cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epithelial cell growth and differentiation. III. Promoting diversity in the intestine: conversations between the microflora, epithelium, and diffuse GALT

Homeostasis in the self-renewing mouse intestinal epithelium appears to be regulated in large part by cell nonautonomous mechanisms. The society of nonpathogenic bacteria that resides in the intestine is an important source of instructions that modify epithelial differentiation programs. The stability of this society is remarkable given its numerical, compositional, and spatial complexity, the openness of the ecosystem, and the fact that the epithelium is replaced so rapidly. The ability of components of this society to influence epithelial differentiation may represent a critical step in allowing specific groups of organisms to be assembled in specific regions of the gut. Simplified model systems have been created to define and dissect the conversations between microbe and host. These systems use inbred strains of mice that are raised under germ-free conditions and then monocontaminated with a single component of the microflora. The results suggest that a trialogue involving communications between the microflora, the epithelium, and the diffuse gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) may play a key role in establishing and maintaining the spatial diversity of this remarkable ecosystem.
Crystal structure of Hsc20, a J-type Co-chaperone from Escherichia coli.

Hsc20 is a 20 kDa J-protein that regulates the ATPase activity and peptide-binding specificity of Hsc66, an hsp70-class molecular chaperone. We report herein the crystal structure of Hsc20 from Escherichia coli determined to a resolution of 1.8 A using a combination of single isomorphous replacement (SIR) and multi-wavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD). The overall structure of Hsc20 consists of two distinct domains, an N-terminal J-domain containing residues 1-75 connected by a short loop to a C-terminal domain containing residues 84-171. The structure of the J-domain, involved in interactions with Hsc66, resembles the alpha-topology of J-domain fragments of Escherichia coli DnaJ and human Hdj1 previously determined by solution NMR methods. The C-terminal domain, implicated in binding and targeting proteins to Hsc66, consists of a three-helix bundle in which two helices comprise an anti-parallel coiled-coil. The two domains make contact through an extensive hydrophobic interface ( approximately 650 A(2)) suggesting that their relative orientations are fixed. Thus, Hsc20, in addition to its role in the regulation of the ATPase activity of Hsc66, may also function as a rigid scaffold to facilitate positioning of the protein substrates targeted to Hsc66.
Daphnia in Lake Washington1

In 1976 Daphnia, a genus that had been inconspicuous in the zooplankton of Lake Washington, suddenly became dominant. The mean summer transparency of the lake doubled. The major change affecting the success of Daphnia evidently was a decrease in the abundance of the predatory Neomysis mercedis in the mid-1960s. Daphnia probably did not increase at that time because of the continued persistence of significant quantities of Oscillatoria until 1975. Eight species of Daphnia have been seen in the lake, but only three have become abundant. Daphnia pulicaria has been continuously present since its appearance in May 1976, although it becomes very scarce in winter. Daphnia galeata mendotae and Daphnia thorata have had much more limited occurrence. In each year from 1976 to 1980, two species formed separate population maxima, except in fall 1979 when D. thorata, although present, failed to increase. Instead, the plankton became dominated by the rotifer Conochilus hippocrepis which had been increasing for several years. In 1980 D. thorata and D. pulicaria made maxima, but in reverse order from earlier years. Several other species of zooplankton have been less abundant since the resurgence of Daphnia than during the period of eutrophication and recovery.
Reliability-oriented task allocation in redundant distributed systems

Optimal task allocation for redundant, heterogeneous distributed computer systems is examined. It is assumed that the systems under consideration are required for execution of long-term mission applications such as space flights. A formal description of the problem is given and formal, quantitative task allocation models are derived. Both an optimal allocation algorithm and an approximating optimal algorithm are derived, discussed, and compared by simulation results. For the latter case, a formula for computing the error associated with the approximation used, is also presented. >
Patient values and preferences when choosing anticoagulants

BACKGROUND New oral anticoagulants have similar efficacy and lower bleeding rates compared with warfarin. However, in case of bleeding there is no specific antidote to reverse their effects. We evaluated the preferences and values of anticoagulants of patients at risk of atrial fibrillation and those who have already made a decision regarding anticoagulation. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of Veterans in the primary care clinics and the international normalized ratio (INR) laboratory. We developed an instrument with patient and physician input to measure patient values and preferences. The survey contained a hypothetical scenario of the risk of atrial fibrillation and the attributes of each anticoagulant. After the scenario, we asked participants to choose the option that best fits their preferences. The options were: 1) has better efficacy at reducing risk of stroke; 2) has been in the market for a long period of time; 3) has an antidote to reverse the rare case of bleeding; 4) has better quality of life profile with no required frequent laboratory tests; or 5) I want to follow physician recommendations. We stratified our results by those patients who are currently exposed to anticoagulants and those who are not exposed but are at risk of atrial fibrillation. RESULTS We approached 173 Veterans and completed 137 surveys (79% response rate). Ninety subjects were not exposed to anticoagulants, 46 reported being on warfarin, and one reported being on dabigatran at the time of the survey. Ninety-eight percent of subjects stated they would like to participate in the decision-making process of selecting an anticoagulant. Thirty-six percent of those exposed and 37% of those unexposed to anticoagulants reported that they would select a medication that has an antidote even if the risk of bleeding was very small. Twenty-three percent of the unexposed and 22% of the exposed groups reported that they would prefer the medication that gives the best quality of life. CONCLUSION Our study found that patients who may be exposed to an anticoagulation decision prefer to actively participate in the decision-making process, and have individual values for making a decision that cannot be predicted or assumed by anyone in the health care system.
Building District-Level Capacity for Positive Behavior Support

