cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radial and Spiral Stream Formation in Proteus mirabilis Colonies

The enteric bacterium Proteus mirabilis, which is a pathogen that forms biofilms in vivo, can swarm over hard surfaces and form a variety of spatial patterns in colonies. Colony formation involves two distinct cell types: swarmer cells that dominate near the surface and the leading edge, and swimmer cells that prefer a less viscous medium, but the mechanisms underlying pattern formation are not understood. New experimental investigations reported here show that swimmer cells in the center of the colony stream inward toward the inoculation site and in the process form many complex patterns, including radial and spiral streams, in addition to previously-reported concentric rings. These new observations suggest that swimmers are motile and that indirect interactions between them are essential in the pattern formation. To explain these observations we develop a hybrid model comprising cell-based and continuum components that incorporates a chemotactic response of swimmers to a chemical they produce. The model predicts that formation of radial streams can be explained as the modulation of the local attractant concentration by the cells, and that the chirality of the spiral streams results from a swimming bias of the cells near the surface of the substrate. The spatial patterns generated from the model are in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations.
The role of ultrasound in prenatal detection of chromosomal abnormalities

Fetal aneuploidy is the leading cause of pregnancy loss. At least 95% of chromosomally abnormal conceptions are lost before term. Over the years, it has become common to offer genetic amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling to all women who have increased risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities. However, due to its invasive nature and associated risks, the practice of offering routine invasive testing to all high-risk pregnant women has been challenged. Owing to evolving improvement in high-quality sonographic imaging, it has become apparent that many chromosomal abnormalities that are associated with fetal structural abnormalities or aneuploidy markers are capable of being detected by ultrasound. Since fetuses with trisomies 18 and 13 have many major structural abnormalities, ultrasound has a high sensitivity for detecting them. On the other hand, over the years, investigators have been looking for sonographic markers to increase the detection rate for Down syndrome on prenatal sonography. This has le...
Molecular Systematics of Nuclear Gene period in Genus Anastrepha (Tephritidae)

The nuclear gene period is used to reconstruct the phylogeny of Anastrepha, a genus of tephritid fruit flies. Specifically, a region of period termed C3C5 that is located in the dCLK:CYC inhibition domain (CCID) is analyzed. This is the first study using this C-terminal region of the period gene for phylogenetics. Variation in the gene is informative for this genus, and period trees are compared with phylogenies based on mitochondrial and morphological data sets. In general, branches that are supported in the other data sets are recovered in the period tree; moreover, trees built using the period gene support branching patterns previously unresolved with 16S rRNA gene data. Important relationships recovered in the period gene tree include a paraphyletic placement of Anastrepha with respect to Toxotrypana, support for the separation of Anastrepha species groups into two evolutionary sections (with the exception of the pseudoparallela species group), and evidence that several species groups are not monophyletic.
A statistical mechanical approach to systems analysis

The maximum entropy principle is used as the criterion for calculating the equilibrium state probabilities of a queuing or network system in which service rates are exponentially distributed. A configuration-independent partition function is given as the solution to this network problem; from this function the important properties of the system may be derived. Simple and well known examples are used to illustrate the method. A phenomenon similar to the phase transition of statistical mechanics is observed in a queuing model.
Density-functional study of homogeneous bubble nucleation in the stretched Lennard-Jones fluid

Density-functional theory is used to study homogeneous bubble nucleation in the stretched Lennard-Jones liquid. We show that the ratio of density-functional to classical nucleation theory free energy barriers should scale with the quantity Δμ/Δμspin, the difference in chemical potential between the bulk superheated and the saturated liquid divided by the chemical potential difference between the liquid spinodal and the saturated liquid. The critical bubble changes from classical near coexistence (sharp interface, uniform density that decreases with penetration into the coexistence region) to nonclassical beyond Δμ/Δμspin≈0.5 (diffuse interface, increasing density with increasing penetration into the metastable region). The density at the center of the bubble, the mean bubble density, the bubble size, the interfacial thickness, and the free energy cost of forming a critical bubble all scale with Δμ/Δμspin in temperature-independent fashion. This precise measure of the degree of metastability should emerge ...
STUDIES OF EXCITABLE MEMBRANES: I. Macromolecular Specializations of the Neuromuscular Junction and the Nonjunctional Sarcolemma

