intervention were different at centers receiving in-person compared to videoconference educational outreach (p < .02) without clearly favoring one over the other. Additionally, filled varenicline prescriptions increased after the intervention compared to before (p = .04), but type of intervention delivery did not influence varenicline fills. Prescriber satisfaction with the educational intervention was high and prescriber attitudes became more positive in both groups. CONCLUSION This study suggests that single session educational outreach with audit and feedback can increase cessation pharmacotherapy utilization, and that videoconference delivery could be an effective, scalable approach to improve workforce capacity in systems serving mentally ill smokers.
Learning to Lead: Foundations of Emerging Leader Identity Development

The Problem. Organizations face several challenges that stand poised to place a significant strain on the availability of qualified leaders. Flatter organization structures, the use of more teams, and impending retirements of the Baby Boomer generation mean that the field of HRD must be prepared to help organizations develop the next generation of leaders. Scholars and practitioners must ensure that leader development initiatives will effectively prepare the forthcoming leaders from amongst young adults. The Solution. The focus of this study was to develop an understanding of how leadership experiences shape leader identity development. We offer a model that explains the dynamic, interactive process of leader identity development. Specifically, this model identifies the importance of relationships, leading by example, authenticity, and the motivation to lead for young adults. The Stakeholders. HRD scholars and practitioners may use the findings in this study to target developmental initiatives for future leaders.
Influence of Oxygen Supply on Oxide Coarsening During the Internal Oxidation of Two-Phase Fe-Y Alloys

Fe-Y binary alloys underwent thermogravimetric analysis while exposed to low oxidant partial pressures using a mixture of 5 pct H2-95 pct Ar gas at two flow rates. The alloys experienced in situ internal oxidation of Y-rich intermetallic phases. Kinetics and microstructures were both affected by flowrate. Lower flow rates resulted in coarser oxides and decreased oxidation rates. Results show the possible impacts of rate-controlling processes in the gas phase on internal oxidation with dilute oxidants.
Research On High Technology Service Policy Of China——Content Analysis On〈Guidance on speeding up the development of HTS〉 From The Perspective Of The Theory Of Policy Tools

High Technology Service has many advantages with high added value,high science and technology level, the strong innovation and low resource consumption. In recent years,HTS has been the new growth point of the national economy. This paper will build a two- dimensional HTS policy analysis framework based on combining the three environmental policy tools theory by Rothwell and Zegveld with the new dimensionality of process. Analysize〈Guidance on speeding up the development of HTS〉and the problems existing in the policy tools selection and use of HTS policy using the way of content analysis. And then propose suggestions for the existing problems in rationality.
Importance of hereditary and selected environmental risk factors in the etiology of inflammatory breast cancer: a case-comparison study.

To assess the importance of heredity in the etiology of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), we compared IBC patients to several carefully chosen comparison groups with respect to the prevalence of first-degree family history of breast cancer. IBC cases (n = 141) were compared to non-inflammatory breast cancer cases (n = 178) ascertained through George Washington University (GWU) with respect to the prevalence of first-degree family history of breast cancer and selected environmental/lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer. Similar comparisons were conducted with subjects from three case–control studies: breast cancer cases (n = 1145) and unaffected controls (n = 1142) from the Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS) study, breast cancer cases (n = 465) and controls (n = 9317) from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, and ovarian cancer cases (n = 260) and controls (n = 331) from a study by University of Toronto (UT). The frequency of first-degree breast cancer family history among IBC cases was 17.0 % compared to 24.4 % for GWU breast cancer cases, 23.9 % and 17.9 % for CGEMS breast cancer cases and controls, respectively, 16.9 % and 12.6 % for WHI breast cancer cases and controls, respectively, and 24.2 % and 11.2 % for UT ovarian cancer cases and controls, respectively. IBC cases had a significantly lower prevalence of parous women than WHI breast cancer cases (OR = 0.46, 95 % CI:0.27–0.81) and controls (OR = 0.31, 95 % CI:0.20–0.49). Oral contraceptive use was significantly higher among IBC cases compared to WHI breast cancer cases (OR = 7.77, 95 % CI:4.82–12.59) and controls (OR = 8.14, 95 % CI:5.28–12.61). IBC cases had a significantly higher frequency of regular alcohol consumption (≥1 drink per day) compared to WHI controls (OR = 1.84, 95 % CI:1.20–2.82) and UT controls (OR = 1.86, 95 % CI:1.07–3.22) and higher (statistically non-significant) prevalence (21.3 %) compared to breast cancer cases from GWU (18.2 %) and WHI (15.2 %). The prevalence of first-degree breast cancer family history among IBC cases was lower compared to breast and ovarian cancer cases but higher than unaffected individuals. Our multiple-case inflammatory and non-inflammatory breast cancer families may reflect aggregation of common genetic and/or environmental factors predisposing to both types of breast cancer. Our findings that oral contraceptive use and regular alcohol consumption may be associated with IBC warrant further investigations.
A four-variable automorphic kernel function