As more and more schools adopt school-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS) as a model for school improvement and the success of initial demonstration sites becomes evident, districts are faced with expansion and sustainability issues. Careful planning of these implementation efforts requires district personnel to be familiar with the resources and supports needed to implement and sustain such district-wide systems change efforts and build an infrastructure to support SWPBS initiatives. The purpose of this article is to expand upon School-wide Positive Behavior Support: Implementers' Blueprint and Self-Assessment (Sugai et al., 2005) by describing the how-to of the SWPBS implementation process with specific activities and providing user-friendly tools that can assist a district in “going to scale.” Obstacles to and future considerations for expanding the practice of SWPBS are also presented.
Nursing Home Procedures on Transitions of Care

Objective To identify nursing home standards through a nationwide survey of directors of nursing regarding transitions of care for residents transferred from acute care hospitals to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Methods A national survey was distributed online and was completed by 241 directors of nursing of SNFs. The directors of nursing were asked about communication methods, transfer of records, and staff involvement with admissions from acute care hospitals. Results The results of the survey demonstrated widespread use of an admission coordinator in the nursing home to direct admissions to the facility. Admission nurses consistently had the most responsibility for ascertaining the correct medication regimen on admission to the facility. Although there was a variation in types of records received from the hospitals, more than 80% received medication administration record or discharge/transfer sheet within 1 hour of a patient's arrival. Conclusion The results of this survey demonstrate that although direct verbal communication is not the norm, communication via paper documentation of transfer information is highly common. There was a statistically significantly increased likelihood of the SNF receiving the discharge/transfer sheet and the last medication list when it was directly affiliated with the transferring hospital. These affiliations would increase as a result of proposed payment changes that would bundle Medicare Part A acute hospital payments with the SNF payment.
Plant-derived triterpenoids and analogues as antitumor and anti-HIV agents.

Covering: January 2006 to December 2008 This article reviews the antitumor and anti-HIV activities of naturally occurring triterpenoids, including the lupane, ursane, oleanane, lanostane, dammarane, and miscellaneous scaffolds. Structure–activity relationships of selected natural compounds and their synthetic derivatives are also discussed.
Improving Employment Outcomes for Chronic Alcoholics: Applying the Supported Employment Model

Alcohol use and alcoholism have massive and far-reaching effects on employment. The consequences of lost employment and reduced productivity as a result of alcohol use can be circumvented through the use of supported employment services. The purpose of this article is to present the implications of using the supported employment model to assist chronic alcoholics in their employment. Several components of supported employment (ecological assessment, job training, job sharing, and ongoing support) are presented as being beneficial to alcoholics in maintaining employment.
Flow activates an endothelial potassium channel to release an endogenous nitrovasodilator.

Flow-mediated vasodilation is endothelium dependent. We hypothesized that flow activates a potassium channel on the endothelium, and that activation of this channel leads to the release of the endogenous nitrovasodilator, nitric oxide. To test this hypothesis, rabbit iliac arteries were perfused at varying flow rates, at a constant pressure of60 mm Hg. Increments in flow induced proportional increases in vessel diameter, which were abolished by LN-mono-methylarginine (the antagonist of nitric-oxide synthesis). Barium chloride, depolarizing solutions ofpotassium, verapamil, calcium-free medium, and antagonists of the Kc. channel (charybdotoxin, iberiotoxin) also blocked flow-mediated vasodilation. Conversely, responses toother agonists of endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation were unaffected by charybdotoxin or iberiotoxin. To confirm that flow activated a specific potassium channel to induce the release of nitric oxide, endothelial cells cultured on microcarrier beads were added to a flow chamber containing a vascular ring without endothelium. Flow-stimulated endothelial cells released a diffusible vasodilator, the degree of vasorelaxation was dependent upon the flow rate. Relaxation was abrogated by barium, tetraethylammonium ion, or charybdotoxin, but was not affected by apamin, glybenclamide, tetrodotoxin, or ouabain. The data suggest that transmission of a hyperpolarizing current from endothelium to the vascular smooth muscle is not necessary for flow-mediated vasodilation. Flow activates a potassium channel (possibly the Kc. channel) on the endothelial cell membrane that leads to the release ofnitric oxide. (J. Clin.
Detection of Oligonucleotides Hybridized to a Planar Surface Using Matrix-Assisted Laser-Desorption Mass Spectroscopy

