cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isospin splitting of giant E1 excitations in 90Zr

Abstract The radiative proton capture reaction has been used to study the distribution of the E1 strength in 90Zr from Ex = 13.7 to 25.2 MeV. The reaction 89Y(p, γ0)90Zr displays the “normal” T ( a 2 = −0.34) and are consistent with a predominantly d 3 2 p 1 2 1 configuration. Several analogue T> dipole levels are observed superimposed on the broad T E1 levels have been derived from a two-resonance interference analysis and the characteristic dipole enhancement for the highest T> levels is observed. A comparison of the measured and calculated values of {Γ}γo indicates the usual hindrance factor for the low-lying s 1 2 p 1 2 −1 and d 3 2 p 1 2 T> levels. The dominant d above the d 3 2 resonance observed in elastic proton scattering. The integrated 90Zr(γ, p0) strength is separated into its T> and T GDR. The shift of this T GDR's for both γ0 and the γ's leading to excited states are shifted above the corresponding T
A study of detonation diffraction and failure for a model of compressible two-phase reactive flow

A two-phase model of heterogeneous explosives, with a reaction rate that is proportional to the gas-phase pressure excess above an ignition threshold, is examined computationally. The numerical approach, a variant of Godunov's method designed to accommodate nonconservative terms in the hyperbolic model, extends previous work of the authors to two-dimensional configurations. The focus is on the behavior of an established detonation as it rounds a 90° corner and undergoes diffraction. The dependence of the post-diffraction conduct on the reaction rate is explored by varying the reaction-rate prefactor and the ignition threshold. The aim is to determine whether the model, as postulated, can capture dead zones, which are pockets of unreacted or partially reacted explosive observed in the vicinity of the corner in diffraction experiments. Results of this study are compared with those of a similar investigation on the one-phase ignition-and-growth model.
Vector quantization based QoS classification for admission control in CDMA systems

Optimal power control is of great importance for CDMA systems and it can be controlled to provide the desired quality of service (QoS) to mobile hosts in a cellular radio system. The power levels of all the mobile hosts are determined and constantly tuned in order to achieve the required SINR (signal to interference and noise ratio) which changes dynamically. The SINR of all the K mobiles in a cell can be expressed in the form of a k-dimensional vector. It helps determine the operating point of the system and hence it is constantly monitored and updated due to the variability in the wireless channel conditions and user mobility. We view this continuously changing vector as the motion of a point in a higher dimensional Euclidean space, called the QoS space. We apply vector quantization technique to shrink the infinite-point space to a finite-point space by partitioning the former into N regions such that the points within a region reflect almost similar system performance and are identified by what we call a QoS index. We show how the system operating point can be mapped to one of the QoS indices. The location of the point or the region of operability in the QoS space conveys the system status in terms of the current load and the QoS being delivered. The dynamism in the system's input conditions due to wireless link characteristics and user mobility acts like an opposing force against which the system has to operate. The system reacts to all such changes preventing it from going into a region with an undesirable QoS index. We show how the apriori knowledge of the operating region helps in decision making pertaining to call admission and resource allocation in CDMA systems.
INSERTION OF NEW GENETIC INFORMATION INTO BONE MARROW CELLS OF MICE: COMPARISON OF TWO SELECTABLE GENES*

A system for insertion of new genetic information into mouse hematopoietic cells is described. Two selectable genes were examined: herpesvirus thymidine kinase and a mutant mouse dihydrofolate reductase. The DHFR system appears to be superior in terms of the frequency and stability of gene insertion and expression in hematopoietic tissues. About 70% of mice had indirect (karyotypic) evidence of gene insertion; of these, about 60% (three of five) had stable expression of the inserted mutant DHFR. In contrast, only 13% of mice demonstrated stable karyotypic transformation by HSVtk, and of those with stable transformation five of seven showed persistent viral gene sequences in hematopoietic tissues.
Properties of congruences on commutative monoids

The theory of finitely generated commutative monoids has been systematically investigated by L. Redei in [4]. In [3] S. Eilenberg and M. Schutzenberger provided some new concepts and methods for studying properties of congruences and rational sets in commutative monoids. In this paper we derive some more properties of congruences on finitely generated commutative monoids using concepts developed in [3]. There are four sections. Section i reviews some known notions used in this work and contains some simple results on subtractive submonoids. Section 2 provides structural characterizations of congruences. The main result of this section is Theorem 2.6 which states that the spectrum of any congruence on a finitely generated monoid is finite. In Section 3 we introduce ideals defined by a congruence. Section 4 deals with a characterization of presentations of finite commutative monoids.
Improved modeling of the nonlinear B-H curve and its application in power cable analysis

