cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient signal detection using high-resolution line detection on wavelet transforms

We associate the problem of estimating the locations of signal transients with the image processing task of detecting and estimating lines and axes of symmetry in an image obtained through the wavelet transform of the signal. We investigate the application of the SLIDE algorithm, an efficient high-resolution algorithm for line detection and estimation, to the image processing task associated with the detection of transient signals. >
Service Quality: The Impact of Frequency, Timing, Proximity, and Sequence of Failures and Delights

Service delivery often involves a series of events or stages of exchange between a service provider and its customer. At each stage, performance can meet, exceed, or fall below the customer's expectations. This article contributes to the literature by examining how the patterns of distribution (frequency, timing, proximity, and sequence) of service failures and delights affect customers' perceptions of service quality. The authors propose a conceptual model based on mental accounting principles derived from prospect theory and develop a series of research propositions to explicate the links between distribution patterns of service failures/delights and service quality perceptions. The study integrates prospect theory with service encounter research and provides a comprehensive theory-driven platform for exploring the impact of various service failure and delight distribution patterns. In addition, it offers important managerial implications for service design and resource allocation regarding when, how of...
The Limited Relevance of Analytical Ethics to the Problems of Bioethics

Philosophical ethics comprises metaethics, normative ethics and applied ethics. These have characteristically received analytic treatment by twentieth-century Anglo-American philosophy. But there has been disagreement over their interrelationship to one another and the relationship of analytical ethics to substantive morality--the making of moral judgments. I contend that the expertise philosophers have in either theoretical or applied ethics does not equip them to make sounder moral judgments on the problems of bioethics than nonphilosophers. One cannot "apply" theories like Kantianism or consequentialism to get solutions to practical moral problems unless one knows which theory is correct, and that is a metaethical question over which there is no consensus. On the other hand, to presume to be able to reach solutions through neutral analysis of problems is unavoidably to beg controversial theoretical issues in the process. Thus, while analytical ethics can play an important clarificatory role in bioethics, it can neither provide, nor substitute for, moral wisdom.
Interlaboratory reliability of Hybrid Capture 2.

We evaluated the interlaboratory reproducibility of the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2; Digene, Gaithersburg, MD), a test for oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, using data from 4 clinical center (CC) laboratories and the quality control (QC) laboratory participating in the ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) and LSIL (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) Triage Study (ALTS). Residual liquid cytology specimens were tested routinely throughout the duration of ALTS at CC laboratories, and a stratified (by time in the study) random sample of specimens was retested by the HPV QC laboratory using equivalent protocols. Of the specimens selected (N = 1,175, 5.50% of all specimens obtained), 1,072 (91.23%) had sufficient specimen volume for retesting. The κ value between all CC laboratories and the HPV QC laboratory was 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.89), with κ values for individual CCs and the HPV QC laboratory ranging from 0.79 to 0.89. Agreement between test results was lowest among results for women with negative cytologic findings (0.73); among those with equivocal or abnormal cytologic findings, κ values were 0.80 or more. These data show that HC2 is a reliable test for detecting clinically relevant oncogenic HPV DNA. Hybrid Capture 2 (Digene, Gaithersburg, MD) using probe set B (henceforth referred to as HC2) is a DNA test for detection of cancer-associated (oncogenic) human papillomavirus (HPV) types in cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) specimens. HC2 is a sensitive test for identifying women with high-grade cervical neoplasia in screening populations 1,2 and for triaging women with equivocal cytologic abnormalities (atypical squamous cells [ASC]). 3,4 Consequently, HPV testing is being introduced into
Patient willingness and barriers to receiving a CT scan for lung cancer screening