The neuromuscular junctions and nonjunctional sarcolemmas of mammalian skeletal muscle fibers were studied by conventional thin-section electron microscopy and freeze-fracture techniques. A modified acetylcholinesterase staining procedure that is compatible with light microscopy, conventional thin-section electron microscopy, and freeze-fracture techniques is described. Freeze-fracture replicas were utilized to visualize the internal macromolecular architecture of the nerve terminal membrane, the chemically excitable neuromuscular junction postsynaptic folds, and the electrically excitable nonjunctional sarcolemma. The nerve terminal membrane is characterized by two parallel rows of 100–110-A particles which may be associated with synpatic vesicle fusion and release. On the postsynpatic folds, irregular rows of densely packed 110–140-A particles were observed and evidence is assembled which indicates that these large transmembrane macromolecules may represent the morphological correlate for functional acetylcholine receptor activity in mammalian motor endplates. Differences in the size and distribution of particles in mammalian as compared with amphibian and fish postsynaptic junctional membranes are correlated with current biochemical and electron micrograph autoradiographic data. Orthogonal arrays of 60-A particles were observed in the split postsynaptic sarcolemmas of many diaphragm myofibers. On the basis of differences in the number and distribution of these "square" arrays within the sarcolemmas, two classes of fibers were identified in the diaphragm. Subsequent confirmation of the fiber types as fast- and slow-twitch fibers (Ellisman et al. 1974. J. Cell Biol. 63[2, Pt. 2]:93 a. [Abstr.]) may indicate a possible role for the square arrays in the electrogenic mechanism. Experiments in progress involving specific labeling techniques are expected to permit positive identification of many of these intriguing transmembrane macromolecules.
The Relationship among State Laws, District Policies, and Elementary School-Based Measurement of Children's Body Mass Index.

BACKGROUND: School-based measurement of children’s body mass index (BMI) is a useful tool for tracking childhood obesity rates, and may be an effective intervention strategy for reducing the increasing trends in obesity. This article examines the relationship between state law, district policy, and school-level BMI measurement practices. METHODS: Data were collected during 3 school years (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009) as part of an annual study on health policies and practices in a nationally representative sample of US public elementary schools. Data collected included school-level data via a mailed questionnaire, and district-level policies and state laws from publicly available sources. We examined whether state laws and district policies were linked to school-level BMI measurement, either directly, or via a mediation effect. RESULTS: Schools were most likely to measure student BMI if there was a state law in place (65.0% of schools) than where there was not a state law regarding BMI measurement (38.4% of schools; χ 2 = 120.91, p <. 001). However, school-level BMI measurement did not differ by whether the district had a relevant policy or not (49.8% vs. 49.2%, ns). These effects held up in multivariate logistic regression models controlling for relevant school-level covariates (region, race/ethnicity, location, school size, and socioeconomic status). Schools in the south and those with a majority of White students were most likely to measure students’ BMI.
Fast Sterility Assessment by Germinable-Endospore Biodosimetry†

The increased demand for sterile products has created the need for rapid technologies capable of validating the hygiene of industrial production processes. Bacillus endospores are in standard use as biological indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of sterilization processes. Currently, culture-based methods, requiring more than 2 days before results become available, are employed to verify endospore inactivation. We describe a rapid, microscopy-based endospore viability assay (microEVA) capable of enumerating germinable endospores in less than 15 min. MicroEVA employs time-gated luminescence microscopy to enumerate single germinable endospores via terbium-dipicolinate (Tb-DPA) luminescence, which is triggered under UV excitation as 10(8) DPA molecules are released during germination on agarose containing Tb(3+) and a germinant (e.g., L-alanine). Inactivation of endospore populations to sterility was monitored with microEVA as a function of thermal and UV dosage. A comparison of culturing results yielded nearly identical decimal reduction values, thus validating microEVA as a rapid biodosimetry method for monitoring sterilization processes. The simple Tb-DPA chemical test for germinability is envisioned to enable fully automated instrumentation for in-line monitoring of hygiene in industrial production processes.
Personality Typology in Relation to Muscle Strength

Physical inactivity plays a central role in the age-related decline in muscle strength, an important component in the process leading to disability. Personality, a significant determinant of health behaviors including physical activity, could therefore impact muscle strength throughout adulthood and affect the rate of muscle strength decline with aging. Personality typologies combining “high neuroticism” (N ≥ 55), “low extraversion” (E < 45), and “low conscientiousness” (C < 45) have been associated with multiple risky health behaviors but have not been investigated with regards to muscle strength. The purpose of this study is to investigate associations between individual and combined typologies consisting of high N, low E, and low C and muscle strength, and whether physical activity and body mass index act as mediators. This cross-sectional study includes 1,220 participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. High N was found among 18%, low E among 31%, and low C among 26% of the sample. High levels of N, particularly when combined with either low E or low C, were associated with lower muscle strength compared with having only one or none of these personality types. Facet analyses suggest an important role for the N components of depression and hostility. Physical activity level appears to partly explain some of these associations. Findings provide support for the notion that the typological approach to personality may be useful in identifying specific personality types at risk of low muscle strength and offer the possibility for more targeted prevention and intervention programs.
Three‐dimensional arbitrary trajectory scanning photoacoustic microscopy