An improved model of the nonlinear B-H curve of ferromagnetic material is introduced. The B-H curve is represented by a Fourier series, based on a set of measurement data. With the Fourier series expression, the magnetic energy density can be calculated and then used in an iterative procedure for determining the permeability everywhere within the ferromagnetic material. To validate the model's accuracy, it is employed, together with the finite-element method, to investigate the zero-sequence impedance of an underground pipe-type cable and the magnetic field in its vicinity. The computational results are compared with the measurement data, and a good agreement is observed.
Reductive metabolism increases the proinflammatory activity of aldehyde phospholipids

The generation of oxidized phospholipids in lipoproteins has been linked to vascular inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions. Products of phospholipid oxidation increase endothelial activation; however, their effects on macrophages are poorly understood, and it is unclear whether these effects are regulated by the biochemical pathways that metabolize oxidized phospholipids. We found that incubation of 1-palmitoyl-2-(5′-oxo-valeroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POVPC) with THP-1-derived macrophages upregulated the expression of cytokine genes, including granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. In these cells, reagent POVPC was either hydrolyzed to lyso-phosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) or reduced to 1-palmitoyl-2-(5-hydroxy-valeroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PHVPC). Treatment with the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, pefabloc, decreased POVPC hydrolysis and increased PHVPC accumulation. Pefabloc also increased the induction of cytokine genes in POVPC-treated cells. In contrast, PHVPC accumulation and cytokine production were decreased upon treatment with the aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor, tolrestat. In comparison with POVPC, lyso-PC led to 2- to 3-fold greater and PHVPC 10- to 100-fold greater induction of cytokine genes. POVPC-induced cytokine gene induction was prevented in bone-marrow derived macrophages from AR-null mice. These results indicate that although hydrolysis is the major pathway of metabolism, reduction further increases the proinflammatory responses to POVPC. Thus, vascular inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions is likely to be regulated by metabolism of phospholipid aldehydes in macrophages.
Katalytische Untersuchungen an Legierungen. XVI. Die Parawasserstoff‐Umwandlung an Kupfer–Nickel‐ und Kupfer–Palladium‐Legierungen

Die katalytische Umwandlung des Parawasserstoffs wird an kompakten Kupfer-Nickel- und Kupfer-Palladium-Legierungen untersucht. Nickel und Palladium sind in bezug auf die Aktivitat und auf die Aktivierungsenergie wesentlich wirksamer als Kupfer, die Wirksamkeit nimmt mit steigendem Kupfergehalt nicht stetig, sondern sprunghaft ab. Das Verhalten der gleichen Legierungskatalysatoren gegenuber der Parawasserstoff-Umwandlung und der Athylenhydrierung ist sehr ahnlich, was auf einen beiden Reaktionen gemeinsamem Primarvorgang (H2-Aktivierung) schliesen last. An CuPd-Legierugen mit geordneter Atomverteilung („Uberstruktur”) verlauft die p-H2-Umwandlung mit niedrigerer Aktivierungsenergie als an den Mischkristallen mit ungeordneter Atomverteilung. Die Ergebnisse werden gemeinsam mit fruheren Ergebnissen im Zusammenhang mit den Elektronenbindungsverhaltnissen in den Legierungen auf der Grundlage der Anschauungen DOWDENS diskutiert.
Do Trading and Power Operations Mix

The author uses the case of Constellation Energy to show the challenges, and pitfalls, of running an energy and power trading unit as a profit center within a large power company. Sophisticated trading and risk management operations do play important supporting roles in power companies that face competitive wholesale markets. The complicated dynamics of power prices and the complex operations of generation assets and supply obligations require careful assessment of risks and returns. Trading operations can help extract more value from physical assets and supply obligations. But problems are bound to arise when companies attempt to manage the trading function as a stand-alone profit center. Determining the amount of capital required for proprietary trading portfolios and other elements of trading businesses is complicated. It is easy to underestimate the capital required and so exaggerate the profitability of trading. When profit center trading operations share a balance sheet with other business units-especially units with physical assets like generation-the natural tendency is for the trading operation to piggyback on the capital of the other units. The actual amount of capital consumed becomes apparent only in times of crisis. We have seen this mistake made repeatedly in the short history of trading operations in U.S. power companies. Only truly independent trading operations, with their own balance sheets, can be evaluated clearly and held accountable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Macromolecular synthesis, differentiation and cell division in Tetrahymena pyriformis mating type I variety 1