The detection of oligonucleotides hybridized to a planar, plastic substrate using matrix-assisted laser- desorption time-of-flight mass spectroscopy is reported. Oligonucleotides of length 18 to 29 bases were hybridized to a plastic surface upon which a monolayer of an oligonucleotide of sequence 5'-TCC TCT CTC CGT CAT GCG TAT CGT TCA AT-3' was tethered at the 3' end. The target oligonucleotides were hybridized from dilute aqueous solution. The system was prepared for laser desorption by using the matrix 3-hydroxypicolinic acid, deposited at 45 °C. The subsequent mass spectra revealed parent molecular ion for the target DNA with low-level dimerization and no discernible fragmentation.
Hypertension may be the most important component of hyperdynamic therapy in cerebral vasospasm

Although hyperdynamic therapy is an accepted method of treatment of patients with symptomatic cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, it remains unproven in large scale trials and controlled studies. Furthermore, methods of hyperdynamic therapy and specific endpoints vary widely. A systematic review of clinical trials of the various techniques of hyperdynamic therapy and their effects on cerebral blood flow found only 11 studies suitable for analysis. Although controlled trials are lacking, there is some evidence to suggest that hypertension is the most promising component of hyperdynamic therapy. These findings support a future randomized trial of induced hypertension in patients with symptomatic cerebral vasospasm.
William Stewart Halsted: his life and contributions to surgery.

Summary William Stewart Halsted was a pioneer of surgery in the USA and made many wide-ranging contributions, including the surgical treatment of breast cancer. He changed the training of surgeons from a disorganised apprenticeship to the residency training programmes used today. Halsted's research developed a better understanding of surgically amenable disease and a multitude of new techniques and operations. Over a 40-year career, beginning in New York and continuing at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, he endured a terrible struggle resulting from an accidental addiction, acquired in the course of his research. Despite this, his legacy to medicine and human health is one of the greatest left by any individual surgeon in history and remains an inspiration today.
No evidence of a Neanderthal contribution to modern human diversity

The relationship between Neanderthals and modern humans is contentious, but recent advances in Neanderthal genomics have shed new light on their evolutionary history. Here we review the available evidence and find no indication of any Neanderthal contribution to modern genetic diversity.
A comparison of rural and urban Emergency Medical System (EMS) personnel: a Texas study.

Introduction In treating accident victims, actions by the Emergency Medical Personnel (EMP) at the scene may be the difference between life or death, full recovery or permanent disability. Development of selected profiles based on locale of services, tenure, and paramedic certification will provide valuable insight into the diversity within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) profession. Not only will these profiles enable administrators to improve their recruitment, training, and retention of the emergency medical workforce, it potentially could enhance the quality of health care in the community. Population Emergency medical personnel attending a statewide conference in Texas in late 1996 (n = 425). Hypotheses 1) There is no difference between the profiles of urban and rural EMP; 2) There is no difference between the profiles of urban EMP with or = 9 years of experience; 3) There is no differences between the profiles of rural EMP with or = 9 years of experience. 4) There is no difference between the profiles of urban EMP with paramedic certification and those without certification; and 5) There is no difference between the profiles of rural EMP with paramedic certification and those without certification. Methods EMP attending the conference completed 425 survey instruments measuring five demographic features, five work-related features, and two psychological features. Survey instruments were included in each registrant's conference package. Completed surveys were deposited anonymously in labeled receptacles throughout the statewide conference site. Data collection ceased at the end of the conference. Discriminant analysis identified distinct profiles for the urban and rural EMP. Results The urban EMP, more than rural subjects, was younger (mean = 36 years), more likely to be compensated 100% for their services, had a higher level of education (mean = 13.8 years), and reported a lower level of burnout. Urban EMP with Conclusions In Texas, locale of service (urban or rural), length of tenure as an EMP (> or = 9 years), and paramedic certification appear to be significant factors that define the EMP population in Texas.
Cytological Analysis of Some Stocks of Drosophila Melanogaster Derived by Unequal Crossing-over at or near the White Locus

appears that certain combinations of mutant alleles at the white locus in the chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster give rise at meiosis to unequal exchanges. These exchanges result in complementary deficiency and duplication chromatids. Furthermore, with a given combination of alleles, the exchanges seem to involve specific regions within or close to the white locus, so that the resulting deficiencies and duplications are constant for a given allelic combination. JUDD (1961) has provided both genetic and cytological evidence for this constancy. GREEN (1959a,b, 1961) has made a genetical analysis of similar deficiencies and duplications. I am indebted to DR. GREEN for some of his stocks of which a cytological analysis is presented in this paper. METHODS
Physical Metallurgy and Mechanical Properties of Materials: Brittle Fracture