Let F be a number field, let \(\mathbb {A}_F\) be its ring of adeles, and let \(g_1,g_2,h_1,h_2 \in \mathrm {GL}_2(\mathbb {A}_F)\). We provide an absolutely convergent geometric expression for $$\begin{aligned} \sum _{\pi } K_{\pi }(g_1,g_2)K_{\pi ^{\vee }}(h_1,h_2)\mathrm {Res}_{s=1}L^S\left( s,\pi \times \pi ^\vee \right) , \end{aligned}$$ where the sum is over isomorphism classes of cuspidal automorphic representations \(\pi \) of \(\mathrm {GL}_2(\mathbb {A}_F)\). Here \(K_{\pi }\) is the typical kernel function representing the action of a test function on the space of \(\pi \).
Meditative Unstressing Techniques

In this instruction set, a number of unstressing techniques derived from meditative practices will be introduced.2 Although frequently meditation is used as a tool for spiritual growth and development, more commonly today in the West the practices are used with a more limited goal in mind—general unstressing. It is this more practical form of meditation that will be considered here.
Latino Maternal Literacy Beliefs and Practices Mediating Socioeconomic Status and Maternal Education Effects in Predicting Child Receptive Vocabulary

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: This study investigated the association between Mexican American maternal education and socioeconomic status (SES) and child vocabulary as mediated by parental reading beliefs, home literacy environment (HLE), and parent–child shared reading frequency. As part of a larger study, maternal reports of education level, SES, HLE, and reading beliefs along with child expressive and receptive vocabulary were collected for 252 mothers and their preschool children from 2 demographically similar school districts in 1 county. Correlations were moderate and positive, with higher levels of maternal education related to family income, HLE, book availability, and children’s expressive and receptive vocabulary. Consistent with long-standing evidence, maternal education and SES were predictors of children’s vocabulary, albeit indirectly through maternal reading beliefs, HLE, and reading frequency. Practice or Policy: Findings extend current knowledge about specific pathways through which social ...
Interventional Radiology Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations for Neurovascular Disorders Are Not Based on High-Quality Systematic Reviews.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, clinical practice guidelines have been criticized for biased interpretations of research evidence, and interventional radiology is no exception. PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the methodologic quality and transparency of reporting in systematic reviews used as evidence in interventional radiology clinical practice guidelines for neurovascular disorders from the Society of Interventional Radiology. DATA SOURCES: Our sources were 9 neurovascular disorder clinical practice guidelines from the Society of Interventional Radiology. STUDY SELECTION: We selected 65 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. DATA ANALYSIS: A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) tools were used to assess the methodologic quality and reporting transparency of systematic reviews. Radial plots were created on the basis of average scores for PRISMA and AMSTAR items. DATA SYNTHESIS: On the basis of AMSTAR scores, 3 (4.62%) reviews were high-quality, 28 reviews (43.08%) were moderate-quality, and 34 reviews (52.31%) were low-quality, with an average quality score of 3.66 (34.32%; minimum, 0%; maximum, 81.82%). The average PRISMA score was 18.18 (69.41%). LIMITATIONS: We were unable to obtain previous versions for 8 reviews, 7 of which were from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. CONCLUSIONS: The methodologic quality of systematic reviews needs to be improved. Although reporting clarity was much better than the methodologic quality, it still has room for improvement. The methodologic quality and transparency of reporting did not vary much among clinical practice guidelines. This study can also be applied to other medical specialties to examine the quality of studies used as evidence in their own clinical practice guidelines.
Preoperative detection of RAS mutation may guide extent of thyroidectomy.