In Tetrahymena pyriformis, mating type I, variety 1, cycloheximide rapidly and completely inhibited incorporation of 14C-L-leucine into protein. Actinomycin D (25 μg per ml) inhibited incorporation of 14C-uracil into cold-TCA-insoluble material, after a 5–10 minute lag. Frequently a subsequent decline in the amount of radioactivity was observed. Protein synthesis continued in actinomycintreated cultures for a variable time after cessation of RNA synthesis. Oral development was affected by cycloheximide virtually immediately, and by actinomycin D after a 10–15 minute lag. Cells affected by either drug before the onset of oral membranelle formation were permanently arrested in the stomatogenic field phase. Cells affected in the early and middle stages of membranelle formation completed development of membranelles, but did not invariably complete cell division. Cycloheximide, when added at the beginning of membranelle formation, brought about arrest or resorption of membranelles after they were completed. Actinomycin did not elicit resorption, but sometimes brought about blockage during cell division. Cells affected by either drug after membranelles were fully formed (and cell division was just beginning) completed oral development, nuclear divisions, and cell division. These results suggest that concurrent RNA and protein synthesis are essential for the initiation but not for the completion of membranelle differentiation. The results also suggest that a specific messenger RNA(s) with a very short half-life is required for the synthesis of proteins involved in the initiation of membranelle differentiation.
Top Level SOC Interconnectivity Verification Using Formal Techniques

SOCs are designed by integrating existing in house cores/intellectual properties (IPs), or third party core/IPs provided by external vendors to reduce design turn-around time and cost. The integration process in realizing an SOC implementation consists of several different kinds of integration which can be classified as (1) static or non-functional integration, consisting of simple electrical connections (or hookup) of the inputs and outputs of different IPs, and (2) dynamic, or functional integration, where, besides the pure electrical connectivity, a temporal and a functional dimension needs to be taken into account. Given the size of present generation SOCs there is ample scope of inadvertent design errors being introduced during the integration process. It has been observed in many in-house SOC designs that a large percentage of these errors (80%) are contributed by pure connectivity errors. Severity of implications of some of these errors, are dependent on when they are detected in the design verification cycle, and on how easy it is to correct them in the implementation. In this paper, we present the challenges involved in detecting such integration errors in complex SOCs through the use of formal verification techniques. The main contributions of this work are (1) effective use of formal techniques based on symbolic model checking in the top level verification of SOC integration, (2) effective use of abstraction and modeling of SOC sub-systems in enabling assertion based formal verification, (3) automated generation of assertions and constraints to detect integration errors, (4) automated generation of scripts to capture the SOC design information and invoke a formal verification tool on which to prove the validity or correctness of these assertions, and (5) case studies from different categories of SOC integration to highlight the benefits of the proposed approach. These techniques have been applied to verify different kinds of integration described above in several SOCs designed in Texas Instruments, with promising results.
Sox9 expression marks a subset of CD24-expressing small intestine epithelial stem cells that form organoids in vitro

The inability to identify, isolate, and culture intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs) has been prohibitive to the study and therapeutic utilization of these cells. Using a Sox9EGFP mouse model, ...
Webcasting Pathology Department conferences in a geographically distributed Medical Center

As academic pathology departments have become increasingly based in large, regional medical systems spread across hundreds of square miles, new methods are needed to tie these increasingly distributed departments together as integrated units. An important part of that integration is the ability to share academic and teaching conferences across long distances. In this article we present an effective, low-cost webcasting system that has evolved at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Department of Pathology over the past several years based on inexpensive, widely available software. To date, the system has broadcast and archived more than 400 conferences and currently serves approximately 80 to 100 requests each week. Important factors in the success of the program include the creation of a faculty steering committee to control resources and manage growth, the availability of informatics faculty and support for technical staff, and the decision to operate the service as part of the core information technology infrastructure of the department. Webcasting will likely become an even more important academic and operational tool in the future as more of the department's conferences, seminars, and even working meetings are communicated through the webcasting infrastructure.
Language development in the years before school: a comparison of developmental assets in home and child care settings

In this paper, we examine the influences of two settings—home and child care—on the development of children’s speaking and listening skills before they begin formal schooling. We propose that a developmental assets approach, one that focuses on strengths of these settings, can help our understanding of the development of young children’s language skills and in the enrichment of those skills. In bringing together the research of others as well as our own work, we provide evidence of the contributions of the developmental assets in the home and child care settings alone, as well as combined, to preschool children’s language development. Furthermore, these contributions seem to have long‐term impacts. We conclude by discussing the contributions a developmental assets approach can offer to the study of the language development of young children.
Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) with isolation posts

We report on a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) featuring isolation posts (PostCMUT) to solve a device reliability problem caused by charging during fabrication and operation, and to extend the device operation range beyond collapse voltage. The PostCMUTs were fabricated using a newly developed process based on the wafer-bonding technique. Paired tests showed the superior reliability characteristics of the PostCMUT design compared to those of earlier CMUT designs. The PostCMUTs showed no hysteresis during membrane-post contact.
Effects of Organizational Learning and Knowledge Transfer on Investment Decisions Under Uncertainty