We have enhanced photoacoustic microscopy with three-dimensional arbitrary trajectory (3-DAT) scanning, which can rapidly image selected vessels over a large field of view (FOV) and maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) despite the depth variation of the vessels. We showed that hemoglobin oxygen saturation (sO_2) and blood flow can be measured simultaneously in a mouse ear in vivo at a frame rate 67 times greater than that of a traditional two-dimensional raster scan. We also observed sO_2 dynamics in response to switching from systemic hypoxia to hyperoxia.
Adipose Tissue-Derived Factors: Impact on Health and Disease

The endocrine functions of the adipose organ are widely studied at this stage. The adipose organ, and in particular adipocytes, communicate with almost all other organs. Although some adipose tissue pads assume the functions as distinct "miniorgans," adipocytes can also be present in smaller numbers interspersed with other cell types. Although fat pads have the potential to have a significant systemic impact, adipocytes may also affect neighboring tissues through paracrine interactions. These local or systemic effects are mediated through lipid and protein factors. The protein factors are commonly referred to as adipokines. Their expression and posttranslational modifications can undergo dramatic changes under different metabolic conditions. Due to the fact that none of the mutations that affect adipose tissue trigger embryonic lethality, the study of adipose tissue physiology lends itself to genetic analysis in mice. In fact, life in the complete absence of adipose tissue is possible in a laboratory setting, making even the most extreme adipose tissue phenotypes genetically amenable to be analyzed by disruption of specific genes or overexpression of others. Here, we briefly discuss some basic aspects of adipocyte physiology and the systemic impact of adipocyte-derived factors on energy homeostasis.
The Better Future International's Family Care Model: Using Focus Group Discussions for Program Evaluation

While HIV/AIDS has had a devastating impact across the globe, its impact has been particularly disastrous for those living in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. Better Future International, a unique program serving HIV/AIDS-related orphaned children, is a collaboration between a local nongovernment organization and a U.S.-based organization providing comprehensive health care, educational, social, and food support to orphaned children and their kinship caregivers. This article is a follow-up to the description of the program model initially published in this journal in 2010. The authors present the findings of an evaluation of the perceived impact of the program model on the lives and well-being of its consumers, viz., the grandparents and the children they care for. Implications for replication, practice, and policy are illustrated.
New Insulin Glargine 300 U/mL for the Treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: To describe the studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of new insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) as a basal insulin in the treatment of type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE was conducted (January 2008-June 2015) using the terms U300, Gla-300, and insulin glargine 300 units/mL and supplemented with congress abstracts published in 2014 and 2015. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English language studies assessing the efficacy and/or safety of Gla-300 were evaluated. Data Synthesis: The efficacy and safety of once-daily Gla-300 has been compared with insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) in the EDITION trials, 6 phase-3, multinational, open-label studies in T1DM and T2DM. Across these studies, Gla-300 consistently demonstrated glycemic control comparable to Gla-100; a mean (standard error) change in glycated hemoglobin A1c of −1.02% (0.03) with both Gla-100 (n = 1235) and Gla-300 (n = 1239) was seen in a patient-level meta-analys...
Synthesis of chiral 13C,77Se-labeled selones.

Stable isotope-labeled N-acyl selones have been constructed in fewer than four steps from readily available starting materials. Site-specific labeling was achieved using the following synthons: bromo[2-13C]acetic acid, [13C]formic acid, and elemental 77Se. These labeled selones have been found to provide unique insights into enolate structure and may be useful in the detection and quantitation of remotely disposed chiral centers in compounds in short supply.
Petro-Elastic Facies Classification in the Marcellus Shale by Applying Expectation Maximization to Measured Well Logs

Summary A new methodology for a log-based facies classification using a statistical algorithm, Expectation Maximization, is proposed to classify lithologic-facies utilizing commonly available wireline logs. This method was tested in the Marcellus Shale, an unconventional reservoir located in the Appalachian Basin of eastern North America. The method relies on Gaussian mixture models with the assumption that each facies has a unique Gaussian distribution of petroelastic properties. The technique was checked against mud logs, well log interpretations, and regional stratigraphy for accuracy and produced promising results.
The Space Race: Black Attachments Changes and the Geographic Inequalities of Black Politics