CT scans are becoming a more common method for detecting lung cancers at an earlier, potentially more curable, stage of disease. There is currently little data on attitudes and beliefs about screening for lung cancer. This paper presents the results of a 2011 survey of adult current and former smokers that queried about past use of CT scanning and reasons for having or not having the screening done. A random-digit dialed telephone survey was administered to a representative sample of 1290 US adults. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the correlates of having the test while controlling for the covariates. A total of 13.4% (n = 45) of the sample had ever had a CT scan to detect lung cancer. Of current smokers, 14.6% had received a CT scan, as compared with 12.7% of former smokers. The oldest age group (55+) was significantly more likely to have received a CT scan than the younger age groups. 78.5% of current smokers and 81.4% of former smokers indicated willingness to get the test if advised to do so by their doctor. Among those who said they were not willing to get screened, lack of insurance coverage was cited by 33% of current smokers and 25% of former smokers. Additionally, 33% of current smokers were afraid to find out whether they had cancer. The main barrier to CT scanning for lung cancer is likely to be insurance coverage for the test, which would be a burden for those on limited and fixed incomes. Next steps should include further research into the effect of increased public education about the availability, risks, benefits and barriers to lung cancer screening.
A Real Options-Based Framework to Evaluate Investments in River Flood Control under Uncertainty

Making decisions for flood control investment is challenging. This difficulty is because of some of the variables involved in the problem have uncertainty in them. Real Options theory is an approach to handle future uncertainties in risk management by providing flexibility in investment decisions. This work presents a real options-based framework to evaluate the financial value of having flexibility for deciding the time of investment in flood control. The framework considers the uncertainty associated with future water discharge events. Extreme water discharges are responsible of flooding events. The water discharges are considered as the random variable. The historical information of these variables is used to estimate the probability of future events. A lattice of options based in the probability of future events of the random variable is built. The option of delaying the investment is analyzed by calculating the payoffs of cost and benefits of each option. A hypothetical application is presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The result shows an option with an optimum investment time for flood control.
Strategies to Accommodate Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder in Physical Education Lessons

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects 2–7 percent of school-age children and is characterized by low motor proficiency associated with poor balance, coordination and handwriting skills. Because of their motor difficulties, children with DCD suffer from anxiety, low self-esteem and are often less sociable than typically developing children. As a consequence, these children tend to have reduced motivation for participation in physical activity and reduced opportunities for the development of motor skills and fitness. They also report lower enjoyment of physical education (PE) classes, as a result of not experiencing success in this environment and not feeling included or up to the tasks proposed by PE lessons. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to outline five strategies (group instruction, cues for learning, goal setting and routines, product-based approach, and constraints) that aid PE teachers in instructing and accommodating children with DCD in enhanced classes, ensuring their partic...
Endotoxin pretreatment increases endogenous myocardial catalase activity and decreases ischemia-reperfusion injury of isolated rat hearts

Hearts isolated from rats pretreated 24 hr before with endotoxin had increased myocardial catalase activity, but the same superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, as hearts from untreated rats. Hearts isolated from rats pretreated with endotoxin 24 hr before also had increased myocardial function (decreased injury) after ischemia and reperfusion (Langendorff apparatus, 37 degrees C), as assessed by measurement of ventricular developed pressure, contractility (+dP/dt), and relaxation rate (-dP/dt), compared to control hearts. In contrast, hearts isolated from rats pretreated with endotoxin 1 hr before isolation or hearts perfused with endotoxin did not have increased catalase activity or decreased injury following ischemia and reperfusion. Aminotriazole pretreatment prevented increases in myocardial catalase activity and myocardial function after ischemia-reperfusion in hearts from endotoxin-pretreated rats. The results suggest that endotoxin pretreatment decreases cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury and that increases in endogenous myocardial catalase activity contribute to protection.
Allosteric Cascade of Spliceosome Activation

Introns are removed from precursor messenger RNAs in the cell nucleus by a large ribonucleoprotein complex called the spliceosome. The spliceosome contains five subcomplexes called snRNPs, each with one RNA and several protein components. Interactions of the snRNPs with each other and the intron are highly dynamic, changing in an ordered progression throughout the splicing process. This allosteric cascade of interactions is programmed into the RNA and protein components of the spliceosome, and is driven by a family of DExD/H-box RNA-dependent ATPases. The dependence of cascade progression on multiple intron-recognition events likely serves to enforce the accuracy of splicing. Here, the progression of the allosteric cascade from the first recognition event to the first catalytic step of splicing is reviewed.
Comments on ‘Enhancing organizational effectiveness in developing countries: The training and visit system revisited’