Background Preoperative detection of RAS mutations can contribute to cancer risk assessment in indeterminate thyroid nodules, although RAS is not always associated with malignancy. Methods Fine-needle aspiration samples classified in 1 of 3 indeterminate cytology categories were prospectively tested for N-, H-, and K-RAS mutations using next-generation sequencing assay. Results In the study, 93 patients with 94 nodules had preoperative RAS detected, of whom 86 patients had an operation (69% total thyroidectomy, 29% lobectomy). In total, 76% of RAS-positive nodules were malignant and follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer was the most common cancer type (83%). HRAS mutations had the greatest risk of cancer (92%) followed by NRAS (74%) and KRAS (64%; P = .05). No preoperative variables were associated with malignancy including age (P = .07), sex (P = .49), RAS isoform (P = .05), mutational allelic frequency (P = .49), nodule size (P = .14), cytology category (P = .63), or ultrasound bilaterality (P = .24), multifocality (P = .23), or presence of ≥1 suspicious feature (P = .86). Only 60% of patients with a unifocal nodule on ultrasound had single focus low-risk encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer or benign disease. Conclusion Preoperative RAS mutation detection in thyroid nodules carries a substantial risk of cancer with a greater risk associated with HRAS and NRAS. Most RAS malignancies are follicular variant papillary thyroid cancer, which may inform the extent of operation.
Synaptic targets: Chronic alcohol actions.

Alcohol acts on numerous cellular and molecular targets to regulate neuronal communication within the brain. Chronic alcohol exposure and acute withdrawal generate prominent neuroadaptations at synapses, including compensatory effects on the expression, localization and function of synaptic proteins, channels and receptors. The present article reviews the literature describing the synaptic effects of chronic alcohol exposure and their relevance for synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. This review is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to highlight the effects that have been observed most consistently and that are thought to contribute to the development of alcohol dependence and the negative aspects of withdrawal. Specifically, we will focus on the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain, glutamate and GABA, respectively, and how their neuroadaptations after chronic alcohol exposure contributes to alcohol reinforcement, dependence and withdrawal.
Sugar with your Coffee? Fundamentals, Financials, and Softs Price Uncertainty

We investigate empirically the main factors related to coffee and sugar (“softs”) price uncertainty. We link physical market fundamentals as well as financial variables to (i) market expectations of future price volatility and (ii) the extent to which these two commodities both co-move with equities. The physical market fundamentals that matter include the state of inventories, weather, and disease outbreaks. Beyond these fundamental factors, our results highlight the crucial role of financial market sentiment in understanding cross market linkages and the magnitude of softs market uncertainty. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark
Asylum Applications and Migration Flows

Abstract We discuss an underutilized dataset to examine the causes of migration. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees publishes annual binational asylum applications and the resulting decisions. Asylum is granted to protect individuals from persecution. They are a small part of overall migration patterns: one-tenth of overall migration flows into OECD countries. The European Union receives the largest share of asylum applicants and has a low acceptance rate, but the rate increases when source countries have positive deviations from historic trends. Countries outside the EU and OECD receive almost all of the applications from neighbors with a contiguous land border.
Determination of Stacking-Fault Abundances and Distributions in SiC Using XRPD and HRTEM

