cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of PEP-II resonantly excited turn-by-turn BMP Data

For optics measurement and modeling of the PEP-II electron (HER) and position (LER) storage rings, we have been doing well with MIA which requires analyzing turn-by-turn Beam Position Monitor (BPM) data that are resonantly excited at the horizontal, vertical, and longitudinal tunes. However, in anticipation that certain BPM buttons and even pins in the PEP-II IR region would be missing for the run starting in January 2007, we had been developing a data validation process to reduce the effect due to the reduced BPM data accuracy on PEP-II optics measurement and modeling. Besides the routine process for ranking BPM noise level through data correlation among BPMs with a singular-value decomposition (SVD), we could also check BPM data symplecticity by comparing the invariant ratios. Results from PEP-II measurement will be presented.
Risks of complications by attending physicians after performing nighttime procedures.

Context Few data exist on the relationships between experienced physicians' work hours and sleep, and patient safety. Objective To determine if sleep opportunities for attending surgeons and obstetricians/gynecologists are associated with the risk of complications. Design, setting, and patients Matched retrospective cohort study of procedures performed from January 1999 through June 2008 by attending physicians (86 surgeons and 134 obstetricians/gynecologists) who had been in the hospital performing another procedure involving adult patients for at least part of the preceding night (12 am-6 am, postnighttime procedures). Sleep opportunity was calculated as the time between end of the overnight procedure and start of the first procedure the following day. Matched control procedures included as many as 5 procedures of the same type performed by the same physician on days without preceding overnight procedures. Complications were identified and classified by a blinded 3-step process that included administrative screening, medical record reviews, and clinician ratings. Main outcome measures Rates of complications in postnighttime procedures as compared with controls; rates of complications in postnighttime procedures among physicians with more than 6-hour sleep opportunities vs those with sleep opportunities of 6 hours or less. Results A total of 919 surgical and 957 obstetrical postnighttime procedures were matched with 3552 and 3945 control procedures, respectively. Complications occurred in 101 postnighttime procedures (5.4%) and 365 control procedures (4.9%) (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-1.41). Complications occurred in 82 of 1317 postnighttime procedures with sleep opportunities of 6 hours or less (6.2%) vs 19 of 559 postnighttime procedures with sleep opportunities of more than 6 hours (3.4%) (odds ratio, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.02-2.89). Postnighttime procedures completed after working more than 12 hours (n = 958) compared with 12 hours or less (n = 918) had nonsignificantly higher complication rates (6.5% vs 4.3%; odds ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 0.96-2.27). Conclusion Overall, procedures performed the day after attending physicians worked overnight were not associated with significantly increased complication rates, although there was an increased rate of complications among postnighttime surgical procedures performed by physicians with sleep opportunities of less than 6 hours.
Numerical Analysis of FPSO Behavior in Ocean Towing

This paper presents numerical analysis of the behavior of a towed FPSO using an in-house computer code Ship Maneuvering Laboratory (SML). The background of the study was an attempt to explain some unexpected observations during a towing situation, where the position of the towed vessel was on the upwind side of the towing vessel and oscillating in yaw. The effects of rudder, wind and current were investigated initially. Then the study focused on the behavior of the towed FPSO with different hydrodynamic coefficients in an environment of steady wind varying from 1.0 to 25 knots with the wind direction on the starboard bow of the tug. The tug was assumed to move in a straight line at a constant speed.It was found that with the calculated MMG coefficients the FPSO had large oscillations of track and yaw when the wind speed was low (1 knot). When the wind speed was increased, the FPSO moved to the starboard side of the tug (up wind) and kept oscillating and yawing but with less amplitude. This was similar to the FPSO behavior observed in the incident. This phenomenon of oscillating and yawing of the FPSO was not seen when using the measured PMM hydrodynamic coefficients. One possible explanation for the FPSO behavior in the incident was related to the specific values of the FPSO’s hydrodynamic coefficients.Some possible methods to reduce the FPSO yaw oscillation are also provided. Numerical results showed that by adding drag created by a drogue to the FPSO or using a longer towing bridle can significantly increase the directional stability of the FPSO. A sensitivity study of the FPSO hydrodynamic coefficients is also given and some conclusions are provided.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The Environmental Impacts of Reuse: A Review

Summary The fear that human consumption is causing climate change, biodiversity loss, and mineral scarcity has recently prompted interest in reuse because of the intuitive belief that it reduces new production and waste. The environmental impacts of reuse have, however, received little attention—the benefits typically assumed rather than understood—and consequently the overall effects remain unclear. In this article, we structure the current work on the topic, reviewing the potential benefits and pitfalls described in the literature and providing a framework for future research. Many products’ use-phase energy requirements are decreasing. The relative importance of the embodied impacts from initial production is therefore growing and the prominence of reuse as an abatement strategy is likely to increase in the future. Many examples are found in the literature of beneficial reuse of standardized, unpowered products and components, and repairing an item is always found to be less energy intensive than new production. However, reusing a product does not guarantee an environmental benefit. Attention must be paid to restoring and upgrading old product efficiencies, minimizing overspecification in the new application, and considering whether more efficient, new products exist that would be more suitable. Cheap, reused goods can allow many consumers access to products they would otherwise have been unable to afford. Though socially valuable, these sales, which may help minimize landfill in the short term, can represent additional consumption rather than a net environmental benefit compared to the status quo.
A novel joint design for robotic hands with humanlike nonlinear compliance