Because uncertainties around innovative technologies resolve over time, investments in such technologies are often made in stages so that organizations can use the knowledge gained from earlier stages to decide the next step. Previous studies usually assume that once some uncertainty is resolved, it becomes common knowledge within the investing organization. We develop a game-theoretical model to study how different parties within an organization gain and transfer knowledge about new technologies while investing in these technologies, and how the learning process may affect the investment decisions. We show that managers with incentives misaligned with the organization may transfer their knowledge untruthfully and distort the learning process of decision makers. Such behavior may lead to inefficient investment decisions. We also study the effect of uncertainty on the misreporting problem and the investment decisions. Mechanisms to mitigate or prevent untruthful knowledge transfer are also proposed. In particular, powerful incentive schemes may alleviate, but not prevent, the misreporting problem; punishing managers who are caught misreporting may deter the misreporting behavior, but in practice such mechanisms are difficult to implement.
A Causal Model of Turnover for Nurses

Longitudinal data on 1,091 registered nurses in seven hospitals were used to estimate a causal model of turnover in organizations. Total effects on turnover were found to be the greatest for four d...
A review of the Blaesiina (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae, Gymnetini)

Th e two genera comprising the subtribe Blaesiina (Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Gymnetini) are reviewed. Each genus contains two species, with Blaesia Burmeister occurring in southern South America and Halff terinetis Moron & Nogueira occurring in northern Mexico. Descriptions, keys, distributions, biology, and illustrations are provided. Th e biogeography of the Blaesiina is discussed with a hypothesis to explain the current disjunct distributions. I provide a new state record for Halff terinetis gonzaloi Moron & Nogueira in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Activation of Human Brown Adipose Tissue by a β3-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist

Summary Increasing energy expenditure through activation of endogenous brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a potential approach to treat obesity and diabetes. The class of β3-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists stimulates rodent BAT, but this activity has never been demonstrated in humans. Here we determined the ability of 200 mg oral mirabegron (Myrbetriq, Astellas Pharma, Inc.), a β3-AR agonist currently approved to treat overactive bladder, to stimulate BAT as compared to placebo. Mirabegron led to higher BAT metabolic activity as measured via 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) using positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) in all twelve healthy male subjects (p = 0.001), and it increased resting metabolic rate (RMR) by 203 ± 40 kcal/day (+13%; p = 0.001). BAT metabolic activity was also a significant predictor of the changes in RMR (p = 0.006). Therefore, a β3-AR agonist can stimulate human BAT thermogenesis and may be a promising treatment for metabolic disease.
Survey of topical oral solutions for the treatment of chemo-induced oral mucositis.

Purpose. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe the usage of topical oral solutions in patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CIOM); and (2) to survey the care of ora...
Degradation of 2,4-D and fluometuron in cover crop residues

Degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was studied in hairy vetch (Viciavillosa Roth) and rye (Secale cereale L.) residues. Transformation offluometuron (1,1-dimetbyl-3-(ct,~ct-triliuoro-m-tolyl)urea)was also evaluated in annual ryegrass (Lolium multiforum Lain.) residues. Microflora associated with herbiddcdesiccated ~ vetch and rye residues were 100-fold or greater than soils. Microbial activity (fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and respiration) were 6-fold or greater in hairy vetch and rye residues than soil. In 14-d studies, 78 to 82% versus 28 to 40% of 14C-carboxyl-labelled 2,4-D and 48 to 60% versus 5 to 17% ofl4C-dng labelled 2,4-D were mineralized in soil and crop residues, respectively. Fhometuron can be degraded by Ndemethylation in ryegrass residues at rates similar to soil, however, high moisture content was required. Degradation ofherbiddes in cover crop residues was most likely due to limited bioavailability rather than biological activity. ©1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Reducing surgical site infections through a multidisciplinary computerized process for preoperative prophylactic antibiotic administration.

Abstract Background Surgical site infections (SSIs) result in significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. Although many of these infections can be prevented by timely administration of preoperative antibiotics, data suggest that many patients do not receive such therapy. Methods A multidisciplinary team was convened that reviewed published guidelines, made antibiotic recommendations, and addressed administration issues. Responsibility for antibiotic administration was shifted from preoperative nursing staff to the anesthetist. Electronic quick orders were developed to encourage appropriate antibiotic selection and simplify order creation. Results Timely administration of preoperative antibiotics improved from 51% to 98% from February 2005 to February 2006. Appropriate antibiotic administered improved from 78% to 94%. The clean wound infection rate decreased from 2.7% to 1.4% over the same time period. Conclusion A multidisciplinary approach to prophylactic antibiotic use, including computer-guided decision support, facilitates appropriate preoperative antibiotic use, resulting in a significant decrease in surgical wound infections.
Hepatic Necrosis Due to Bromobenzene and its Dependence upon Available Sulfur Amino Acids.