At Symposium on Physical Metallurgy and Mechanical Properties of Materials, held by Eng Mechanics Div for summarizing current state of knowledge and some most recent developments in understanding of materials behavior, following paper covers "Brittle Fracture".
Examination of the Impact of Copper(II) α-(N)-Heterocyclic Thiosemicarbazone Complexes on DNA Topoisomerase IIα

Type II DNA topoisomerases resolve topological knots and tangles in DNA that result from routine cellular processes and are effective targets for anticancer therapeutics. To this end, thiosemicarbazones have been identified as having the ability to kill cancer cells from several cell lines. Literature evidence suggests that at least some thiosemicarbazones have an impact on topoisomerase II activity. However, the mechanism is not as clearly defined. Therefore, we set out to analyze the activity of four α-(N)-heterocyclic thiosemicarbazone compounds against topoisomerase IIα. The ligands, acetylpyridine-ethylthiosemicarbazone (APY-ETSC) and acetylpyrazine-methylthiosemicarbazone (APZ-MTSC), and their copper(II) [Cu(II)] complexes [Cu(APY-ETSC)Cl] and [Cu(APZ-MTSC)Cl] were examined for the ability to impact the catalytic cycle of human topoisomerase IIα. Both [Cu(APY-ETSC)Cl] and [Cu(APZ-MTSC)Cl] were more effective at inhibiting DNA relaxation compared with the ligands alone. Further, both [Cu(APY-ETSC)Cl]...
The Analgesic Effect of Combined Infusions of Morphine and Ketamine Using an Intravenous PCA after a Cesarean Section

Background: Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, is known to have analgesic properties in subanesthetic doses and has been used as an analgesic in the postoperative period by variable routes. The effect of adding ketamine to analgesia using intravenous PCA morphine was evaluated in 90 women after cesarean section. Methods: Ninety parturients were randomly allocated to three groups and each group had 30 women. The parturients in group 1 were given analgesics of morphine only, group 2 were given analgesics of the 2:1 mixture of morphine and ketamine, and group 3 were given analgesics of the 1:1 mixture of morphine and ketamine. We evaluated the analgesic requirement, numerical rating pain score, side effects and patient's satisfaction. Results: The morphine requirement in group 3 was significantly lower than that in groups 1 and 2 at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The pain score in group 2 was lower than that in group 1 at 3 and 6 hours and the pain score in group 3 was lowest of all groups at 3 and 6 hours. The incidence of dizziness was higher in group 3 than in groups 1 or 2. Conclusions: We concluded that adding ketamine with morphine in using an intravenous PCA can decrease analgesic requirements and improve analgesic property. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2001; 40: 509∼ 514) ꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏ
Plant Resistance to a Greenbug Biotype Injurious to Sorghum

Seedlings of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), rye ( Secal cereal L...), wheat ( Triticum aestivum L..), and sudangrass ( Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf.) with resistance to Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (B-biotype, originally (collected on wheat) were tested for resistance to a greenbug (C-biotype, originally collected on sorghum) that extensively damaged sorghums in 1968. ‘Piper’ sudangrass. ‘Caribou Selection’ rye and ‘CI 9058/7 *Bison’ wheat were resistant to the B-but susceptible to the C-biotype. ‘Dicktoo’ barley and ‘Insave F.A.’ rye were the only cultivars resistant to both biotypes.
The Virtual Lighting Laboratory: Per-pixel Luminance Data Analysis

(2006). The Virtual Lighting Laboratory: Per-pixel Luminance Data Analysis. LEUKOS: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 89-104.
Modeling Customer Growth

This article uses the multinomial modeling technique (Batchelder 1998) to decompose the brand-switching matrix of the RLZ model and produces conditional probabilities for alternative decision outcomes (Rust, Lemon, and Zeithaml 2004; Rust, Lemon, and Narayandas 2005). It then links the probabilities with Bayes’ theorem and creates a new customer growth function on consumer choice (i.e., the customer retention rate). The growth function offers novel insights on customer growth from behavioral choice modeling perspective comparing to mainstream time-based adoption models (Bass 1969, 2004; Gupta, Lehmann, and Stuart 2004). These insights include three predictions that are corroborated with a peak analysis. The market share (k) of a brand determines the shape of the growth function. For small and medium brands, the relationship between customer growth and consumer choice follows an inverted-U curve. The peak of the growth curve may not exist if the market share of the brand is too large.
Active thermal fluids and the Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon accumulation in the Cuoqin Basin,Tibet