This article comments on the above-titled article which appeared in Public Administration and Development (PAD), Vol. 12. It argues that Hulme's article: (i) does not, as it professes to, bring out the organizational impact of the training and visit (TV (ii) dismisses the rigorous statistical analysis of the impact of the system by Feder and Slade, and approvingly cites Antholt's methodologically unsustainable comparison between states in India, without giving convincing reasons for this choice; and (iii) ignores the important developments regarding T&V extension in the recent past, and relies on earlier papers on the subject. Some of the recent developments regarding the implementation of T&V in Africa are given in this article, including a summary of recent evaluations done in Kenya and Burkina Faso. The article concludes with an account of the managerial issues posed by T&V.
A Lower Allred Score for Progesterone Receptor Is Strongly Associated With a Higher Recurrence Score of 21-Gene Assay in Breast Cancer

ABSTRACTAmong the 77 infiltrating breast carcinomas, we found that progesterone receptor (PR) expression was inversely associated with recurrence score (RS, p < .0001). RS is also significantly associated with tubule formation, mitosis, and luminal B subtype. The equation of RS = 17.489 + 2.071 (tubal formation) + 2.926 (mitosis) –2.408 (PR) –1.061 (HER2) + 7.051 (luminal A) + 29.172 (luminal B) predicts RS with an R2 of 0.65. In conclusion, PR negativity, luminal B subtype, tubal formation, and mitosis are strongly correlated with a higher RS.
Propagation and Growth of Gulf Stream Meanders between 75° and 45°W

Abstract Analysis of the Gulf Stream path between 75° and 60°W indicates that the spectral signature of propagating and standing meanders is qualitatively similar to that observed for the upstream region 74°–70°W. Progressive, retrogressive,and standing meanders coexist at periods of several months and longer. The amplitude-dependent dispersion relation obtained for the region 75°–45°W demonstrates the decrease of phase speed as the amplitude increases; the dependence of phase speed on amplitude is found to be stronger than that on wavelength. The average phase speed decreases with downstream distance primarily due to the downstream increase of meander amplitude. Consequently, a relation between phase speed and wavelength for the region west of 70°W, averaged over all amplitudes, is not uniformly valid for a larger domain. Furthermore, downstream propagating meander troughs are steeper and travel more slowly than meander crests. The average stationary wavelength, 700–800 km for 75°–60°W, is much shorter t...
Fitting Daily Precipitation Amounts Using the SB Distribution

Abstract The log-normal, gamma, Weibull, S8 and beta distributions were fit to daily precipitation amounts foreach calendar month for a 38-year period. Data are from the high precipitation zone of the southernAppalachian Mountains. The S8 distribution, a generalization of the log-normal, consistently fit the databest. There was no striking evidence that precipitation distribution differed by month. The SB distributionalso was best when fit to all precipitation days without regard to date. The gamma distribution fit rainfallamounts accumulated for two and three consecutive wet days best. Higher order Markov chains, up through the fifth order, described our data better than lower orderchains. Thus, the probability of precipitation on any day depends on what happened on at least the fiveprevious days. The SB distribution of precipitation amounts on all dates preceded by dry days is differentfrom the distribution of amounts on all dates preceded by precipitation days. The SBB distribution, a simplebivariate e...
Interpretation of TRMM TMI Images of Tropical Cyclones

Abstract Images of the 85-GHz frequency from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) aboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft are routinely viewed by forecasters for tropical cyclone analyses. These images are valued because of their ability to observe tropical cyclone structure and to locate center positions. Images of lower-frequency SSM/I channels, such as 37 GHz, have poor quality due to the coarse spatial resolution, and therefore 85 GHz has become the de facto analysis standard. However, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI), launched in 1997, has much better spatial resolution for all channels than the SSM/I. Although originally designed to investigate precipitation for climate research, real-time images are now sent into tropical cyclone forecast offices, and posted to Web pages of the Naval Research Laboratory and the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, both in Monterey, California. TMI images of 37 GHz have a numbe...
Insulin-stimulated amino acid utilization during glucose and amino acid clamps decreases with development