SummaryIntraperitoneal administration of bromobenzene produces acute centrolobular hepatic necrosis, its severity depending on the preceding protein depletion. Methionine and cysteine given prior to bromobenzene administration prevent the lesion. The lesion is an example of interlocked toxicity and deficiency effect; since bromobenzene drains sulfur amino acid from the body.
Adapting an Evidence-Based HIV-Prevention Intervention for Women in Domestic Violence Shelters.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the documented intersection of intimate partner violence and HIV, there is a paucity of evidence-based HIV prevention interventions for female survivors of intimate partner violence in the United States. This paper describes the adaptation of an effective HIV prevention intervention, Sisters Informing Sisters about Topics on AIDS (SISTA), for women in domestic violence shelters and the steps taken to improve the adapted intervention's implementation. METHOD: The adaptation process was guided by the ADAPT-ITT framework and data collected from directors, direct client service providers, and residents of two domestic violence shelters located in urban areas, as well as topical experts. RESULTS: Eleven of 12 shelter staff (92%) reported that HIV interventions had never been implemented at their shelter and 64% reported they had not provided residents with educational brochures about HIV prevention. Changes made to adapt SISTA for this population and enhance the implementation of the intervention included reducing the intervention's duration; adding education about the intersection of intimate partner violence, substance use, and HIV; and adding an HIV risk assessment and safety plan. CONCLUSIONS: Next steps will include implementing the adapted intervention and evaluating its perceived acceptability and efficacy, and assessing whether contextual factors influence the intervention's implementation. Language: en
Remotely Acquired Human Signatures for Tactical Biometrics and Medical Diagnosis

The Modeling and Simulation Division at the U.S. Army’s RDECOM CERDEC Night Vision Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) is exploring ways to exploit human signatures for both tactical and medical applications. The current operating environment that the Army faces is characterized by uncertainty and surprise, with threats coming from increasingly non-traditional sources. Tactically relevant biometrics needs to be conducted at longer ranges, at night, and in degraded environments. In this work we discuss some of the challenges and potential solutions to conducting human identification and recognition in non-ideal conditions. In addition, the asymmetric nature of warfare has also led to a need for novel medical diagnostic tools. We discuss ways that EO/IR sensors could be used for remote triage and in the diagnosis and treatment of mTBI and PTSD. The ultimate goal of our work is to look at novel applications that utilize existing sensors in order to provide our Soldiers with the tools they need to best accomplish their mission, and when home, have the best medical care possible.
Design of shRNA and miRNA for Delivery to the CNS

Neurologic diseases tend to target various areas of the central nervous system (CNS) and can therefore result in paralysis, dementia, and death. Neurodegenerative diseases distinguish themselves from other diseases by affecting nerve cells, which unlike many other cells in our body cannot regenerate when severely injured. The discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) has enabled scientist to design new therapeutic approaches based on specific gene silencing rather than the canonical gene therapy through gene augmentation. Two types of molecules can be used for viral vector-mediated gene silencing: short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and artificial microRNAs (miRNAs) that have the ability to enter the RNAi pathway. Although both shRNAs and miRNAs can be used to silence genes, they enter the RNAi pathway at different points. Unlike shRNAs, miRNAs require an additional cleavage step inside the nucleus before being exported to the cytoplasm. These molecules can then be incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) which utilizes sequence complementarity to recognize target mRNAs and activate either translational repression, in the case of partial complementarity, or induce mRNA cleavage in the case of complete complementarity. Elevated amounts of shRNAs, which are commonly driven by strong polymerase III promoters, can cause saturation of the endogenous RNAi machinery due to competition between endogenous and artificial molecules. Switching to a DNA polymerase II promoter is an alternative to reduce shRNA production, thereby reducing toxicity. Even though the molecules are designed to target specific mRNAs there may be off-target effects due to nonspecific binding that must be accounted for during the design process. In this chapter we discuss the design and in vitro screening of shRNAs and artificial miRNAs.
Phenotypic analysis of early hematopoietic progenitors in cord blood and determination of their correlation with clonogenic progenitors: relevance to cord blood stem cell transplantation.

Human cord blood (CB) can be utilized as a source of transplantable stem cells. In the clinical setting, the numbers of clonogenic progenitors and nucleated cells are used as indirect measures of the stem cell content of CB samples. In an attempt to define other parameters of engraftment potential, we have determined the numbers of CD34 + cells, and of CD34 + cells co-expressing CD38 and/or HLA-DR in 17 CB samples. At the same time, clonogenic progenitors were assayed in the presence of erythropoietin and different combinations of rhIL-3, rhG-CSF, rhGM-CSF, rh-Steel Factor and medium conditioned by the PU34 primate cell line. Unseparated CB contained a mean of 14.8×10 4 CD34 + cells/mL. CD34 + CD38 - , CD34 + DR + and CD34 + DR + CD38 - cells represented 12.2%, 91% and 10% of all CD34 + cells, respectively. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that the total number of CD34 + cells, as well as the different subsets, correlated positively with the numbers of total colonies and day 14 CFU-GM. Furthermore, the proportion of CD34 + CD38 - cells was significantly higher than has been reported for adult marrow. Cord blood CD34 + CD38 - and CD34 + DR + cells have a high proliferative potential and are enriched for primitive hematopoietic progenitors. Thus, we conclude that a single collection of CB could be sufficient to engraft an adult recipient, and that quantitation of CD34 + cells and their subsets may be useful in determining the engraftment potential of CB samples
Computation of Free Energies of Cubic Bicontinuous Phases for Blends of Diblock Copolymer and Selective Homopolymer