Relative abundances of stacking faults in β-SiC were determined from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) structure images. These stacking-fault abundances were correlated to the intensity of the {10} two- dimensional line in the x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) pattern. The {10} line corresponds to rods of reciprocal-lattice intensity generated by the disorder of the faulted structure. Relative abundances of stacking faults are defined by the relative peak intensity of the {10} line. Systematic changes of XRPD relative line intensities for β-SiC are consistent with theoretical predictions based on the local hexagonal symmetry of the faulted crystal structure.
Nuclear movement in fungi

Abstract Nuclear movement within a cell occurs in a variety of eukaryotic organisms including yeasts and filamentous fungi. Fungal molecular genetic studies identified the minus-end-directed microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein as a critical protein for nuclear movement or orientation of the mitotic spindle contained in the nucleus. Studies in the budding yeast first indicated that dynein anchored at the cortex via its anchoring protein Num1 exerts pulling force on an astral microtubule to orient the anaphase spindle across the mother-daughter axis before nuclear division. Prior to anaphase, myosin V interacts with the plus end of an astral microtubule via Kar9-Bim1/EB1 and pulls the plus end along the actin cables to move the nucleus/spindle close to the bud neck. In addition, pushing or pulling forces generated from cortex-linked polymerization or depolymerization of microtubules drive nuclear movements in yeasts and possibly also in filamentous fungi. In filamentous fungi, multiple nuclei within a hyphal segment undergo dynein-dependent back-and-forth movements and their positioning is also influenced by cytoplasmic streaming toward the hyphal tip. In addition, nuclear movement occurs at various stages of fungal development and fungal infection of plant tissues. This review discusses our current understanding on the mechanisms of nuclear movement in fungal organisms, the importance of nuclear positioning and the regulatory strategies that ensure the proper positioning of nucleus/spindle.
Identity as a cannabis user is related to problematic patterns of consumption among emerging adults.

Abstract Introduction Cannabis use has become a more normative, socially-acceptable behavior in the United States, despite research indicating that frequent use may become problematic for some individuals. Emerging adulthood, a time of identity development, is the most common time for cannabis use. Cannabis self-concept, or one's identification with cannabis as part of their personality or identity, is one factor that may influence use behavior. This study extends previous research that reported a link between self-concept, motivational factors, and normative beliefs by evaluating relationships between cannabis self-concept, motives for use, motivation to change, perceived descriptive norms, as well as cannabis-related outcomes (use, using alone, and cannabis-related problems). Methods Emerging adults who used cannabis in the previous month (n = 345, 53.9% male, mean age 21.0, 67.5% Non-Latino White) were recruited from a community sample for a health behaviors study. Participants were assessed for explicit cannabis self-concept, frequency of use, problems associated with use, motives for use, motivation to change, and normative beliefs about others' use. Results Participants reported using cannabis on an average of 17.9 (SD = 11.1) days of the previous month. Correlational analyses revealed that cannabis self-concept was positively associated with frequency of use, use-related problems, several motives for use, descriptive norms, and with using cannabis alone. Multivariate analyses revealed that rates of use, problems, and social and enhancement motives were independently and positively associated (p Conclusions Cannabis self-concept may be a marker for more problematic patterns of use.
Locating the source of forced oscillations using PMU measurements and system model information

Forced oscillations (FO) in power system are frequently an indication of the ill-operating behavior of different equipment in the system, such as an excitation system, turbine governor, control valve, etc. Corrective actions can be taken only after identifying the source of the disturbance causing these oscillations. In this paper, a novel method is proposed for locating the source of forced oscillations using PMU measurements and system model information. Simulation results obtained by implementing the proposed method on the minniWECC model validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Evolution of the dynamics of neutral superconductors between BCS and BEC regimes: The variational approach