Robotic hands are typically too rigid to react against unexpected impacts and disturbances in order to prevent damage. The human hands have great versatility and robustness due, in part, to the passive compliance at the hand joints. In this paper, we present a novel design for joint with passive compliance that is inspired by biomechanical properties of the human hands. The design consists of a compliant material and a set of pulleys that rotate and stretch the material as the joint rotates. We created six differ compliant materials and we optimized the joint design to match the desired human-like compliance. We present two design features that allow for the tuning of the joint torque profile, namely, a pretension mechanism to increase pretension of the compliant material, and a design of varying pulley configuration. We built a prototype for the new joint by using additive manufacturing to fabricate the design components, and built a test-bed with a force sensor and a servo motor. Experimental results show that the joint exhibits a nonlinear, double exponential joint compliance with all six compliant materials. The design feature involving variable pulley configurations is effective in adjusted the slope of joint torque during the joint rotation while the pretension mechanism showed only a limited effect on increasing the torque amplitude. Overall, with its small size, light weight, low friction, and human-like joint compliance the presented joint design is ready for implementation in robotic hands.
Motor Behavior and Neural Changes Following Perinatal and Adult-Onset Brain Damage: Implications for Therapeutic Interventions

This article provides information pertaining to recent scientific findings regarding neural and motor development and the effects of brain damage on that development. The article is intended to provide the clinician with new information that will assist in patient assessments and the establishment of therapeutic interventions. Clinical and scientific issues pertaining to perinatal and adult-onset brain damage are discussed.
Methylation of cytosine influences the DNA structure.

In the past decade it has become increasingly clear that DNA has the potential to adopt a variety of unusual secondary structures which deviate from the classical right-handed B-DNA form. Intrinsic properties of the DNA molecule (primary base sequence and base modifications, degree of supercoiling) determine whether such an unusual structure is possible. Environmental factors (like ionic strength or pH of the medium, temperature, solvent polarity, interactions with proteins or drugs) have a strong influence on whether the structure is actually formed or not.
P5-21-02: The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center: The Source for Normal Breast Tissue and Biospecimens.

Background Our efforts to prevent and treat breast cancer are significantly impeded by a lack of knowledge of the biology and developmental genetics of the normal mammary gland. This ignorance has been the consequence of the lack of access to richly annotated, high quality normal breast specimens. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center (KTB) was established expressly to remedy this deficiency. The KTB is a repository of specimens from volunteer donors with no clinical evidence of breast malignancy. The Bank9s mission is to make available specimens that will enable an understanding of the developmental biology of the normal breast, to provide insight into breast oncogenesis, and to provide a normal control for breast cancer research. The purpose of this presentation is to increase the awareness of this unique and rich research resource and to actively solicit the use of its specimens. Methods: The KTB has been prospectively banking fresh frozen breast tissue since mid-2006. Coincident with the tissue donation two tubes of blood are obtained, which are processed for lymphocyte DNA, serum and plasma. These specimens are richly annotated with detailed information regarding the donors’ reproductive history, medical history, family history, and medications. Standard Operating Procedures have been constructed so as to control, limit and identify potential sources of bias. All of this information is recorded in an Oracle-based, searchable database. Results: As of June 2011, the KTB and its predecessor bank, Mary Ellen9s Bank, have available fresh frozen breast tissue (10 gauge cores) from 1469 donors; formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 1055; DNA from 7507; serum from 2382; and plasma from 3771 donors. The KTB has also established 28 epithelial and 33 stromal cell lines from the cores; 4 of the epithelial cell lines have been immortalized using hTERT. Donors range in age from 18–86 years of age. 9% of donors to the KTB describe themselves as Hispanic/Latino. 5.2% of donors are Black or African-American. Using the Gail Risk Model, there is a bimodal distribution of life-time breast cancer risk among the donors: the largest peak is at 10% and a smaller one at 18%. Conclusions: The KTB is a unique and invaluable research resource which is now open for business and accessible to researchers across the globe. We encourage researchers to avail themselves of this unique tissue resource and to also acquaint themselves with other sources of healthy breast tissue, i.e., the Love/Avon Army of Women [http://www.armyofwomen.org/]. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-21-02.
Growth of dogs on purified diet plus aureomycin and/or vit. B12.