Neonatal animals utilize their dietary amino acids for protein accretion with high efficiency, and this efficiency declines during early life. The factors responsible for this developmental change are unknown. Our objectives were to determine whether amino acid (AA) utilization is stimulated by insulin in the neonate and whether this response changes during the suckling period. Two hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp infusion studies, using 10-2,000 ng insulin.kg-0.66.min-1, were performed in 7- and 26-day-old pigs. In study I, no AA were provided during the infusion, and the resultant decline in plasma AA levels was defined. In study II, plasma AA were clamped at near-fasting levels, and whole body utilization of exogenous AA was determined by measuring the rate of infusion of an AA mixture necessary to maintain basal plasma lysine concentrations. In study I, the half-maximal effective dose (ED50) for the fall in AA concentrations with increasing plasma insulin concentration was lower in 7- than in 26-day-old pigs, and the nadir in AA concentration was achieved by only 20 microU/ml insulin. In study II, the utilization of exogenous AA during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic AA clamps exhibited a higher maximum response (Rmax) (49 vs. 26 mumol AAtotal.min-1.kg-1) and a lower ED50 (18 vs. 45 microU insulin/ml) in 7- than in 26-day-old pigs. Plasma urea nitrogen concentrations did not rise with increasing insulin and AA infusion rates. These results indicate that insulin stimulates the utilization of exogenous AA in neonatal pigs and that both the insulin sensitivity and responsiveness of AA utilization decline over the suckling period. The infused AA were likely utilized for protein accretion.
Temperature-dependent light-stabilized states in thin-film PV modules

Thin-film photovoltaic modules are known to exhibit light-induced transient behavior which interferes with accurate and repeatable measurements of power. Typically power measurements are made after a light exposure in order to target a “light state” of the module that is representative of outdoor performance. Here we show that the concept of a unique light state is poorly defined for both CIGS and CdTe modules. Instead we find that their metastable state after a light exposure can depend on the temperature of the module during the exposure. We observe changes in power as large as 5.8% for a 20°C difference in light exposure temperature. These results lead us to conclude that for applications in which reproducibility and repeatability are critical, module temperature should be tightly controlled during light exposure.
Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications of Template-Synthesized Nanotubes and Nanotube Membranes

Nanoscience is one of the most important research and development frontiers in modern science.1 Nano is a Greek word meaning dwarf, and the nanometer (nm, 10−9 m) defines the length scale that is used to measure systems being studied in nanoscience. In the most simplistic sense, nanoscience is the science of small particles of materials. Such small particles are of interest from a fundamental viewpoint because all properties of a material (e.g., melting point, electronic properties, optical properties) change when the size of the particles that makes up the material become nanoscopic. With new properties come new opportunities for technological and commercial development, and applications of nanoparticles have been demonstrated or proposed in areas as diverse as microelectronics, coatings and paints, and biotechnology. For example, one application that is currently in the commercial marketplace entails using gold nanoparticles as visual indicators in over-the-counter medical diagnostic kits.2 This application illustrates nicely how the unique properties of a nanoparticle can lead to technological opportunities. Macroscopic samples of pure gold have only one color—gold—but nanoparticles of gold can show essentially all of the colors of the rainbow, depending on the size and the shape of the nanoparticle.3 Furthermore, the intensity of the optical absorption of gold nanoparticles is extraordinarily strong, which means that when suspended in a solution or deposited on a surface, the naked eye can detect a very small quantity of these particles. These properties make gold nanoparticles ideally suited as visual indicators. Other applications of microparticles and nanoparticles in the biomedical sciences and biotechnology include use as vehicles for enzyme encapsulation,4 DNA transfection,5–7 biosensors,8–10 and drug delivery.11–13 For example, drugs can be incorporated into nanospheres composed of a biodegradable polymer, and this allows for timed release of the drug as the nanospheres degrade.11,12 The circumstances that cause the particle to degrade can be adjusted by varying the nature of the chemical bonding within the particle. For example, when acid-labile bonds are used, the particles degrade in acidic microenvironments such as would be extant
Testing For Aggregation Bias in a Non-Linear Framework: Some Monte Carlo Results