Fluid flow has a significant impact on the hydrocarbon accumulation and preservation under the plateau-formed background.The present paper revealed a relationship between active thermal fluids and the Lower Cretaceous hydrocarbon accumulation in the Cuoqin Basin by systematically analyzing 26 samples of fluid inclusions.The result indicated that there were plenty of bitumen and organic fluid inclusions in the Cretaceous Langshan(K1l) and Duoni(K1d) formations of the Cuoqin Basin,confirming occurrences of large-scale hydrocarbon generation,migration and accumulation within the basin.The homogenized temperature of saline aqueous inclusions indicated that there existed five episodes of thermal fluid activities in the study area and they were all related to hydrocarbon migration and accumulation,which were statistically dominated by the 2 to 5 episodes.Based on homogenized temperatures and combined with thermal and burial histories of this sedimentary basin,three hydrocarbon charges were determined to occur in 124.1~101.5 Ma,96.4~89.9 Ma and 80.4~63.1 Ma,respectively,among which the critical moment for hydrocarbon migration and accumulation occurred in the first and second episodes.There were frequent activities of fluid flow in the Cuoqin Basin during Early Cretaceous due to the effect of tectonic movements,and later hydrothermal fluids accelerated the thermal evolution of source rocks,leading to the loss of hydrocarbons and the destruction of paleo-oil reservoirs.It was,therefore,suggested that hydrocarbon resources accumulated in Late Cenozoic or Mesozoic oil-gas reservoirs that were comparatively well preserved would be the major target for oil and gas exploration in this basin.
Research on building public service system of people's fit-keeping in the city of Qinhuangdao's building a well-off society

Under the circumstance of building a well-off society in an all-round way in the city of Qinhuangdao,we surveyed and analyzed the present situation of its people's fit-keeping and related services,on this basis,we put forward to the thoughts and solutions of building a fitness for public welfare service system in the city of Qinhuangdao in order to provide forceful support for the sports culture construction of the city of Qinhuangdao's building a well-off society.
Inhibition of human sperm penetration into zona-free hamster oocytes by proteinase inhibitors *

The potential role of serine proteinase in the penetration of human spermatozoa into denuded (zona-free) hamster oocytes was investigated. Aryl 4-guanidinobenzoates (10 −4 to 10 −6 M) and 4-aminobenzamidines (10 −3 and 10 −4 M) decreased oocyte penetration when present throughout the assay system. More detailed studies with 8-quinolyl 4-guanidinobenzoate showed that this inhibitor also caused a large decrease in the penetration rate even when only present during the preincubation period of the spermatozoa to induce capacitation. Much smaller decreases were observed when this inhibitor was only present during sperm/egg incubation. By contrast, 4-aminobenzamidine caused a large decrease in the penetration rate when present during sperm/egg incubation but a much smaller one when present during the sperm's preincubation period. The primary action of the inhibitors was not due to a visible effect on sperm motility or forward progression, or to an effect on the oocyte, although treatment of oocytes with inhibitor caused a small decrease in penetration. Inhibition of sperm binding to the oolemma occurred also at times, but this was not directly correlated to the decrease in oocyte penetration. The results are consistent with the fact that a serine proteinase, presumably acrosin, is important for the capacitation, acrosome reaction, and/or oocyte penetration of human spermatozoa. The synthesized aryl 4-guanidinobenzoates are of interest as contraceptive agents because they possess phenols approved by the Food and Drug Administration (United States) for human use and should be relatively nontoxic.
Low molecular weight heparin inhibits sickle erythrocyte adhesion to VCAM-1 through VLA-4 blockade in a standardized microfluidic flow adhesion assay.

Keywords: erythrocytes; adhesion; VLA-4; sickle cell disease; low molecular weight heparin
Multistate Efforts to Answer Consumer Horticulture Questions in eXtension

The Consumer Horticulture Community of Practice (CHCoP), responsible for the Gardens, Lawns, and Landscapes section of eXtension, has historically answered over 35% of the questions submitted to ‘‘Ask an Expert’’ (AaE)—the eXtension online, e-mail based question and answer system. Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers were initially recruited to help answer questions and were responsible for resolving over 50% of the horticulture-tagged questions in 2008. With the number of questions related to horticulture nearly doubling on an annual basis, there was concern that EMGs alone would not be able to respond to all the questions. However, as eXtension has become more institutionalized in the land-grant system, countyand state-level extension staff have been encouraged to be involved in AaE. While EMG volunteers continue to play a vital role in answering questions, state extension specialists, and more so, county extension staff, are answering questions as well. This balanced approach seems more sustainable and at least 75% of questions are now being answered by an expert in the same state where the question originated.
Elimination of Transcoarctation Pressure Gradients Has No Impact on Left Ventricular Function or Aortic Shear Stress After Intervention in Patients With Mild Coarctation