SummaryEleven young cocker spaniels from 2 litters were fed from weaning for 20 weeks a purified complete diet which had been shown previously to produce optimum growth. Vit. B12 at the level of 5 ...
System Configuration and Economic Evaluation of Backpressure Turbine-Driven Induced Draft Fan

Based on the design parameters of ultra-supercritical 1000 MW unit in one power plant,the methods for realizing turbine—driven mode have been given,and the feasibility being verified.Turbine-driven and motor-driven schemes are compared in terms of economy and some conclusions are achieved,which can provide a reference for relevant engineering design.
Corneal permeability changes in dry eye disease: an observational study

Diagnostic tests for dry eye disease (DED), including ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear breakup time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, and lissamine staining, have great deal of variability. We investigated whether fluorophotometry correlated with previously established DED diagnostic tests and whether it could serve as a novel objective metric to evaluate DED. Dry eye patients who have had established signs or symptoms for at least 6 months were included in this observational study. Normal subjects with no symptoms of dry eyes served as controls. Each eye had a baseline fluorescein scan prior to any fluorescein dye. Fluorescein dye was then placed into both eyes, rinsed with saline solution, and scanned at 5, 10, 15, and 30 min. Patients were administered the following diagnostic tests to correlate with fluorophotometry: OSDI, TBUT, fluorescein, and lissamine. Standard protocols were used. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Fifty eyes from 25 patients (DED = 22 eyes, 11 patients; Normal = 28 eyes, 14 patients) were included. Baseline scans of the dry eye and control groups did not show any statistical difference (p = 0.84). Fluorescein concentration of DED and normal patients showed statistical significance at all time intervals (p < 10−5, 0.001, 0.002, 0.049 for 5, 10, 15, & 30 min respectively). Fluorophotometry values converged towards baseline as time elapsed, but both groups were still statistically different at 30 min (p < 0.01). We used four fluorophotometry scoring methods and correlated them with OSDI, TBUT, fluorescein, and lissamine along with adjusted and aggregate scores. The four scoring schemes did not show any significant correlations with the other tests, except for correlations seen with lissamine and 10 (p = 0.045, 0.034) and 15 min (p = 0.013, 0.012), and with aggregate scores and 15 min (p = 0.042, 0.017). Fluorophotometry generally did not correlate with any other DED tests, even though it showed capability of differentiating between DED and normal eyes up to 30 min after fluorescein dye instillation. There may be an aspect of DED that is missed in the current regimen of DED tests and only captured with fluorophotometry. Adding fluorophotometry may be useful in screening, diagnosing, and monitoring patients with DED.
Isolation and identification of Aeromonas and analysis for drug resistance from diarrhea samples in Shanghai Pudong New Area

Objective:To find out the incidence of Aeromonas infection and the drug resistance from diarrhea cases in Shanghai Pudong New Area.Methods: Detection Aeromonas in feces specimens from 1245 diarrhea samples in 2 monitoring sites;the positive strains were tested for sensitivity to 10 kinds of antibiotics by K-B method.Results: 93 stains(7.47%) of Aeromonas were isolated,including 26 strains of Aeromonas sobria,63 strains of Aeromonas hydrophila and 4 strains of Aeromonas caviae.The detection rate of infection during June to October revealed higher prevelence rate.Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed more than 80% strains were susceptible to Gentamicin,Ciprofloxacin,Amikacin,Cefotaxime while resistant to Ampicillin,Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,Cefalotin,Nalidixic acid at deferent levels.Conclusion: Infection rate of Aeromonas varied in season,having close relationship with diarrhea in summer and autumn.Continuous Monitoring to Aeromonas and its drug resistance has guiding significance for prevention and treatment of diarrhea disease.
Unjustified side effects were strongly intended: Taboo tradeoffs and the side-effect effect

The side-effect effect is the seemingly irrational tendency for people to say harmful side effects were more intentional than helpful side effects of the same action. But the tendency may not be irrational. According to the Tradeoffs Justification Model, judgments of a person's intentions to cause harm depend on how that person decided to act, and on whether the reasons for acting justified causing the harmful consequences. Across three experiments (N = 660), unjustified harms were viewed as more intentional than justified harms. If the person had a choice of what to do and knowingly caused harm for no good reason, people judged that the person must have actually desired and intended to cause the harm. However, if the person had a strong, compelling reason (e.g., to ransom his daughter from kidnappers) that the observer deemed to have justified causing the harm, then observers thought the harm was weakly intended at most. Taboo harms that violated sacred moral values were especially likely to be seen as intentional because most reasons do not adequately justify violating a sacred value.
Effects of renal artery pressure on interstitial pressure and Na excretion during renal vasodilation