Cubic bicontinuous phases like the double gyroid (G), double diamond (D), and plumber’s nightmare (P) are of great practical interest for many emerging applications requiring highly regular nanoscale networks or porous materials. Such phases can be formed from A–B diblock copolymers by the addition of A-type homopolymer over a range of compositions and relative chain lengths. Particle-based molecular simulations were used to delineate the phase diagram in a region where self-consistent field theory predicts the presence of a G–D–P triple point. Since the simulation box size must be commensurate with the morphology-specific 3D unit cell size (which is not known a priori), accurate free energy estimates are required for a range of box sizes, particularly when multiple competing phases can occur at the conditions of interest. A variant of thermodynamic integration was implemented to obtain such free energies (and hence identify the stable phases and their optimal box sizes) by tracing a reversible path conne...
Wastewater Treatment/Reuse in Rural Areas

Proper hygiene leading to good health, in urban as well as rural communities, requires that the consumption of drinking water is raised to acceptable levels (UN organizations put it at 40 liters/cap/day). The increase of water availability necessitates the provision of sewage drainage facilities. Urban areas are normally provided with sewerage schemes (sewer lines, treatment plants, etc.). However, it is unrealistic and not cost feasible to construct such sophisticated systems in villages. This is due to limited resources of public funds available to the responsible government agencies. In rural areas, the provision of utilities to drain sewage in a safe way lags behind the provision of water for household activities, including drinking water. This creates severe contamination to the environment of the various villages and reduces the impact of water on the improvement of health. An appropriate wastewater treatment/reuse system, called the Subsurface Drainage Technique (SDT), is described here which was successfully applied, by Save the Children/USA, in several villages on the Israeli Occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. The system is applicable for individual households with land available in their immediate vicinity. It consists of a watertight septic tank, where primary treatment occurred, followed by a subsurface drainage field in which the secondary treatment took place. The treated wastewater in the drainage field allowed indirect irrigation (below ground level) for surface plants. Local materials were adopted for the construction of the SDT. Villagers themselves were trained to build the various units and therefore were able to maintain their efficient performance. Ongoing monitoring of the plants grown in the drainage field and the testing for bacteriological contamination ensures the safe performance of the technology.
Evaluating the performance of infectious disease forecasts: A comparison of climate-driven and seasonal dengue forecasts for Mexico

Dengue viruses, which infect millions of people per year worldwide, cause large epidemics that strain healthcare systems. Despite diverse efforts to develop forecasting tools including autoregressive time series, climate-driven statistical, and mechanistic biological models, little work has been done to understand the contribution of different components to improved prediction. We developed a framework to assess and compare dengue forecasts produced from different types of models and evaluated the performance of seasonal autoregressive models with and without climate variables for forecasting dengue incidence in Mexico. Climate data did not significantly improve the predictive power of seasonal autoregressive models. Short-term and seasonal autocorrelation were key to improving short-term and long-term forecasts, respectively. Seasonal autoregressive models captured a substantial amount of dengue variability, but better models are needed to improve dengue forecasting. This framework contributes to the sparse literature of infectious disease prediction model evaluation, using state-of-the-art validation techniques such as out-of-sample testing and comparison to an appropriate reference model.
Effects of two utility-scale solar energy plants on land-cover patterns using SMA of Thematic Mapper data

Abstract Due to depleting fossil fuels, many nations are adding renewable resources – such as geothermal, wind, and solar energy – to their energy portfolios. The southwestern United States counts as one of the best places in the world to collect solar energy, and already, Nevada is harnessing the sun's energy on a large scale. Depending on the size and type of the installation and location, there can be various environmental implications due to changes in the land cover, and sometimes these are potentially negative implications. This study was conducted at two utility-scale solar energy (USSE) plants in Nevada, Nevada Solar One and the Nellis Solar Power Plant. First, the environmental effects of USSE are reviewed. Second, changes in land cover were analyzed for pre-installation, syn-installation, and post-installation from 2004 to 2011. A time series of Landsat 5 Thematic Mapping (TM) images were used with principal component analysis (PCA), minimum noise fraction (MNF), and spectral mixture analysis (SMA) to estimate the subpixel fraction of each pixel covered by a four-endmember model: high-albedo, low-albedo, shadow, and vegetation. Results showed that PCA-Normalized data had the highest correlation coefficients, which indicates that solar plant construction had no significant effect on the land-cover fraction in the surrounding area of the facilities. On the other hand, results of land-cover analysis of the points located within the facilities showed that the low-albedo fraction increased and the high-albedo fraction decreased after construction. The shadow fraction decreased slightly after construction, and the fraction of vegetation was close to zero before and after construction; this was due to the plants being constructed in an arid area. This study indicated that except for the long-term effects of USSE plants, land-cover patterns in the case of high-albedo, low-albedo, shadow, and vegetation altered significantly inside plant areas and did not alter outside.
The creative fire: An interactional framework for rural arts-based development