Abstract Objectives This study sought to investigate the impact of transcatheter intervention on left ventricular function and aortic hemodynamics in patients with mild coarctation of the aorta (COA). Background The optimal method and timing of transcatheter intervention for COA remains unclear, especially when the severity of COA is mild (peak-to-peak transcoarctation pressure gradient Methods We developed a unique computational fluid dynamics and lumped parameter modeling framework based on patient-specific hemodynamic input parameters and validated it against patient-specific clinical outcomes (before and after intervention). We used clinically measured hemodynamic metrics and imaging of the aorta and the left ventricle in 34 patients with mild COA to make these correlations. Results Despite dramatic reduction in the transcoarctation pressure gradient (catheter and Doppler echocardiography pressure gradients reduced by 75% and 47.3%, respectively), there was only modest effect on aortic flow and no significant impact on aortic shear stress (the maximum time-averaged wall shear stress in descending aorta was reduced 5.1%). In no patient did transcatheter intervention improve left ventricular function (e.g., stroke work and normalized stroke work were reduced by only 4.48% and 3.9%, respectively). Conclusions Transcatheter intervention that successfully relieves mild COA pressure gradients does not translate to decreased myocardial strain. The effects of the intervention were determined to the greatest degree by ventricular–vascular coupling hemodynamics and provide a novel valuable mechanism to evaluate patients with COA that may influence clinical practice.
RRect: A Novel Server-centric Data Center Network with High Availability

In this paper, we propose a novel server-centric network for data centers, called RRect. Compared to existing server-centric networks, RRect has a linear diameter to the network order and abundant parallel paths with near-equal lengths, so that traffic in RRect enjoys a short and predictable communication latency. We present an efficient routing algorithm to find paths between any pair of servers in RRect. A complete addressing scheme and recursive RRect construction procedure are also provided in this paper. Meanwhile, to meet today's stringent high availability requirement, unlike existing server-centric network structures, RRect can be configured into redundancy and failover scheme, in which the backup server can fully take the place of the corresponding malfunctioning server without losing topological advantages, such as multiple near-equal parallel paths. Our comprehensive simulations show that RRect gives a better average path lengths and a more balanced path distribution among all pairs of servers. Meanwhile, RRect can maintain the same performance on many critical metrics as BCube, including short diameter and excellent aggregate throughput. All these features make RRect a very empirical structure for enterprise dater center network products.
Transforming Water: Social Influence Moderates Psychological, Physiological, and Functional Response to a Placebo Product.

This paper investigates how social influence can alter physiological, psychological, and functional responses to a placebo product and how such responses influence the ultimate endorsement of the product. Participants consumed a product, “AquaCharge Energy Water,” falsely-labeled as containing 200 mg of caffeine but which was actually plain spring water, in one of three conditions: a no social influence condition, a disconfirming social influence condition, and a confirming social influence condition. Results demonstrated that the effect of the product labeling on physiological alertness (systolic blood pressure), psychological alertness (self-reported alertness), functional alertness (cognitive interference), and product endorsement was moderated by social influence: participants experienced more subjective, physiological and functional alertness and stronger product endorsement when they consumed the product in the confirming social influence condition than when they consumed the product in the disconfirming social influence condition. These results suggest that social influence can alter subjective, physiological, and functional responses to a faux product, in this case transforming the effects of plain water.
High efficiency semipolar III-nitride lasers for solid state lighting

An approach is proposed to lower internal loss and operating voltage in high power CW semipolar III-nitride lasers. Performance was improved after moving to a 2 QW active region, and compensation of the Mg acceptor by oxygen in the EBL was identified as a source of carrier leakage and excess voltage.
Recent Advances in the Realm of Allosteric Modulators for Opioid Receptors for Future Therapeutics.

Opioids, and more specifically μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists such as morphine, have long been clinically used as therapeutics for severe pain states but often come with serious side effects such as addiction and tolerance. Many studies have focused on bringing about analgesia from the MOR with attenuated side effects, but its underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Recently, focus has been geared toward the design and elucidation of the orthosteric site with ligands of various biological profiles and mixed subtype opioid activities and selectivities, but targeting the allosteric site is an area of increasing interest. It has been shown that allosteric modulators play key roles in influencing receptor function such as its tolerance to a ligand and affect downstream pathways. There has been a high variance of chemical structures that provide allosteric modulation at a given receptor, but recent studies and reviews tend to focus on the altered cellular mechanisms instead of providing a more rigorous...
DNA-Carbon Nanotube Complexation Affinity and Photoluminescence Modulation Are Independent.