Researchers modeling the behavior of individual people or firms are often unable to utilize micro-level data because such data are unavailable or unreliable. Faced with this dilemma, researchers often resort to using aggregate-level data. When the individual-level variable of interest is dichotomous, however, the aggregate-level model is subject to a special form of aggregation bias. Kelejian [1994] provides a methodology for testing for the presence of this form of bias. This study uses Monte Carlo analysis to evaluate the usefulness of Kelejian’s test. Using 50 units, populated by, 100, 1000 and 10,000 individuals, we find that aggregation bias is almost universally present. Unfortunately, the Kelejian test identifies the bias in fewer than half of the cases.
Microfluidic separation of magnetic particles with soft magnetic microstructures

This paper demonstrates simple and cost-effective microfluidic devices for enhanced separation of magnetic particles by using soft magnetic microstructures. By injecting a mixture of iron powder and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into a prefabricated channel, an iron–PDMS microstructure was fabricated next to a microfluidic channel. Placed between two external permanent magnets, the magnetized iron–PDMS microstructure induces localized and strong forces on the magnetic particles in the direction perpendicular to the fluid flow. Due to the small distance between the microstructure and the fluid channel, the localized large magnetic field gradients result a vertical force on the magnetic particles, leading to enhanced separation of the particles. Numerical simulations were developed to compute the particle trajectories and agreed well with experimental data. Systematic experiments and numerical simulation were conducted to study the effect of relevant factors on the transport of superparamagnetic particles, including the shape of iron–PDMS microstructure, mass ratio of iron–PDMS composite, width of the microfluidic channel, and average flow velocity.
Multiple Threats, Conflicting Responses

Coups and civil wars share similar processes, although such a relationship has been understudied. Roessler (2011) makes a first attempt and argues that civil war is a long-term alternative for leaders; by reducing the chances they will be overthrown in a coup, they are increasing societal dissatisfaction, thus making a civil war more likely. I argue that just as civil wars may be alternatives to coups, so too may coups function as alternatives to civil wars. Leaders, facing fixed resources, allocate resources in an attempt to lessen the risk of civil war and coup. However, if a leader dedicates all her resources to preventing one event, she is functionally ignoring the other risk, thus making that event more likely to occur. Preliminary evidence calls into question some of Roessler's findings, but political variables alone are not enough to predict a trade-off.
gEFM: An Algorithm for Computing Elementary Flux Modes Using Graph Traversal

Computational methods to engineer cellular metabolism promise to play a critical role in producing pharmaceutical, repairing defective genes, destroying cancer cells, and generating biofuels. Elementary Flux Mode (EFM) analysis is one such powerful technique that has elucidated cell growth and regulation, predicted product yield, and analyzed network robustness. EFM analysis, however, is a computationally daunting task because it requires the enumeration of all independent and stoichiometrically balanced pathways within a cellular network. We present in this paper an EFM enumeration algorithm, termed graphical EFM or gEFM. The algorithm is based on graph traversal, an approach previously assumed unsuitable for enumerating EFMs. The approach is derived from a pathway synthesis method proposed by Mavrovouniotis et al. The algorithm is described and proved correct. We apply gEFM to several networks and report runtimes in comparison with other EFM computation tools. We show how gEFM benefits from network compression. Like other EFM computational techniques, gEFM is sensitive to constraint ordering; however, we are able to demonstrate that knowledge of the underlying network structure leads to better constraint ordering. gEFM is shown to be competitive with state-of-the-art EFM computational techniques for several networks, but less so for networks with a larger number of EFMs.
trans-Acetyl­dicarbon­yl(η5-cyclo­penta­dien­yl)(methyl­diphenyl­phosphane)molybdenum(II)