Renal vasodilation has a marked effect on the pressure-natriuresis relationship. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of renal interstitial hydrostatic pressure (RIHP) in mediating the effect of renal perfusion pressure (RPP) on urinary sodium excretion rate (UNaV) in control and vasodilated kidneys. The effects of RPP on UNaV and RIHP were determined in dogs under control conditions and during renal vasodilation with acetylcholine (Ach, 2.0 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) or secretin (SEC, 0.025 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). Decreases in RPP in control kidneys from 130 to 60 mmHg decreased UNaV from 2.9 +/- 0.1 to 0.6 +/- 0.3 microeq/min and fractional excretion of Na (FENa) from 0.15 +/- 0.08 to 0.06 +/- 0.04%. These changes were associated with significant reductions in RIHP (8.9 +/- 0.6 to 5.6 +/- 1.2 mmHg). In Ach-vasodilated kidneys, reductions in RPP from 130 to 60 mmHg decreased UNaV from 149.8 +/- 52.4 to 0.2 +/- 0.1 microeq/min and FENa from 3.42 +/- 1.18 to 0.012 +/- 0.01%. RIHP decreased from ...
Interaction of Hydrogen Molecules with Metal Cluster Ions

The binding energy of hydrogen molecules to metal cations and metal cluster ions is studied using the self-consistent field molecular orbital theory. Hydrogen atoms are found to bind associatively to cluster ions but dissociatively to neutral metal clusters. The nature of interaction of hydrogen with cluster ions is dictated by the charge polarization mechanism while that with neutral clusters is dominated by a charge transfer mechanism. The ability of cluster ions to bind large quantities of hydrogen in molecular form may have technological implications in hydrogen storage. The effect of temperature and ambient pressure on hydrogen binding are discussed and the results are compared with recent experiments.
Online trajectory optimization to improve object recognition

We present an online trajectory optimization approach that optimizes a trajectory such that object recognition performance is improved. Inspired by prior work, we formulate the optimization as a derivative-free stochastic optimization, allowing us to express the cost function in an arbitrary way. The cost function is defined such that information acquisition of target objects is improved, while simultaneously moving towards the goal point. We show the evaluation of our approach on a quadrotor platform in simulation as well as on a real robot. The results show that by using an online optimization approach recognition accuracy is greatly improved, but more importantly the optimized trajectory reduces the uncertainty of the posterior class distribution greatly. Hence, verifying that the optimized trajectory collects more valuable information.
Maximizing the throughput of high performance DSP applications using behavioral transformations

Meeting the stringent throughput requirements of high performance DSP applications is a challenging task. Extensive optimization of the computational structure is essential to satisfy these constraints. This paper proposes a new transformational approach for performance optimization. This approach consists of an ordered set of transformations, including algebraic transformations, loop unrolling, and retiming/pipelining, aimed at speeding up both recursive and non-recursive, us well as linear and non-linear applications. Impressive and close to optimal speed-up's have been obtained for a large range of benchmark examples. >
Purinergic signaling in astrocyte function and interactions with neurons

Purinergic signaling, which is intercellular communication mediated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its breakdown products (Fields, 2006a ; Fields and Burnstock, 2006 ; Fields and Stevens, 2000), can be considered the most pervasive mode of communication among cells in the nervous system. This is because, in contrast to neuro transmitters, growth factors, and ion fluxes, all cells share mechanisms for releasing ATP and membrane receptors for detecting it or its breakdown products. This enables all major types of glia to communicate via purinergic signaling and to communicate with neurons, vascular, and immune system cells. Consequently, the scope of functions mediated by ATP signaling spans the full range of physiological and pathophysiological processes in the nervous system. Cell proliferation, differentiation,
SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THE RHEUMATOID ELBOW: An Overview

Surgical treatment of the patient with rheumatoid arthritis continues to evolve. Synovectomy continues to be an effective palliative procedure, preferred in the early stages of disease. Further investigation into the use of arthroscopic techniques may result in decreased morbidity and a quicker recovery. Total elbow replacement by experienced surgeons employing contemporary designs and surgical techniques is associated with a high degree of success approaching that for total hip and knee replacement.
Cerebral vascular amyloid seeds drive amyloid β-protein fibril assembly with a distinct anti-parallel structure

Cerebrovascular accumulation of amyloid β-protein (Aβ), a condition known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), is a common pathological feature of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Familial Aβ mutations, such as Dutch-E22Q and Iowa-D23N, can cause severe cerebrovascular accumulation of amyloid that serves as a potent driver of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. The distinctive features of vascular amyloid that underlie its unique pathological properties remain unknown. Here, we use transgenic mouse models producing CAA mutants (Tg-SwDI) or overproducing human wild-type Aβ (Tg2576) to demonstrate that CAA-mutant vascular amyloid influences wild-type Aβ deposition in brain. We also show isolated microvascular amyloid seeds from Tg-SwDI mice drive assembly of human wild-type Aβ into distinct anti-parallel β-sheet fibrils. These findings indicate that cerebrovascular amyloid can serve as an effective scaffold to promote rapid assembly and strong deposition of Aβ into a unique structure that likely contributes to its distinctive pathology.
ON THE POSSIBILITY OF SPECULATIVE ETHICAL ABSOLUTES AFTER KANT: returning to schelling through the frailties of meillassoux and badiou