The central research question of this paper is if and how an individual’s conception of what constitutes her “community,” as in her primary social or group identity, is increasingly independent of the geographic “neighborhood” in which she resides? If so, how might such shifts affect her social capital and her capacity to trust and agree with her neighbors that collective action – political action – is necessary to the well-being of her “community” and/or “neighborhood”? We center our analysis within urban politics and African American politics because we believe there are fundamental ways in which local black class politics and the politics of what has been called the “black urban regime” are both inhibitors of greater neighborhood attachments and in turn affect the ability of these attachments to motivate grassroots engagement in local problems (Shaw et al. 2013; King et al. 2010; Shaw 2009). We analyze the results of an on-line survey of 504 self-identified black persons in the Atlanta metropolitan area including an unique measure we call “Place-Scale Linked Fate” and draw conclusions about the ways in which space and place matter in local black politics.
Polymer-Supported Aminomethylphosphinate as a Ligand with a High Affinity for U(VI) from Phosphoric Acid Solutions: Combining Variables to Optimize Ligand–Ion Communication

ABSTRACTAminomethylphosphinic acid (AMPA) is immobilized onto cross-linked polystyrene beads and found to have a high affinity for the uranyl ion, especially from solutions as acidic as 6 M H3PO4. The trend in uranyl affinity by different ligands is AMPA > phosphinic > phosphonic > sulfonic. For example, the percent sorbed from 6 M H3PO4 is 89.5% (AMPA), 44.8% (phosphinic), 5.38% (phosphonic), and 2.60% (sulfonic). The high affinity shown by AMPA is due to the decreased hydrogen bonding in the phosphinic acid ligand as well as synergistic coordination of the uranyl ion by a proximate P=O of a second phosphinate ligand. AMPA contacted with synthetic wet process phosphoric acid solution sorbed 72.2% uranium compared to 0.14% for a commercially available sulfonic acid.
Theory for In-Situ Thermal Diffusivity Measurement of Thin Films by a Radial Heat Flow Method

Because of physical limitations of some materials which are used for thin films (such as thickness, stress tolerance and strength) it is sometimes advantageous to measure their thermal diffusivity after they have been deposited on a substrate, i.e. in—situ. Larson and Koyama** have proposed a method for in—situ thermal diffusivity measurement of thin films. Their method is an extension of the standard pulse method to a two—layer composite, i.e. one dimensional conduction following an instantaneous energy source on the surface of the film. In the data. analysis for their method, the temperature excursion at the rear surface of the substrate is utilized. This method lacks sensitivity to the thermal properties of the film, particularly if the substrate is thick or of low thermal diffusivity. Alternatively, we propose a method whereby a pulse of energy is deposited uniformly over a central circular region of film surface. In the process of thermal equilibration, locations on the surface of the film outside the initially heated region will undergo a temperature excursion. Through a theoretical analysis of the problem, the characteristics of this excursion and other (presumably known) factors can be utilized in the determination of the thermal diffuivity of the film.
Ammonia Binds to the Dangler Manganese of the Photosystem II Oxygen-Evolving Complex.

High-resolution X-ray structures of photosystem II reveal several potential substrate binding sites at the water-oxidizing/oxygen-evolving 4MnCa cluster. Aspartate-61 of the D1 protein hydrogen bonds with one such water (W1), which is bound to the dangler Mn4A of the oxygen-evolving complex. Comparison of pulse EPR spectra of 14NH3 and 15NH3 bound to wild-type Synechocystis PSII and a D1-D61A mutant lacking this hydrogen-bonding interaction demonstrates that ammonia binds as a terminal NH3 at this dangler Mn4A site and not as a partially deprotonated bridge between two metal centers. The implications of this finding on identifying the binding sites of the substrate and the subsequent mechanism of dioxygen formation are discussed.
Radical prostatectomy and exenterative procedures for local failure after radiotherapy with curative intent: comparison of outcomes.

AbstractDuring the last 2 decades 62 patients without evidence of distant disease underwent salvage surgery, including radical prostatectomy in 32, anterior exenteration in 23 and total exenteration in 7. Mean followup was 3.7 years, mean radiation dosage was 6,083cGy. (range 3,060 to 7,400) and interval from irradiation to surgery was 6 to 98 months (mean 48 months). The 5-year nonprogression and cause-specific survivals for radical prostatectomy patients of 82% and 90%, respectively, were significantly (p = 0.0062) better than for patients having exenterative procedures. Despite the more extensive local procedure for larger tumors used in exenteration, the residual cancer rate was higher and local control was not improved. Median time to progression after radical prostatectomy and exenterative procedures was 7.5 and 1.3 years, respectively. Progression and cancer death were related to aneuploid status and, in particular, to hormonal treatment and its timing, with the best results obtained when adjuvant ...
Preliminary evidence of HIV seroconversion among HIV-negative men who have sex with men taking non-prescribed antiretroviral medication for HIV prevention in Miami, Florida, USA.