The title compound, [Mo(C5H5)(C2H3O)(C13H13P)(CO)2], was prepared by reaction of [Mo(CH3)(C5H5)(CO)3] with methyl­diphenyl­phosphane. The MoII atom exhibits a four-legged piano-stool coordination geometry with the acetyl and phosphane ligands trans to each other. There are several inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions involving carbonyl and acetyl O atoms as acceptors. A close nearly parallel π–π inter­action between the cyclo­penta­dienyl plane and the phenyl ring of the phosphane ligand is present, with an angle of 6.4 (1)° between the two least-squares planes. The centroid-to-centroid distance between these groups is 3.772 (3) A, and the closest distance between two atoms of these groups is 3.449 (4) A. Since each Mo complex is engaged in two of these inter­actions, the complexes form an infinite π-stack coincident with the a axis.
Kallikrein Inhibition and C1-Esterase Inhibitor Levels in Patients with the Lupus Inhibitor

It has been suggested that kallikrein inhibition may predispose patients with the lupus inhibitor to thrombosis by interfering with the Factor XII-mediated activation of plasminogen. To further investigate this suggestion, the authors measured kallikrein inhibition in 19 patients with the lupus inhibitor. They found that kallikrein inhibition was greater than 100% of that of a normal plasma pool in all patients and greater than 125% in 11 of 19. Kallikrein inhibition was significantly correlated with C1-esterase inhibitor (C1S-INH) concentration, which they measured by rocket immunoelectrophoresis (r = +0.55, P less than 0.05). In three patients the C1S-INH was more than 30% greater than the kallikrein inhibition. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis for C1S-INH in these patients' plasma revealed an electrophoretic mobility identical with that of the normal plasma pool. The authors suggest that C1S-INH-mediated kallikrein inhibition, in conjunction with other coagulation abnormalities, predisposes patients with the lupus inhibitor to thrombosis.
Refractory heart failure. Differential diagnosis and management.

A patient with congestive heart failure whose remediable problems do not respond to routine therapeutic measures may be said to have refractory heart failure. Such a patient usually requires a combination of a potent diuretic and one or more potentiating agents such as aminophylline, an acidifying drug, prednisone or an aldosterone-blocking agent. Combinations of five or more diuretic agents with different pharmacodynamics can be used effectively.
Effect of 3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole on the Stimulation of Hepatic Microsomal Heme Synthesis and Induction of Hepatic Microsomal Oxidases Produced by Phenobarbital

3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole inhibits rat hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (EC [4.2.1.24][1]), the enzyme which mediates the second step in heme biosynthesis. Aminotriazole decreases the incorporation of both δ-aminolevulinic acid-14C and 59Fe into microsomal heme and inhibits the stimulation of 59Fe incorporation into microsomal heme produced by phenobarbital. Aminotriazole also inhibits the induction of rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 and that of the microsomal oxidations of ethylmorphine, norcodeine, and 3-methyl-4-monomethylaminoazobenzene produced by phenobarbital during the first 48 hr of treatment. Since aminotriazole has no effect on the induction of the hepatic microsomal flavoprotein NADPH-cytochrome c reductase by phenobarbital, it appears to inhibit the biosynthesis of heme exclusive of an effect on protein synthesis. It is suggested that heme synthesis may be the controlling event in the synthesis of the microsomal hemoprotein cytochrome P-450, and that stimulation of heme synthesis represents one means by which phenobarbital produces an increase of cytochrome P-450 in hepatic microsomes. [1]: pending:yes
Women in Medicine

The situation is improving; at Stanford, a conscious effort has significantly increased female representation on the faculty and raised to 25% the proportion of women in the 1972–73 entering class. But negative attitudes still persist, often among women themselves. In the final analysis women must define the special needs that must be met if they are to pursue medicine as a career while still leading full personal lives.
Thermal Neighborhoods, Socioeconomic Characteristics, and Urban Quality of Life: Examining Humanity’s Principal Habitat