AbstractAccording to Quentin Meillassoux, one of the principal aims of speculative philosophy “must be the immanent inscription of values in being.” In this regard, the return to speculation in contemporary philosophy is in many ways a deeply ethical project. This “inscription of values” can only be successful, however, if it can somehow assert an absolute ethical value without, on the one hand, resorting to the kind of dogmatism laid to rest by the Kantian critique; or, on the other, by falling into some form of ethical relativism incapable of grounding universal ethical judgments. Unfortunately, too many of these attempts have failed. The aim of this paper is twofold: firstly, to explore the structure and failures of two such attempts through an analysis of the ethical projects of Alain Badiou and Quentin Meillassoux, respectively; and then, secondly, to show how both of these thinkers, and the project of speculative ethics in general, could benefit by turning to the work of F.W.J. Schelling on the conc...
A permutation test for comparing rotational symmetry in three-dimensional rotation data sets

Although there have been fairly recent advances regarding inference for three-dimensional rotation data, there are still many areas of interest yet to be explored. One such area involves comparing the rotational symmetry of 3-D rotations. In this paper, nonparametric inference is used to test if F 1=F 2, where F i is the degree of rotational symmetry of distribution i, through a permutation test. The validity of the developed permutation test is examined through a simulation study and the test is applied to a small example in biomechanics.
Diversity work and digital carework in higher education

This essay considers digital carework as a frame for the labor required by diversity initiatives in higher education. It situates diversity work in relation to affective labor and uses digital humanities as a case to explore how the emergence of information and communication technologies magnifies the labor demand. Finally, it considers how this hidden labor has important consequences for scholars who undertake diversity work.
The 21st-Century Classroom Gamer:

The 21st century has given rise to gaming industry technologies that drive a new type of learner in the classroom. This article draws data from four case studies that were conducted as part of a se...
Performance comparison of models for multiple rule firing

The performance of production programs can be improved by firing multiple rules in a production cycle. Although considerable amount of research has been done on parallel processing of production programs, the problem of multiple rule firing has not been thoroughly investigated yet. In this paper, we begin by identifying the problems associated with multiple rule firing systems: the compatibility problem and the convergence problem and present three multiple rule firing models which address them. The rule dependence model (RDM) addresses the compatibility problem using inter-rule data dependence analysis. The single-context-multiple-rules (SCMRJ model and the multiple-contexts-multiple-rules (MCMR) model address both the compatibility and the convergence problems. A production program executed under the SCMR and the MCMR models is guaranteed to reach a solution which is equivalent to the sequential execution. These three multiple rule firing models have been simulated on the RUBIC simulator, and the MCMR model, which has the highest performance, has been implemented on the Intel iPSC/2 hypercube. The simulation and implementation results are reported.
SOME REFLECTIONS ON LOGICAL TRUTH AS A PRIORI

In the first part of this paper I outline briefly what is included under “logical truth” in Arthur Burks’ Chance, Cause, Reason 1 and locate my topic under this heading as it is used by Professor Burks. In part II I indicate the sort of approach I believe has to be followed and the sort of issues that have to be faced if logical truths are to be explicated as a priori. I argue that in order to explicate them a priori one needs “unnaturalized” as opposed to a Quinean “naturalized” epistemology. I end this part of the paper by noting a difficulty that confronts any such explication. In part III I examine the possibility of escaping the difficulty by following Burks’ proposal that we explicate the notion of an a priori concept “in terms of ideas from automata theory.” In conclusion I urge that this proposal hardly offers an escape but rather a flight to naturalized epistemology.
Nitric Oxide Disrupts Zinc Homeostasis in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

ABSTRACT Nitric oxide (NO·) produced by mammalian cells exerts antimicrobial actions that result primarily from the modification of protein thiols ( S -nitrosylation) and metal centers. A comprehensive approach was used to identify novel targets of NO· in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ( S. Typhimurium). Newly identified targets include zinc metalloproteins required for DNA replication and repair (DnaG, PriA, and TopA), protein synthesis (AlaS and RpmE), and various metabolic activities (ClpX, GloB, MetE, PepA, and QueC). The cytotoxic actions of free zinc are mitigated by the ZntA and ZitB zinc efflux transporters, which are required for S. Typhimurium resistance to zinc overload and nitrosative stress in vitro . Zinc efflux also ameliorates NO·-dependent zinc mobilization following internalization by activated macrophages and is required for virulence in NO·-producing mice, demonstrating that host-derived NO· causes zinc stress in intracellular bacteria. IMPORTANCE Nitric oxide (NO·) is produced by macrophages in response to inflammatory stimuli and restricts the growth of intracellular bacteria. Mechanisms of NO·-dependent antimicrobial actions are incompletely understood. Here, we show that zinc metalloproteins are important targets of NO· in Salmonella , including the DNA replication proteins DnaG and PriA, which were hypothesized to be NO· targets in earlier studies. Like iron, zinc is a cofactor for several essential proteins but is toxic at elevated concentrations. This study demonstrates that NO· mobilizes free zinc in Salmonella and that specific efflux transporters ameliorate the cytotoxic effects of free zinc during infection.
From intertext to outcome: an archeology of classic video game narrative

In modern digital games, open worlds, multiple character selection and abilities, and an ever-changing cast of online characters present limitless possibilities for story generation. Classic games ...
Characteristics and survival of children with acute leukemia with Down syndrome or other birth defects in New York State.