We use variational approach to analyze the evolution of the dynamics of a neutral s-wave superconductor between BCS and BEC regimes. We consider 2D case, when BCS-BEC crossover occurs already at weak coupling and is governed by the ratio of the two scales—the Fermi energy EF and the bound state energy for two fermions in a vacuum, E0. BCS and BEC regimes correspond to EF ≫ E0 and EF ≪ E0, respectively. We compute the spectrum of low-energy bosonic excitations and show that the velocity of phase fluctuations remains v F / 2 through BCS-BEC crossover. We also discuss the topological A ϕ term in the effective action.We use variational approach to analyze the evolution of the dynamics of a neutral s-wave superconductor between BCS and BEC regimes. We consider 2D case, when BCS-BEC crossover occurs already at weak coupling and is governed by the ratio of the two scales—the Fermi energy EF and the bound state energy for two fermions in a vacuum, E0. BCS and BEC regimes correspond to EF ≫ E0 and EF ≪ E0, respectively. We compute the spectrum of low-energy bosonic excitations and show that the velocity of phase fluctuations remains v F / 2 through BCS-BEC crossover. We also discuss the topological A ϕ term in the effective action.
Trunk:Periphery Fat Ratio

Overweight and obesity are major health concerns of our time. Body fat has been found to be more predictive of health and disease than overall body mass, central or upper body fat has been more predictive than total body fat, and the distribution of body fat has been found to be more predictive than central or upper body fat. The trunk periphery fat ratio (TPFR) is a measure of the distribution of body fat throughout the body. TPFR is acquired with measures of fat of the body trunk and of the body periphery. TPFR may be measured by subcutaneous skinfold thickness obtained with calipers or by regions of interest from dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the whole body. TPFR has been found to vary by sex, ethnicity and rate of maturation where males, Asians, and earlier maturing children have higher TPFR than girls, Whites, African Americans and later maturing children. Birth weight and skeletal breadths (bi-iliac breadth in particular) have been shown to predict TPFR. Earlier versus later maturing boys and girls were also found to have higher TPFR. TPFR may have predictive value for understanding individual and population risk for disease throughout the life span. TPFR variability by sex, ethnicity, birth weight, bi-iliac breadth and maturation rate suggests a possible hormonal or genetic component to the trait. Further research to quantify these risks and protections at different life stages will be valuable to provide targets for research and clinical treatment.
The Association Between Operative Time and Short-Term Complications in Total Hip Arthroplasty: An Analysis of 89,802 Surgeries.

Abstract Background It has been established by previous studies that longer operative times can lead to higher rates of complications and poorer outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, these studies were heterogeneous, examined limited complications, and have not provided a clear time after which complications increase. The aims of this study were to (1) assess whether longer operative time increases risk of complications within 30 days of THA, (2) investigate the relationship between operative time and various complications after THA, and (3) identify possible operative times beyond which complication rates increase. Methods The National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database was queried to identify 89,802 procedures that were included in the final analysis. The effect of operative time on complications within 30 days was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models. Spline regression models were created to investigate the relationship between operative time and complications. Results Longer operative times were associated with higher risk of readmissions (P Conclusion While our findings cannot establish a clear cause and effect relation, they do suggest strong correlation between increased operative time and perioperative complications. Additionally, this study suggests an optimal time of approximately 80 minutes, as a goal for surgeons, that may be associated with less risk of complications following THA.
Coronary Microvascular Disease Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Options: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) refers to the subset of disorders affecting the structure and function of the coronary microcirculation, is prevalent in patients across a broad spectrum of cardiovascular risk factors, and is associated with an increased risk of adverse events. Contemporary evidence supports that most patients with CMD also have macrovessel atherosclerosis, which has important implications for their prognosis and management. In this state-of-the-art review, the authors summarize the pathophysiology of CMD, provide an update of diagnostic testing strategies, and classify CMD into phenotypes according to severity and coexistence with atherosclerosis. They examine emerging data highlighting the significance of CMD in specific populations, including obesity and insulin resistance, myocardial injury and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and nonobstructive and obstructive coronary artery disease. Finally, they discuss the role of CMD as a potential target for novel interventions beyond conventional approaches, representing a new frontier in cardiovascular disease reduction.
A general fluid–sediment mixture model and constitutive theory validated in many flow regimes