Short single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) has emerged as the natural polymer of choice for noncovalently functionalizing photoluminescent single-walled carbon nanotubes. In addition, specific empirically identified DNA sequences can be used to separate single species (chiralities) of nanotubes, with an exceptionally high purity. Currently, only limited general principles exist for designing DNA–nanotube hybrids amenable to separation processes, due in part to an incomplete understanding of the fundamental interactions between a DNA sequence and a specific nanotube structure, whereas even less is known in the design of nanotube-based sensors with determined optical properties. We therefore developed a combined experimental and analysis platform on the basis of time-resolved near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy to extract the complete set of photoluminescence parameters that characterizes DNA–nanotube hybrids. Here, we systematically investigated the affinity of the d(GT)n oligonucleotide family for structurally...
Defining Human Capability from Soldier and Task Data

The Soldier-Equipment-Task (SET) Framework identifies the three main components of a soldier system and the relationships between them. The human focused data collected by the Human Viewpoint durin...
A review of operations research models in invasive species management: state of the art, challenges, and future directions

Invasive species are a major threat to the economy, the environment, health, and thus human well-being. The international community, including the United Nations’ Global Invasive Species Program (GISP), National Invasive Species Council (NISC), and Center for Invasive Species Management (CISM), has called for a rapid control of invaders in order to minimize their adverse impacts. The effective management of invasive species is a highly complex problem requiring the development of decision tools that help managers prioritize actions most efficiently by considering corresponding bio-economic costs, impacts on ecosystems, and benefits of control. Operations research methods, such as mathematical programming models, are powerful tools for evaluating different management strategies and providing optimal decisions for allocating limited resources to control invaders. In this paper, we summarize the mathematical models applied to optimize invasive species prevention, surveillance, and control. We first define key concepts in invasive species management (ISM) in a framework that characterizes biological invasions, associated economic and environmental costs, and their management. We then present a spatio-temporal optimization model that illustrates various biological and economic aspects of an ISM problem. Next, we classify the relevant literature with respect to modeling methods: optimal control, stochastic dynamic programming, linear programming, mixed-integer programming, simulation models, and others. We further classify the ISM models with respect to the solution method used, their focus and objectives, and the specific application considered. We discuss limitations of the existing research and provide several directions for further research in optimizing ISM planning. Our review highlights the fact that operations research could play a key role in ISM and environmental decision-making, in particular closing the gap between the decision-support needs of managers and the decision-making tools currently available to management.
Security and privacy issues affecting cloud-based IP camera

Consumers have overwhelmingly adopted the use of Internet of Things (IoT) inside their homes, these devices are connected to the internet sending and receiving data 24/7, a security breach or privacy exposure from one of these devices could lead to more nightmares than horror movies. These have lead us to review the current capabilities of Cloud-Based IP Cameras, its existing security and privacy issues affecting these devices. We present an analysis of the main privacy and security concerns currently affecting thousands of consumers IP Cameras globally, the uncertainty of not knowing what happens to your data when is stored in the Cloud and propose set of recommendations to help protect consumer's IoT devices in the intimacy of their home. Stop those nightmares before they happen because there is no peace of mind knowing an unknown person may be watching your children baby monitor and tracking all your movement inside your home. Although there are still challenges to address, is better to be an educated consumer who knows and understand the risk of these devices and take measures to prevent unwanted exposure.
Using microscope for onco-testicular sperm extraction for bilateral testis tumors

Objective To demonstrate a step-by-step approach to the use of the operating microscope for onco-testicular sperm extraction. Design Video presentation. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) A 34-year-old man (status post right orchiectomy at another institution for pT3 pure seminoma with negative preoperative tumor markers) was referred for contralateral orchiectomy for multifocal left testis mass and fertility preservation. A postoperative semen analysis for attempted cryopreservation of ejaculated semen identified azoospermia. Intervention(s) Left radical orchiectomy, left microsurgical onco-testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Main Outcome Measure(s) Intraoperative technique with commentary highlighting tips for successful fertility preservation via microsurgical onco-TESE. Discussion of alternatives. Result(s) This video provides a step-by-step guide to microsurgical onco-TESE coordinated with radical orchiectomy for testis cancer as a means of fertility preservation in an azoospermic patient. Preoperative imaging with scrotal ultrasound can serve as a useful guide for targeting microdissection to areas of normal testicular parenchyma for extraction of seminiferous tubules likely to host normal spermatogenesis. This patient had successful recovery and cryopreservation of abundant testicular sperm following targeted ex-vivo testicular microdissection. Conclusion(s) Microsurgical onco-TESE may be offered to azoospermic patients when undergoing orchiectomy for testis cancer. Use of preoperative imaging and the surgical microscope guide surgical dissection and optimize sperm recovery.
Differences in Firearm Suicides by Residential Location in Texas, 2006-2015.

This study used Texas state vital statistics records, 2006–2015, to examine firearm use rates among 28,010 suicide decedents by residential location (urbanized vs. all others). Firearms were respon...
GPS time authentication against spoofing via a network of receivers for power systems

Due to the unencrypted structure of civil GPS signals, the timing information supplied to the PMUs in the power grid is vulnerable to spoofing attacks. We propose our GPS time authentication algorithm using a network of widely dispersed static receivers and their known positions. Without requiring the knowledge of the exact P(Y) code sequences, we cross-check for the presence of these encrypted codes across the receivers to detect spoofing attacks. First, we perform pair-wise cross-correlation of the conditioned quadrature-phase, carrier wiped-off incoming signal across the receivers. Later, we utilize position-information aiding to estimate the expected time offset between the received P(Y) codes at different receivers. Thereafter, we authenticate each receiver by analyzing the weighted summation of the pair-wise cross-correlation peak offset and magnitude across the receivers and their common satellites. To validate our networked spoofing detection algorithm, we utilize four GPS receivers located in Idaho, Illinois, Colorado and Ohio. Under the presence of simulated spoofing attacks, namely signal-level spoofing and a record-and-replay attack, we demonstrate that our networked approach successfully detects these spoofing events with high probability.
Informing the Update to the Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline.