Background Limited information suggests that men who have sex with men (MSM) are informally obtaining antiretroviral medication (ARVs) and using them for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Methods: Data are drawn from an on-going study examining the use of non-prescribed ARVs for PrEP. To date, 24 qualitative interviews have been conducted with HIV-negative, substance-using MSM living in Miami, Florida, USA. Data are presented from two participants who reported HIV seroconversion while using non-prescribed ARVs for PrEP. Results: Preliminary data indicate that some young MSM: (i) lack awareness of and accurate information about the efficacious use of PrEP; (ii) obtain non-prescribed ARVs from HIV-positive sex partners and use these medications for PrEP in a way that does not provide adequate protection against HIV infection or cohere with established guidelines; and (iii) engage in multiple HIV transmission risk behaviours, including condomless anal sex and injection drug use. Conclusions: The informal, non-prescribed and non-medically supervised use of ARVs for HIV prevention has the potential to undermine the protective benefits of PrEP and leave men unprotected against HIV transmission and at risk for ARV resistance.
Constitutive Characterization of the Nonlinear Viscoelastic Response of Vocal Fold Tissues

Previous empirical studies have shown that vocal fold tissues exhibit nonlinear viscoelastic behaviors under different loading conditions. Hysteresis and strain rate-dependence of stress-strain curves have been observed for different layers of vocal fold tissues when subjected to cyclic tensile loading [1,2]. Nonlinear viscoelastic response has also been described for vocal fold tissues subjected to constant strain and constant stress tests under both tensile loading and large-strain shear deformation conditions [3,4]. These findings cannot be adequately described by many of the traditional constitutive formulations of linear and quasilinear viscoelasticity. For instance, models based on Y. C. Fung’s quasilinear viscoelastic theory typically apply two separate functions to describe the time dependence and the strain dependence of stress (e.g., the reduced relaxation function G(t) and the elastic response σe (e), respectively), and combine the two functions by the Boltzmann superposition principle [5]. Such formulations assume that time dependence and strain dependence can be separated. However, recently obtained stress relaxation data of vocal fold tissues under various magnitudes of applied shear strain indicated that they are not separable, as relaxation became slower with increasing strain [4]. This paper attempts to characterize some nonlinear viscoelastic behaviors of vocal fold tissues under tensile and shear deformation conditions based on an implementation of the Bergstrom-Boyce model [6,7].Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Wind Power and Potential for its Exploitation in the Arab World

Wind power was used to propel boats along the Nile in 5000 B.C. and to pump water and for food production in the Middle East in 900 B.C. Today, only about 0.6% of the electricity demand in the Arab World is met by wind power generation. This ratio is much lower than corresponding ratios in Europe and the United States. Although one could point to specific reasons such as availability of wind, installation costs and local expertise, and availability of other energy resources, it is important to realize that generating wind power poses different challenges in different parts of the world. Like many places, issues such as data availability, grid capacity and transparent cost analysis are important for making decision regarding development of wind power. In the Arab world, the issues become more complicated when considering political uncertainty, which at a minimum impacts investment decision, and cultural values and attitudes towards power use and environmental impact.
Autoantibody-induced internalization of CNS AQP4 water channel and EAAT2 glutamate transporter requires astrocytic Fc receptor