Urban heat can negatively impact urban quality of life – a measure of resident well-being. However, the burden of urban heat is often unevenly distributed. This chapter examines urban temperature in Terre Haute, Indiana using detailed land cover data and socioeconomic data. First, four urban thermal neighborhoods were generated using land cover percentages and k-means clustering. Then, urban temperature was examined in the context of these four neighborhoods, and it was found that urban temperature was significantly different in the four neighborhoods. Finally, socioeconomic variables were examined. It was determined that income was significantly higher in neighborhoods with low temperatures and percentage minority population values were significantly higher in the neighborhoods with the higher temperature values. Future research could further investigate the relationship between urban heat and socioeconomic characteristics.
Increased Titin Compliance Reduced Length-Dependent Contraction and Slowed Cross-Bridge Kinetics in Skinned Myocardial Strips from Rbm20ΔRRM Mice

Titin is a giant protein spanning from the Z-disk to the M-band of the cardiac sarcomere. In the I-band titin acts as a molecular spring, contributing to passive mechanical characteristics of the myocardium throughout a heartbeat. RNA Binding Motif Protein 20 (RBM20) is required for normal titin splicing, and its absence or altered function leads to greater expression of a very large, more compliant N2BA titin isoform in Rbm20 homozygous mice (Rbm20ΔRRM) compared to wild-type mice (WT) that almost exclusively express the stiffer N2B titin isoform. Prior studies using Rbm20ΔRRM animals have shown that increased titin compliance compromises muscle ultrastructure and attenuates the Frank-Starling relationship. Although previous computational simulations of muscle contraction suggested that increasing compliance of the sarcomere slows the rate of tension development and prolongs cross-bridge attachment, none of the reported effects of Rbm20ΔRRM on myocardial function have been attributed to changes in cross-bridge cycling kinetics. To test the relationship between increased sarcomere compliance and cross-bridge kinetics, we used stochastic length-perturbation analysis in Ca2+-activated, skinned papillary muscle strips from Rbm20ΔRRM and WT mice. We found increasing titin compliance depressed maximal tension, decreased Ca2+-sensitivity of the tension-pCa relationship, and slowed myosin detachment rate in myocardium from Rbm20ΔRRM vs. WT mice. As sarcomere length increased from 1.9 to 2.2 µm, length-dependent activation of contraction was eliminated in the Rbm20ΔRRM myocardium, even though myosin MgADP release rate decreased ~20% to prolong strong cross-bridge binding at longer sarcomere length. These data suggest that increasing N2BA expression may alter cardiac performance in a length-dependent manner, showing greater deficits in tension production and slower cross-bridge kinetics at longer sarcomere length. This study also supports the idea that passive mechanical characteristics of the myocardium influence ensemble cross-bridge behavior and maintenance of tension generation throughout the sarcomere.
Pharmacogenomic analysis of HER2 amplified breast cancer treated with preoperative trastuzumab and paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide (T/FEC) chemotherapy

545 Background: We performed gene expression analysis to identify molecular predictors of resistance to preoperative concomitant trastuzumab and T/FEC chemotherapy. Methods: Pretreatment fine needl...
13GHz On-chip Oscilloscope with Sub-picosecond Resolution Using Asynchronous Clock

In this paper, we propose a small area sampling head combined with an asynchronous sub-sampling technique which exhibits similar performance to an expensive laboratory oscilloscope. The sampling head utilizes dual track and hold circuits implemented in a 65nm SOI process. The samples are clocked asynchronously at low frequency, and the timebase is reconstructed to produce sub-picosecond timing resolution. The hardware demonstrates a bandwidth of 13GHz and dissipates 15mW of power. Measurement of a 15Gb/s eye diagram and a slower transient bit pattern is demonstrated
Oxidation of Hindered Allylic C-H Bonds with Applications to the Functionalization of Complex Molecules

We report the palladium-catalyzed oxidation of hindered alkenes to form linear allylic esters. The combination of palladium(II) benzoate, 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one, and benzoquinone catalyzes the mild oxidation of terminal alkenes with tert-butyl benzoyl peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of diverse functional groups. Selective oxidation of terminal alkenes in the presence of trisubstituted and disubstituted alkenes has been achieved, and the ability to conduct the reaction on a gram scale has been demonstrated. The mild conditions and high tolerance for auxiliary functionality make this method suitable for the synthesis and derivatization of complex molecules.
The treatment of advanced nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