Purpose:To systematically review the recent evidence on physical therapy (PT) diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention of congenital muscular torticollis to inform the update to the PT management of congenital muscular torticollis evidence-based clinical practice guideline.Methods:From 2012 to 2017, 7
Branched aldehydes as linchpins for the enantioselective and stereodivergent synthesis of 1,3-aminoalcohols featuring a quaternary stereocentre

The atom-economic conversion of chemical feedstocks into biologically relevant complex molecules in a stereocontrolled fashion remains a continuous challenge to synthetic chemists. In this context, the use of simple ambiphilic starting materials as linchpins allows a bidirectional increase of molecular complexity from widely available precursors. Here, we report the use of branched aldehydes as versatile linchpins for various Zn-ProPhenol-catalysed C–C bond-forming reactions to efficiently construct enantioenriched 1,3-aminoalcohols bearing an acyclic quaternary stereogenic centre. The ability of the Zn-ProPhenol catalyst to selectively activate ambiphilic aldehydes first as nucleophiles for Mannich reactions and then as electrophiles for aldol, Henry and alkyne addition reactions allows for the one-pot synthesis of complex stereotriads from common building blocks. Moreover, this approach can be diastereodivergent by simply selecting the proper catalyst combination. Overall, this catalytic method directly transforms simple and readily available aldehydes into highly functionalized compounds and provides streamlined access to valuable 1,3-aminoalcohols relevant to the synthesis of biologically important molecules. Organic synthesis relies on the ability to convert simple starting materials into compounds with greater molecular complexity. Here, Trost and co-workers use branched aldehydes as nucleophiles for asymmetric Mannich reactions, and the products of these reactions as electrophiles for the addition of a range of carbon nucleophiles. This provides a simple, stereodivergent route to 1,3-aminoalcohols.
Differences between "Normal" and "Neurotic" Perfectionists: Implications for Mental Health Counselors

This study was designed to explore the experiences of two groups of participants who had high scores on the positive dimensions of perfectionism (high standards) but who differed on a measure of worry. From a larger pool, 36 university students were selected based on their scores on the Standards and Order subscale of the Almost Perfect Scale and on the Penn State Worry Scale. Participants responded to open-ended questions eliciting their definitions of perfectionism and their views on its effects on various domains of their lives. Consistent with early theoretical work (e.g., Hamachek, 1978), the results of the study suggest that identified perfectionists may view their perfectionism as positive or negative. The results also suggest that the constructs of standards and order represent the positive dimension and the construct of worry a negative dimension. Discussed are the results and their implications for mental health counseling and further research.
Human Heart Failure: A Mechanistic Assessment of Altered Ventricular Function

Human heart failure is associated with high mortality and morbidity. From a functional viewpoint, the failing heart has low power (rate of doing work) and an inadequate cardiac output to meet the metabolic needs of the periphery. We use myothermal and mechanical techniques on specially prepared thin epicardial muscle strips from nonfailing (coronary bypass surgery) and failing (idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, NYHA IV) human hearts to assess the mechanistic basis for the depressed power and cardiac output. The isometric peak force, rate of force development, and rate of relaxation are reduced to 53%, 49%, and 54%, respectively, in the failing heart while the time to peak tension is increased by 15%. The total activity-related heat, initial heat, tension-dependent heat, tension-independent heat, and tension-independent heat rate were substantially and significantly reduced in the failing preparations. The ratio of total activity-related heat to initial heat is an index of the ability of mitochondria to resynthesize ATP from ADP and is found to be unchanged in the failing myocardium. The amount of calcium cycled per beat and the rate of calcium uptake can be calculated from the tension-independent heat. In the failing myocardium, both of these are reduced to 31% of nonfailing values. The average cross-bridge force time integral can be calculated from the fiber strip force-time integral divided by the number of cross-bridge cycles per half sarcomere per twitch. The latter is obtained from the tension-dependent heat. The average cross-bridge force-time integral is increased by 41% in the failing heart. The depression in isometric force correlates with the decrease in calcium cycled per beat. This in itself contributes to the reduced ventricular performance. Added to that, there is a blunting of the force-frequency relationship and a decrease in the velocity of unloaded shortening. These fundamental changes at the molecular level result in a decrease in power output of the ventricle and ultimately lead to the serious morbid and mortal consequences found in congestive heart failure.