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel-specific IgG distinguishes neuromyelitis optica (NMO) from multiple sclerosis and causes characteristic immunopathology in which central nervous system (CNS) demyelination is secondary. Early events initiating the pathophysiological outcomes of IgG binding to astrocytic AQP4 are poorly understood. CNS lesions reflect events documented in vitro following IgG interaction with AQP4: AQP4 internalization, attenuated glutamate uptake, intramyelinic edema, interleukin-6 release, complement activation, inflammatory cell recruitment, and demyelination. Here, we demonstrate that AQP4 internalization requires AQP4-bound IgG to engage an astrocytic Fcγ receptor (FcγR). IgG-lacking Fc redistributes AQP4 within the plasma membrane and induces interleukin-6 release. However, AQP4 endocytosis requires an activating FcγR's gamma subunit and involves astrocytic membrane loss of an inhibitory FcγR, CD32B. Interaction of the IgG-AQP4 complex with FcγRs triggers coendocytosis of the excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2). Requirement of FcγR engagement for internalization of two astrocytic membrane proteins critical to CNS homeostasis identifies a complement-independent, upstream target for potential early therapeutic intervention in NMO.
Imaging spinal cord atrophy in progressive myelopathies: HTLV-I-associated neurological disease (HAM/TSP) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective Previous work measures spinal cord thinning in chronic progressive myelopathies, including human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Quantitative measurements of spinal cord atrophy are important in fully characterizing these and other spinal cord diseases. We aimed to investigate patterns of spinal cord atrophy and correlations with clinical markers. Methods Spinal cord cross-sectional area was measured in individuals (24 healthy controls [HCs], 17 asymptomatic carriers of HTLV-1 (AC), 47 HAM/TSP, 74 relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS], 17 secondary progressive MS [SPMS], and 40 primary progressive MS [PPMS]) from C1 to T10. Clinical disability scores, viral markers, and immunological parameters were obtained for patients and correlated with representative spinal cord cross-sectional area regions at the C2 to C3, C4 to C5, and T4 to T9 levels. In 2 HAM/TSP patients, spinal cord cross-sectional area was measured over 3 years. Results All spinal cord regions are thinner in HAM/TSP (56 mm2 [standard deviation, 10], 59 [10], 23 [5]) than in HC (76 [7], 83 [8], 38 [4]) and AC (71 [7], 78 [9], 36 [7]). SPMS (62 [9], 66 [9], 32 [6]) and PPMS (65 [11], 68 [10], 35 [7]) have thinner cervical cords than HC and RRMS (73 [9], 77 [10], 37 [6]). Clinical disability scores (Expanded Disability Status Scale [p = 0.009] and Instituto de Pesquisas de Cananeia [p = 0.03]) and CD8+ T-cell frequency (p = 0.04) correlate with T4 to T9 spinal cord cross-sectional area in HAM/TSP. Higher cerebrospinal fluid HTLV-1 proviral load (p = 0.01) was associated with thinner spinal cord cross-sectional area. Both HAM/TSP patients followed longitudinally showed thoracic thinning followed by cervical thinning. Interpretation Group average spinal cord cross-sectional area in HAM/TSP and progressive MS show spinal cord atrophy. We further hypothesize in HAM/TSP that is possible that neuroglial loss from a thoracic inflammatory process results in anterograde and retrograde degeneration of axons, leading to the temporal progression of thoracic to cervical atrophy described here. Ann Neurol 2017;82:719–728.
Computable analogs of cardinal characteristics: Prediction and rearrangement

Abstract There has recently been work by multiple groups in extracting the properties associated with cardinal invariants of the continuum and translating these properties into similar analogous combinatorial properties of computational oracles. Each property yields a highness notion in the Turing degrees. In this paper we study the highness notions that result from the translation of the evasion number and its dual, the prediction number, as well as two versions of the rearrangement number. When translated appropriately, these yield four new highness notions. We will define these new notions, show some of their basic properties and place them in the computability-theoretic version of Cichon's diagram.
Design and Analysis of two Lab-Grade Prototype Instruments for Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum Ultrasonic Evaluation (DSSSUE)

Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum Ultrasonic Evaluation (DSSSUE) is a new technique for the nondestructive testing of materials. It applies the correlation properties of pseudo-random noise to ultrasonic NDE using spread-spectrum technology. The theoretical analysis of this technique and various system design options for its implementation were studied in [1] and [2] respectively. Based on this study, two prototype lab-grade instruments have been built. These instruments are functionally equivalent but have been designed with two different implementation approaches. One instrument implements the technique making maximum use of digital signal processing and software. The second instrument implements most of the signal processing functions in hardware. This paper describes the implementation details of the two instruments, discusses various problems encountered and their solutions along with the practical limitations. It also presents some early work on the signature analysis techniques.
Fate and effects of diazinon.

Diazinon use has significantly increased since its introduction more than four decades ago. Thus, today we are faced with environmental and health consequences that are largely inseparable from the insecticide's benefits. Fortunately, the research to date is of immeasurable value in making sound scientific and policy decisions regarding diazinon use. Overall, research shows that diazinon is globally widespread, having distributed to all environmental media. Residential uses, and its ubiquity under many farming practices, contribute to extensive non-point-source pollution. In general, diazinon is degraded fairly rapidly in natural settings, although results have been variable and some degradation products are at least as toxic as the parent compound. Diazinon exhibits high acute toxicity to a wide variety of animals, leading to a wide range of sublethal biochemical effects, damage to specific target organs and tissues, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, reproductive damage, and adverse ecological impacts. Its biological fate is complex, mediated largely by diverse metabolic mechanisms. Further research and monitoring are needed in a number of areas. For instance, it is important to develop a better understanding of the mechanism of diazinon's highly lethal effects on birds. Use restrictions at golf courses and sod farms are a welcome step, but there are still widespread avian exposures from orchards and lawns. Continued diazinon use at current rates also poses a clear threat to aquatic ecosystems and to important species such as salmon and bluegill sunfish. Although the research presented here does not indicate threats to humans from the pesticide, Wright (1990) suggests that people may be at substantial risk in unregulated settings. Further research is also needed to resolve the matter of the potential carcinogenicity of diazinon. As with all pesticides, diazinon use can result in the so-called pesticide treadmill wherein pesticide use necessitates further use as insects develop resistance and natural predators are eliminated (Gliessman 1998). It is critical that all pesticides be used with great care to minimize this consequence to avoid a repeat the occurrence in 1965 in the Culiacan Valley of Mexico. There, excessive pesticide use resulted in cotton pests that were resistant to all available insecticides, forcing growers to entirely abandon production (Wright 1990). However, used carefully, diazinon represents a powerful agricultural tool available to assist in the continued production of foodstuffs for a rapidly growing world population.
Community distribution outlier detection in heterogeneous information networks