Abstract Background Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) among DS children have been studied extensively using data from clinical trials or institutional reports. The purpose of this study was to link population-based cancer and birth defects data to evaluate characteristics and survival of children with acute leukemia according to the presence of DS or other birth defects. Methods ALL and AML cases diagnosed between 1983 and 2012 among children aged 0-14 years were obtained from the New York State Cancer Registry. Birth defect status (DS, other birth defects, or no birth defects) was determined by linking with birth defects data. Associations between birth defect status and demographic characteristics were evaluated using contingency table analysis. Ten-year survival was calculated by birth defect status and other potential prognostic factors. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was also performed. Results Among 2941 ALL children, 1.6% had DS, 3.8% had other birth defects, and 94.5% had no birth defects. Birth defect status was significantly associated with age at ALL diagnosis. Survivals were similar among three groups. Among 563 AML children, 11.0% had DS, 6.0% had other birth defects, and 83.0% had no birth defects. Children with DS were more likely to be diagnosed with AML at a younger age and showed the best survival. Conclusion Age at leukemia diagnosis was significantly associated with the birth defect status. Comparable survival was observed for ALL children. However, AML children with DS demonstrated superior survival compared to children with other birth defects or no birth defects.
Immiscible nanostructured copper-aluminum-niobium alloy with excellent precipitation strengthening upon friction stir processing and aging

Abstract A ternary immiscible nanostructured Cu-Al-Nb alloy was fabricated by friction stir processing of mechanically compacted pellets. Subsequently, aging was carried out at 563 K for various times. The material exhibited hardness of ~4.3 ± 0.1 GPa in the peak-aged condition (aging for 6 h), which is remarkable among Cu-based ternary immiscible alloys. The excellent strength of the material is attributed to Hall-Petch strengthening due to the extremely refined nanocrystalline structure, coupled with precipitation strengthening due to a uniform distribution of nano-scale Al- and Nb-rich precipitates or clusters, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and microstructural characterization.
Risk Factors for Stroke in Patients With Sepsis and Bloodstream Infections.

Background and Purpose— Sepsis has been identified as a trigger for stroke, but the underlying mechanisms and risk factors that predispose patients with sepsis to increased stroke risk remain uncle...
Predicting Racial Disparities in Nursing Home Admission: The Role of Discrimination, Stressors, and Neighborhood Context

Although the overall trend in nursing home use has declined, this has not been the case for racial and ethnic minorities. This article elucidates the role of stressors and neighborhood context in n...
Effect of Maternal Protein Deficiency on Ganglioside Metabolism in Neonatal Rat Brain

Malnutrition induced by a severe dietary protein deprivation in early life can retard subsequent neurological development in both humans and experimental animals (1). Although several laboratories have demonstrated that protein undernutrition in the newborn decreases the lipid, phospholipid, cerebroside and DNA content of brain (2–6) as well as retard sulfatide synthesis (7), little attention has been devoted to the effects of protein under-nutrition on ganglioside metabolism. Today I am going to discuss some effects on weanling rat brain ganglioside metabolism of severe maternal protein deprivation prior to and during gestation and lactation. Specifically,I will report the effects on the gangliosides, a representative ganglioside biosynthetic enzyme, UDPgalactose: GM2 galactosyl transferase and a representative ganglioside degradative enzyme, neuraminidase.
The influence of donors on cross class social movements: same sex marriage and trans rights campaigns in New York State

New York State’s largest gay rights organization, the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA), won significant legislative victories, including the legalization of same sex marriage in 2011. Yet ESPA was ...
Spring Recovery of Constructed Wetland Plants Affects Nutrient Removal From Nursery Runoff

Abstract The nursery/greenhouse industry is the fastest growing segment of United States agriculture. Consumer demand for excellent product quality requires luxury applications of water and agricultural chemicals. These cultural practices tend to yield significant volumes of runoff rich in nutrients and pesticides. A capture and recycle system at the Nursery/Floral Crops Research and Education Center at the Texas A&M University was fitted with 12 sub-surface flow (SSF) and 12 free-surface flow (FSF) wetland cells. A single pass of runoff through constructed wetland cells provided substantial reduction of runoff nutrient concentrations, particularly NO3-N, without increasing electrical conductivity (EC), an indicator of salinity. Nitrate-N concentration reductions were greater in the FSF cells than SSF cells, while the greatest reductions in ammonium and nitrites were obtained with SSF cells. Growth of Iris pseudacorus L. and Canna x generalis L.H. Bailey during spring growth was greater in the FSF wetland...
Preliminary Neutronics Investigation of the Delayed Neutron Nondestructive Assay of an Integral Fast Reactor Waste Canister