The research literature suggests that arts-based development, and rural entrepreneurship, have the potential to strengthen interactional networks that foster civic engagement, sense of community, entrepreneurship, and creative transformation. Arts business incubators, festivals, and community arts venues also present opportunities to enable collaborative network interactions that can build community capacity and support an inclusive community field. This article reviews research and case study literature to present a preliminary conceptual framework for considering the conditions that facilitate community-embedded arts-based development in rural areas—sparking a creative fire. These conditions are categorized under the community creative context, the entrepreneurial context, and the network/interactional context.
The effect of dehydration on the metabolic rate and locomotor performance of two species of tree frogs found in Southern California (Pseudacris regilla and P. cadaverina)

Pacific tree frogs (Psedacris regilla) and California tree frogs (P. cadaverina), native to Southern California, have adapted to frequent periods of drought. These tree frogs show both behavioral a...
New Therapeutic Strategies in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Most drugs used in standard regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were developed more than 30 years ago. Since that time, several new drugs have been developed and incorporated into ALL treatment. In spite of this, novel therapeutic approaches are still needed to improve outcomes for high-risk or relapsed ALL. This manuscript discusses newer treatment strategies, including purine nucleoside analogs, monoclonal antibodies, antibody drug conjugates, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, hypomethylating agents, spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) inhibitors, anti-programmed cell death protein (anti-PD-1) antibodies, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors, CXCR4 antagonists, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors. Additionally, this manuscript discusses the impact of diagnostic approaches on management of ALL. Specifically, minimal residual disease is increasingly felt to be important and will likely dramatically impact the care of ALL patients in the near future.
Collusion/Competition: A New Learning?

Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Matsushita, various U.S. district courts have issued a series of rulings that appear to constitute a new learning on the economics of collusive behavior...
Crystal Structure of Entamoeba histolytica Cdc45 Suggests a Conformational Switch that May Regulate DNA Replication.

Cdc45 plays a critical role at the core of the eukaryotic DNA replisome, serving as an essential scaffolding component of the replicative helicase holoenzyme Cdc45-MCM-GINS (CMG) complex. A 1.66-A-resolution crystal structure of the full-length Cdc45 protein from Entamoeba histolytica shows a protein fold similar to that observed previously for human Cdc45 in its active conformation, featuring the overall disk-like monomer shape and intimate contacts between the N- and C-terminal DHH domains. However, the E. histolytica Cdc45 structure shows several unique features, including a distinct orientation of the C-terminal DHHA1 domain, concomitant disordering of the adjacent protruding α-helical segment implicated in DNA polymerase e interactions, and a unique conformation of the GINS/Mcm5-binding loop. These structural observations collectively suggest the possibility that Cdc45 can sample multiple conformations corresponding to different functional states. We propose that such conformational switch of Cdc45 may allow regulation of protein-protein interactions important in DNA replication.
Mouse Lactoferrin Gene

Expression of the lactoferrin gene in a variety of tissues is regulated differentially. We have previously demonstrated that the lactoferrin gene is regulated by estrogen and mitogen in mouse uterus. The mouse lactoferrin gene responded to forskolin, cAMP, TPA and EGF stimulation via two adjacent enhancer elements, the CRE and EGFRE and collectively referred to as the Mitogen Response Unit (MRU). We found that CRE is responsible for forskolin, cAMP and TPA whereas EGFRE is for EGF stimulation. We examined the minimal promoter and enhancer elements of the mouse lactoferrin gene that are required for EGF induced transcriptional activation. We found that the CRE and noncanonical TATA box (ATAAA) are the minimal promoter elements for basal activity of the CAT reporter construct, whereas, the EGFRE is needed for an additional activity induced by EGF in transiently transfected human endometrial carcinoma RL95-2 cells (RL95-2). The EGFRE, however, did not function in heterologous promoters (SV 40 and TK). Therefore, EGFstimulated lactoferrin gene activity is promoter specific in RL95-2 cells. Mutation made at either elements or insertion of extra nucleotides between the two elements, severely affected EGF-stimulated activity. Nuclear protein prepared from RL95-2 cells protected the EGFRE, CRE and noncanonical TATA from DNAase I digestion in a footprinting analysis. Nuclear protein which interacted with the CRE were previously identified as AP 1 and CREB. In this study, we isolated a cDNA clone from an RL95-2 expression library that encodes the EGFRE binding protein. Partial sequence of the cDNA clone revealed 100% nucleotide identity with a GC-box binding protein, BTEB2. Protein-protein interaction among the transcription factors could fine-tune the mouse lactoferrin expression in various tissues.
The Third Stage of Labour in the Extremely Obese Parturient.