Heterogeneous networks are ubiquitous. For example, bibliographic data, social data, medical records, movie data and many more can be modeled as heterogeneous networks. Rich information associated with multi-typed nodes in heterogeneous networks motivates us to propose a new definition of outliers, which is different from those defined for homogeneous networks. In this paper, we propose the novel concept of Community Distribution Outliers (CDOutliers) for heterogeneous information networks, which are defined as objects whose community distribution does not follow any of the popular community distribution patterns.We extract such outliers using a type-aware joint analysis of multiple types of objects. Given community membership matrices for all types of objects, we follow an iterative two-stage approach which performs pattern discovery and outlier detection in a tightly integrated manner. We first propose a novel outlier-aware approach based on joint non-negative matrix factorization to discover popular community distribution patterns for all the object types in a holistic manner, and then detect outliers based on such patterns. Experimental results on both synthetic and real datasets show that the proposed approach is highly effective in discovering interesting community distribution outliers.
Schizophrenia in the Mentally Retarded

The historical relationship between the symptoms of mental retardation and mental illness will initially be reviewed. The interrelationships between the symptoms will then be illustrated by presenting one of our recent studies in a community-based sample of retarded citizens. Specific focus on the clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia in the retarded, and its differential response to treatment modalities, are reviewed through the author’s recent study on the efficacy of psychopharmacological agents. Lastly, the current and future challenges which this “dual diagnosis” presents will be underscored.
Borders and badges: Arizona’s children confront detention and deportation through art

Hostile and unpredictable immigration policies can have detrimental consequences for children of immigrants. This study provides a snapshot of children’s reactions to anti-immigrant policies in Arizona from 2007 to 2010. Through a visual content narrative analysis of 115 drawings by children in a community-run after-school program in Maricopa County, Phoenix, Arizona, this study chronicles, analyzes, and attempts to understand the ways children make sense of their positions and their families’ security in US society. The themes that emerged from children’s drawings include (1) detention and deportation, (2) violence and racism, and (3) resilience. The themes outlined in this paper suggest that in a continued repressive political context, children’s preoccupations with family separation are likely to have lasting consequences as these children transition into adulthood. For scholars, educators, and policymakers, this study reveals the consequences of deportation-based fear on children’s academic, emotional, and physical well-being.
Corrosion Characteristics of Laser-Engineered Net Shaping Additively-Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel

The single-loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) test was used to quantify the degree of sensitization for 316L stainless steel (SS) produced by laser-engineered net shaping (LENS®) additive manufacturing (AM). EPR tests were also used to monitor how the sensitivity of the as-deposited and heat-treated AM material compared to wrought 316L SS. A solution-annealing heat treatment that recrystallized the material was also applied to AM-316L SS. The EPR tests showed that as-deposited AM-316L SS displayed low levels of sensitization. Heat-treated AM-316L SS demonstrated some improvements in resistance to corrosion, but overall did not perform as well as wrought 316L material. Optical micrographs of the AM-316L SS samples collected after conducting the EPR tests also showed localization in the as-deposited AM-316L SS material; however, these features were reduced after heat treatment, suggesting greater resistance to corrosion.
Chapter 2 – Overview of Process Economics

An essential component of any sustainable design is the economic aspect. In designing a new process or retrofitting an existing one, many of the technical and environmental decisions are strongly impacted by the economic factors. Therefore, it is critical for engineers to study process economics to be able to: • evaluate feasibility of new projects • improve performance of existing processes • make design and operating decisions • compare alternatives • decide strategic directions for the company • establish sound policies for process and product objectives (e.g., matters pertaining to the environment, safety, quality) This chapter provides an overview of basic concepts and tools in cost estimation and economics of chemical processes to answer the following questions: • What are the cost items involved in installing and operating a process? • What types of cost estimation can be carried out and to what level of accuracy? • How to estimate the cost of building a plant or implementing a project? • How to account for the changes in market conditions and for the time value of money? • How to estimate the recurring costs associated with running the plant? • How to assess the economic viability of a project? • How to screen competing projects and select the most attractive alternative(s)? To address these questions, the chapter will focus on the following topics: • cost types and estimation • depreciation • break-even analysis • time value of money • profitability analysis
A systematic review of reinforcement-based interventions for substance use: Efficacy, mechanisms of action, and moderators of treatment effects.