An innovative liquid-metal reactor, the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR), is being developed at Argonne National Laboratory. One characteristic of the IFR is the fuel cycle closure. Fissile material bred and fissionable material produced in the reactor are recycled back into the reactor. Waste generated during fuel reprocessing will be packaged into special waste canisters and will be shipped to a repository for final disposal. Prior to its removal from the facility, a measurements of the fissile content will be necessary as a part of an overall fissile material inventory accountability system. A particular form of nondestructive assay called delayed neutron nondestructive assay (DNNDA) is being developed to assist in the establishment of an accountability system. A preliminary neutronics investigation for the current DNNDA has been made to assist and verify the characteristics of the design from a neutronic aspect. A 10[sup 11] n/s, 14-MeV neutron source would provide adequate counting statistics for fissile material at the milligram to gram level.
Retinal Vasculitis in Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis With Concurrent Cytomegalovirus Retinitis

Purpose: This case report describes a patient with retinal vasculitis and intraocular inflammation secondary to lymphomatoid granulomatosis who was later found to have concurrent cytomegalovirus re...
Keynesian Uncertainty: The Great Divide between Joan Robinson and Paul Samuelson in their Correspondence and Public Exchanges

Joan Robinson and Paul Samuelson found little to agree upon in a correspondence which began in 1946, shortly after the death of Keynes, and ended a year prior to Robinson’s death in 1983. One way to read the correspondence is to keep in mind that Keynesian uncertainty was central to Robinson’s understanding of how capitalist economies function. Samuelson, never impressed by Keynes’s handling of uncertainty, understood capital theory—if not capitalism—in terms of dynamic programming, with its perfect foresight entailments. This is evident throughout his letters to Robinson, although rarely acknowledged in a straightforward way, particularly during the period from 1971 until 1975 when their disagreements came to a head. On several occasions, Robinson despaired of making any progress in getting Samuelson to acknowledge the importance of her questions. Unfailingly polite to her, he granted only in a letter to Solow that, “She is on to a real problem…”.
Gender Disparities in Industry Payments to Urologists

Objective: To analyze and compare industry payments to urologists in the Open Payments Database by gender. We hypothesized that industry payments might be greater to male vs women urologists. Methods: The Open Payments Database was analyzed from 2013-2017 and gender determined for all urologists receiving payments in the following categories: 1) research (made in connection to a research program or protocol), 2) ownership (ownership or investment interests held by the physician or immediate family member), and 3) general. Payment form and amount was collected and average payment per category, by gender, was calculated. Results: A total of 12,161 urologists received industry payments from 2013-2017, of which 90% were male. Over the study period, there was a greater proportional increase in female urologists participating in industry payments: 46.8% for female urologists, vs. 12.3% for male urologists (p<0.01). Male urologists earned twice as much as women in all categories except for Ownership. Average payment (USD) per urologist was $3,106 vs. $1338, $34, 494 vs. $16,020, and $39,062 vs. $252,710 for General, Research, and Ownership, respectively. Although the number of female urologists receiving industry payment increased during the study period, the average payment amount increased by 14.6% for women, compared to 107.8% for men (p<0.01). Conclusion: Analysis of the Open Payments Database shows that on average women urologists earned half as much as men in their industry reported payments.
Identifying P2P Communities in Network Traffic Using Measures of Community Connections : IEEE CNS 20 Poster

Several methods for P2P botnet detection have been proposed, including P2P community detection in a communication graph built from network traffic flows. This approach is more resilient to botnet traffic obfuscation or encryption compared to traffic signature detection, however it cannot identify which of the detected communities corresponds to the P2P botnet. We propose to use only community metrics such as internal degree and conductance to separate P2P communities from other detected communities, based on the fact that nodes in P2P overlay networks are likely to communicate more with each other compared to outside the network, forming denser communities. Our initial evaluation, using large real-world traffic traces combined with real-world P2P botnet graphs, show that this approach is promising, with about 99% or higher detection rate, though at lower precision (11.6%) for smaller P2P networks.
Current Treatments of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

This paper aims to review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT). There is no current consensus regarding conservative or surgical treatments for IAT. There has recently been an increase of trials demonstrating utility for extracorporeal shock wave in treating IAT. Additionally, a retrospective study of percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy shows promise. IAT has historically been recalcitrant to treatment. There are multiple available treatment options, and many that may confer some benefit. Knowing the available conservative treatment options and discussing the risks and benefits with the patient can help the patient and clinician determine what treatment options to employ for each individual.
Changing the Composition of Beginning Teachers: The Role of State Alternative Certification Policies:

Drawing on nationally representative data from six cohorts of beginning teachers from the Schools and Staffing Survey and the National Teacher and Principal Survey, this study applies a difference-...
The Bone Marrow Niche from the Inside Out: How Megakaryocytes are Shaped by and Shape Hematopoiesis.