We present a thermodynamically consistent constitutive model for fluid-saturated sediments, spanning dense to dilute regimes, developed from the basic balance laws for two-phase mixtures. The model can represent various limiting cases, such as pure fluid and dry grains. It is formulated to capture a number of key behaviours such as: (i) viscous inertial rheology of submerged wet grains under steady shearing flows, (ii) the critical state behaviour of grains, which causes granular Reynolds dilation/contraction due to shear, (iii) the change in the effective viscosity of the fluid due to the presence of suspended grains and (iv) the Darcy-like drag interaction observed in both dense and dilute mixtures, which gives rise to complex fluid–grain interactions under dilation and flow. The full constitutive model is combined with the basic equations of motion for each mixture phase and implemented in the material point method (MPM) to accurately model the coupled dynamics of the mixed system. Qualitative results show the breadth of problems which this model can address. Quantitative results demonstrate the accuracy of this model as compared with analytical limits and experimental observations of fluid and grain behaviours in inhomogeneous geometries.
The Bressonians: French cinema and the culture of authorship

Codruţa Morari’s The Bressonians: French Cinema and the Culture of Authorship investigates Robert Bresson’s ‘modest, minimalist style’ to ask ‘how could someone so seemingly elitist and elusive bec...
Increased Incidence of De Novo Aortic Incompetence in Patients Supported with Impella Prior to LVAD Implantation

Purpose Impella (Abiomed Inc, Danvers, MA) is a temporary mechanical support device being more frequently used in INTERMACS 1 patients bridged to LVAD implantation. The device is percutaneously inserted across the aortic valve, and although case reports describe the development of aortic incompetence (AI) after its use, there is no data on the incidence of AI in patients with Impella support as a bridge to LVAD implantation. Methods We reviewed all patients undergoing primary LVAD implantation at a large academic center from January 2015 onwards, and identified those classified as INTERMACS 1. We then divided them by method of pre-implantation support, comparing those supported with Impella as temporary mechanical support to those supported by either VA ECMO or IABP. We reviewed transthoracic echocardiography preoperatively, as well as at 1 week, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-LVAD implantation. Patients with concomitant Aortic Valve Replacement were excluded. Results A total of 155 patients were reviewed, of which 45 patients were identified as INTERMACS 1. A total of 179 echoes were analysed. Twelve patients were supported with Impella prior to LVAD implant - of which six patients were supported with Impella alone (5 with Impella CP, 1 with Impella 5) and six with Impella in conjunction with VA ECMO (3 with Impella 2.5, 2 with Impella CP and 1 with Impella 5). One of the patients supported with Impella died within three days of LVAD implant and was excluded from analysis. Post LVAD implant, mild or moderate AI developed in 82% of patients supported with Impella (9 of 11) compared to 43% of those without Impella (13 of 30) [p = 0.038]. There was no difference in severity or incidence of AI based on type of Impella device or type of LVAD used. Conclusion In our cohort, patients supported with Impella as a bridge to durable LVAD have higher risk of developing AI. Further studies are needed to identify risk factors and develop strategies to mitigate this risk as the use of Impella becomes more widespread.
Towards Ultra-Low-Power Realization of Analog Joint Source-Channel Coding using MOSFETs

Certain sensing applications such as Internet of Things (IoTs), where the sensing phenomenon may change rapidly in both time and space, requires sensors that consume ultra-low power (so that they do not need to be put to sleep leading to loss of temporal and spatial resolution) and have low costs (for high density deployment). A novel encoding based on Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) is proposed to realize Analog Joint Source Channel Coding (AJSCC), a low-complexity technique to compress two (or more) signals into one with controlled distortion. In AJSCC, the y-axis is quantized while the x-axis is continuously captured. A power-efficient design to support multiple quantization levels is presented so that the digital receiver can decide the optimum quantization and the analog transmitter circuit is able to realize that. The approach is verified via Spice and MATLAB simulations.
Semantic Adversarial Deep Learning