Abstract Background Maternal obesity has been associated with an increased risk for an abnormal progression of labour; however, less is known about the length of the third stage of labour and its relation to maternal obesity. Objective To determine if the length of the third stage of labour is increased in extremely obese women and its possible correlation with an increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of deliveries from January 2008 to December 2015 at our university hospital. Women with a BMI ≥40 and a vaginal delivery were compared with the next vaginal delivery of a woman with a BMI Results Subjects in the extreme obese group were more likely to be African American, older, diabetic (pregestational and gestational), hypertensive, pre-eclamptic, had a preterm delivery, and underwent an induction of labour. The overall length of the third stage of labour was significantly longer in the extreme obese group, 5 minutes (3, 8 [25th and 75th percentiles]) compared with 4 minutes (3,7) (P = 0.0374) in the non-obese group. Postpartum hemorrhage occurred more often in the extreme obese group (N = 16/147; 11%) compared with the non-obese group (N = 5/157; 3%) (P = 0.01). There were no differences between groups in respect to the following: gravidity, parity, length of the second stage of labour, birth weight, GA at delivery, Apgar score, cord blood gases, hematocrit change, need for postpartum transfusion, operative delivery, and development of chorioamnionitis. After an adjustment for ethnicity, maternal age, diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labour, hypertension, and induction/augmentation, the analysis failed to show a significant difference in estimated blood loss and postpartum hemorrhage between the groups. Conclusions The length of the third stage of labour is longer in the extreme obese parturient. Postpartum hemorrhage also occurs more often, but after adjustments for confounding variables, it is no longer significant.
Evaluation and integration of neural-network training techniques for continuous digit recognition.

This paper describes a set of experiments on neural-network training and search techniques that, when combined, have resulted in a 54% reduction in error on the continuous digits recognition task. The best system had word-level accuracy of 97.52% on a test set of the OGI 30K Numbers corpus, which contains naturally-produced continuous digit strings recorded over telephone channels. Experiments investigated effects of the feature set, the amount of data used for training, the type of context-dependent categories to be recognized, the values for duration limits, and the type of grammar. The experiments indicate that the grammar and duration limits had a greater effect on recognition accuracy than the output categories, cepstral features, or a 50% increase in the amount of training data.
Exploring Perceptions of Palliative Care Among Rural Dwelling Providers, Nurses, and Adults Using a Convergent Parallel Design

Purpose: To explore the palliative care perceptions of rural dwelling providers, nurses, and adults and, to explore the relationship between the knowledge and perceptions of palliative care held by rural providers and nurses, using a convergent parallel design. Sample: Qualitative (n = 25), Quantitative (n = 51) Methods: The setting was a geographically defined rural area of 8,500 square miles. Following institutional review board approval, providers (n = 5), nurses (n = 7), and adults (n = 13), completed a demographic survey and audio-recorded, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis following a loosely grounded theory approach that was comprised of multiple rounds of coding assisted by qualitative analysis software. Survey packets were delivered to 19 healthcare organizations in the same geographic study area; 51 participants (providers, n = 7; nurses, n = 44) completed a demographic survey and the 20-item Palliative Care Knowledge Test (PCKT). Both qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed separately before merging and comparing the results in a final analysis. Results: Six themes were identified: Palliative care offers comfort for the dying or end-of-life care; Palliative care? Never heard of it; Uncertainty about the differences between palliative care and hospice; Conflicts between theory and practice; Timing is everything; and Experience is a strong teacher. PCKT total scores for the sample of providers and nurses (n = 51) was 10.73 (SD 2.93) which suggested poor palliative care knowledge. After merging the results, the final analysis indicated convergence. Two constructs, Maturity and Rural Investment, were identified. Conclusion: Providers and nurses in rural areas are experienced, having lived and practiced in rural areas for a considerable time; supporting the constructs of Maturity and Rural Investment. Misperceptions and poor knowledge related to palliative care likely prevent the broader application of palliative care in rural areas. Keywords: palliative care, rural, providers, nurses, perceptions, convergent parallel design DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v18i2.527
Identification and characterization of Septoria steviae as the causal agent of Septoria leaf spot disease of stevia in North Carolina.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is an emerging perennial crop in the southeastern United States. A Septoria leaf spot disease of stevia was first identified on field plantings in Japan in 1978. ...