Abstract Background Brief reinforcement-based psychosocial interventions such as behavioral activation (BA) and behavioral economics (BE) address imbalances in the reinforcement system that are strongly implicated in substance use. The present study reviewed a growing body of intervention studies that tested the efficacy of BA or BE in addressing substance use outcomes. The study also reviewed a smaller body of evidence exploring mechanisms of action and moderators of treatment efficacy for substance use outcomes. Method A comprehensive literature search of four databases was conducted to identify studies that tested either BA or BE interventions targeting outcomes and/or mechanisms of action specific to substance use. The search yielded 12 studies that met these criteria. Ten studies reported main outcomes of BA/BE interventions targeting substance use outcomes (N = 7 BA; N = 3 BE). Two additional studies addressed mechanisms of change by conducting secondary analyses of data from one of the other ten studies. Eight of the twelve studies tested mechanisms of change and/or moderators related to substance use. Results Among all ten outcome studies, 100% provided evidence suggesting efficacy of BA/BE in targeting substance use and/or use-related problems. In 90% (9/10) of studies, the BA/BE intervention condition evidenced significantly higher abstinence rates compared to controls and/or significant decreases in substance use from baseline. Most studies that assessed substance use-related problems (83%; 5/6) reported significant decreases in use-related problems. The majority of studies (80%; 8/10) reported medium to large effect sizes. The pattern of findings was similar for BA and BE interventions. Eight studies assessed change in mechanism of action and 38% (3/8) identified mechanisms of action, however, only two conducted a formal test of whether this variable mediated the relationship between condition and outcome. Two studies tested and identified significant moderators of treatment efficacy. Conclusions Preliminary evidence supports the efficacy of reinforcement-based interventions in targeting substance use outcomes. The mechanisms driving BA/BE efficacy and factors that may moderate treatment effects are not sufficiently clear from the studies available and require further examination, although existing data does suggest promise and provides clues for next steps.
On the High Dimensional Power of a Linear-Time Two Sample Test under Mean-shift Alternatives

Nonparametric two sample testing deals with the question of consistently deciding if two distributions are dierent, given samples from both, without making any parametric assumptions about the form of the distributions. The current literature is split into two kinds of tests - those which are consistent without any assumptions about how the distributions may dier ( general alternatives), and those which are designed to specically test easier alternatives, like a dierence in
The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Psychopathy, Crime, and Prison Violence in Women:

There is a growing interest in understanding the consequences of parental incarceration. Unfortunately, research exploring the long-term criminological and personality effects in female offspring is limited, particularly among second-generation female offenders. In a sample of 170 female offenders, we first assessed the correlations between psychopathy facets, prison violence, and types of crime. Next, we tested the association between childhood exposure to paternal and/or maternal incarceration on adulthood psychopathic traits, criminal offending, and prospective prison violence over 12 months. Correlations showed the interpersonal facet was positively correlated with fraud-related crime and prison violence. The affective facet was positively correlated with violent crime and prison violence. The behavioral facet was associated with prison violence and drug-related crime. Multinomial logistic regressions showed higher interpersonal facet scores were associated with an increased likelihood of having experienced paternal incarceration. Higher affective facet scores, violent crime, and prison violence were associated with an increased likelihood of having experienced maternal incarceration, regardless of if the father had been incarcerated or not. It is evident that having any parent incarcerated during childhood can be harmful to daughters; however, our findings dovetail with prior research showing that maternal incarceration leads to more detrimental outcomes for women.
Trust-Based Human-Machine Collaboration Mechanism for Predicting Crimes

In today’s world, with the shifting nature of artificial intelligence (AI) to explainable AI, which involves humans and machines working and complementing each other, there is a need for a mechanism to govern their collaboration. We have proposed a trust-based mechanism to manage collaboration between them. Our trust-based mechanism has the ability to quantify human trust into a mathematical model. The proposed trust-based framework will facilitate decision making when humans and machines are involved in a process. This framework will ensure that either of them never under trust or over trust each other by computing trust information based on their history. To validate our proposed framework, experiments are performed on Indianapolis Crime Data which contains actual crime information, machine predictions, and police feedback. Results have shown that how the trust of both entities can impact the decision making of the police towards machine predictions.