Adversarial examples have emerged as a key threat for machine-learning-based systems, especially the ones that employ deep neural networks. Unlike a large body of research in this area, this Keynote article accounts for the semantic, context, and specifications of the complete system with machine learning components in resource-constrained environments. —Muhammad Shafique, Technische Universitat Wien
The importance of intramolecular conductivity in three dimensional molecular solids

Recent years have seen tremendous progress towards understanding the relation between the molecular structure and function of organic field effect transistors. The metrics for organic field effect transistors, which are characterized by mobility and the on/off ratio, are known to be enhanced when the intermolecular interaction is strong and the intramolecular reorganization energy is low. While these requirements are adequate when describing organic field effect transistors with simple and planar aromatic molecular components, they are insufficient for complex building blocks, which have the potential to localize a carrier on the molecule. Here, we show that intramolecular conductivity can play a role in controlling device characteristics of organic field effect transistors made with macrocycle building blocks. We use two isomeric macrocyclic semiconductors that consist of perylene diimides linked with bithiophenes and find that the trans-linked macrocycle has a higher mobility than the cis-based device. Through a combination of single molecule junction conductance measurements of the components of the macrocycles, control experiments with acyclic counterparts to the macrocycles, and analyses of each of the materials using spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and density functional theory, we attribute the difference in electron mobility of the OFETs created with the two isomers to the difference in intramolecular conductivity of the two macrocycles.
Basics of Expansion Microscopy

Optical imaging techniques are often used in neuroscience to understand brain function and discern disease pathogenesis. However, the optical diffraction limit precludes conventional optical imaging approaches from resolving nanoscopic structures with feature sizes smaller than 300 nm. Expansion microscopy (ExM) circumvents this limit by physically expanding preserved tissues embedded in a swellable hydrogel. Biomolecules of interest are covalently linked to a polymer matrix, which is then isotropically expanded at least 100-fold in size in pure water after mechanical homogenization of the tissue-gel. The sample can then be investigated with nanoscale precision using a conventional diffraction-limited microscope. The protocol described here is a variant of ExM that uses regents and equipment found in a typical biology laboratory and has been optimized for imaging proteins in expanded brain tissues. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol: Expansion microscopy for intact brain tissue.
Cost-effectiveness of Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain in Veterans.

Background Yoga interventions can improve function and reduce pain in persons with chronic low back pain (cLBP). Objective Using data from a recent trial of yoga for military veterans with cLBP, we analyzed the incremental cost-effectiveness of yoga compared with usual care. Methods Participants (n=150) were randomized to either 2× weekly, 60-minute yoga sessions for 12 weeks, or to delayed treatment (DT). Outcomes were measured at 12 weeks, and 6 months. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were measured using the EQ-5D scale. A 30% improvement on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (primary outcome) served as an additional effectiveness measure. Intervention costs including personnel, materials, and transportation were tracked during the study. Health care costs were obtained from patient medical records. Health care organization and societal perspectives were examined with a 12-month horizon. Results Incremental QALYs gained by the yoga group over 12 months were 0.043. Intervention costs to deliver yoga were $307/participant. Negligible differences in health care costs were found between groups. From the health care organization perspective, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to provide yoga was $4488/QALY. From the societal perspective, yoga was "dominant" providing both health benefit and cost savings. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicates an 89% chance of yoga being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay of $50,000. A scenario comparing the costs of yoga and physical therapy suggest that yoga may produce similar results at a much lower cost. Discussion/conclusions Yoga is a cost-effective treatment for reducing pain and disability among military veterans with cLBP.