Megakaryocytes (MKs), the largest of the hematopoietic cells, are responsible for producing platelets by extending and depositing long proplatelet extensions into the bloodstream. The traditional view of megakaryopoiesis describes the cellular journey from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) along the myeloid branch of hematopoiesis. However, recent studies suggest that MKs can be generated from multiple pathways, some of which do not require transit through multipotent or bipotent MK-erythroid progenitor stages in both steady state and emergency conditions. Growing evidence suggests that these emergency conditions are due to stress-induced molecular changes of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, also called the BM niche. These changes can result from insults that affect the BM cellular composition, microenvironment, architecture, or a combination of these factors. In this review, we explore MK development, focusing on recent studies showing that MKs can be generated from multiple, divergent pathways. We highlight how the BM niche may both encourage and alter these processes using different mechanisms of communication such as direct cell-to-cell contact, secreted molecules (autocrine and paracrine signaling), and the release of cellular components such as extracellular vesicles. Likewise, we also explore how MKs can actively build and shape the surrounding BM niche.
Quantitative activity levels and gestational age at delivery: a prospective cohort study among nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE Despite the knowledge that bed rest does not reduce the risk of preterm birth (PTB), it continues to be recommended by many providers worldwide. This is because there are no quantitative data assessing the relationship between PTB and physical activity in pregnancy.1–3 We designed a prospective cohort study using a Fitbit activity tracker to quantitatively explore the association between baseline physical activity in pregnancy in steps/day and the risk of PTB ( STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective cohort study assessing the association between the risk of PTB and physical activity in healthy nulliparous women from 10 to 24 weeks to delivery. The physical activity (San Francisco, California) was measured from the time of entry into the study until the day before admission for delivery using the Fitbit Flex 2. The participants wore the faceless device 24/7 without modifying their activity. The primary exposure was steps/day in low- ( RESULTS A total of 134 women were enrolled, of which 25 (19%) and 109 (81%) were in the low- and high-level activity groups, respectively. Overall, 11 (8.2%) women delivered preterm. The high-level activity group was older, partnered, employed, and had a higher education level. The PTB did not differ between the groups (adjusted risk ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99–1.00) (Table). There was no difference in the median steps/d between preterm and term deliveries (7767 interquartile range, [5188–10,387] vs 6986 [5412–8528]); percentile difference, −442; (95% CI, −2233 to 1507) steps. Using a 3500 steps/d cutoff, there was a 75% reduction in the PTB risk (29% vs 7%, respectively; risk ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.05–2.35) (Table). CONCLUSION This prospective study of nulliparous women showed no difference in the risk of PTB between low- vs high-activity groups using a cutoff of 5000 steps/d. The gestational age at delivery was similar between the groups. No significant difference in the number of steps/d was observed between women who delivered preterm compared with term. The women who were prescribed activity restriction (AR) had a marked reduction in their median number of steps/d after AR was prescribed. However, their median number of steps per day (>5000) reflected that they remained active despite this instruction. An additional analysis using 3500 steps/d as a cutoff for exposure groups showed a significantly increased risk of PTB in the
Civil War Arkansas 1863: The Battle for a State

Review of: "Civil War Arkansas 1863: The Battle for a State," by Mark K. Christ, the "Campaigns and Commanders Series," 23.
Workforce Challenges and Retention Success Stories

This viewgraph document discusses the current and future challenges in building and retaining the required workforce of scientist and engineers for NASA. Specifically, the talk reviews the current situation at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Several programs at NASA for high school and college students to assist in inspiring the next generation of scientist and engineers are reviewed. The issue of retention of the best of the young scientists and engineers is also reviewed, with a brief review of several young engineers and their success with and for NASA.
Using BEA and BLS Data to Monitor Metropolitan Area Economic Performance

Although personal income data for states are available on a timely basis, a comprehensive and timely measure of economic growth for cities does not exist. This paper develops a methodology for estimating current metropolitan area earnings by weighting the BLS metropolitan-area monthly job data by the most recently available BEA industry earnings data. The earnings-weighted job data are then used to construct an economic performance index to compare economic growth among metropolitan areas. To illustrate, we construct the index for the 75 largest U.S. metropolitan areas for the first quarter of 1990. We also examine metropolitan economic growth for the year 1989 and show how our index compares to simple job growth and personal income growth. Finally, earnings-weighted shift-share analysis is developed as a way of further examining the components of growth in a city.
Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008)

A giant of science fiction literature wrote with scientific precision and imaginative insight about Earth and space sciences.