The cure rate of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors has improved dramatically since the advent of platinum based chemotherapy. While the majority of patients are cured with first line treatment, the remaining relapsed or refractory patients represent a difficult to manage sub-group. The timing of autologous stem cell transplant (AuSCT) is a controversial issue. While AuSCT is accepted therapy after failure of salvage regimes, some have used this method of treatment at first relapse and even up front in patients with poor prognoses.
The Influence of Women's Neighborhood Resources on Perceptions of Social Disorder.

Research links neighborhood social disorder with poorer health. But factors beyond observed disorder may influence perceptions that social disorder is problematic. This study investigates whether w...
Influence of radial versus femoral access site on coronary angiography and intervention outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT) to compare procedural outcomes between radial access (RA) and femoral access (FA). Background Recent RCTs suggest RA for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention reduces bleeding complications, but controversy exists regarding other benefits and risks relative to FA. Methods Searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, LILACS, and major conference abstracts identified relevant studies published from 1985-2016. We qualitatively evaluated study methodology and risk of bias. Quantitative data were abstracted relevant to the primary endpoints of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major bleeding (MB), and secondary outcomes including vascular complications and procedural failure. Results We identified 2,098 titles, from which 48 studies with 29,446 patients met inclusion criteria for our analysis. We found there was a significant reduction of MACE with RA versus FA (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.95, I2 = 0%), driven by a reduction in death, but not MI or stroke. MB occurred less frequently with RA (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.44–0.67, I2 = 4%). Vascular complications were also reduced with RA (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.25–0.59, I2 = 75%), while procedural failure was more common (RR 2.15, 95% CI 1.65–2.82, I2 = 53%), although there was significant statistical heterogeneity for both of these outcomes. Most studies demonstrated low risk of selection and attrition biases, but high risk of detection bias. Conclusions Radial access reduces the risk of death, major bleeding, and vascular complications as compared to femoral access but increases the risk of procedural failure. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Computational analysis of ChIP-seq data.

Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with genome tiling array hybridization, also known as ChIP-chip, is a powerful technology to identify protein-DNA interactions in genomes. It is widely used to locate transcription factor binding sites and histone modifications. Data generated by ChIP-chip provide important information on gene regulation. This chapter reviews fundamental issues in ChIP-chip data analysis. Topics include data preprocessing, background correction, normalization, peak detection and motif analysis. Statistical models and principles that significantly improve data analysis are discussed. Popular software tools are briefly introduced.
A GPU-CPU heterogeneous algorithm for NGS read alignment

In the next generation sequencing (NGS) read alignment problem, millions of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments, called reads, are mapped to a reference genome. Read alignment is typically carried out using traditional computing platforms, which have become a limiting factor in the speed of the process. The massive scale of the problem makes it an attractive target for acceleration. In this paper, we design a read alignment algorithm designed to run on a heterogeneous system composed of a graphics processing unity (GPU) and a multicore central processing unit (CPU). We introduce novel techniques for the alignment process and construct a computational pipeline of overlapped CPU and GPU stages. We compare our tool with the BWA-mem alignment tool, and the results show substantial speedups.
KLF2-mediated disruption of PPAR-γ signaling in lymphatic endothelial cells exposed to chronically increased pulmonary lymph flow

Lymphatic endothelial cells, when exposed in vivo to chronically elevated pulmonary lymph flow in a model of congenital heart disease with increased pulmonary blood flow, demonstrate Kruppel-like f...
Engineered Violence: Confronting the Neutrality Problem and Violence in Engineering

Engineering educators continue to challenge the social/technical dichotomy by framing engineering as a set of non-neutral activities. Faced with the historical realities that engineers are often “hired-guns” for the military interventions and capital accumulation, educators have sought to establish new canons for engineering ethics that are based on paradigms of peace and critically engaged pedagogies. We aim to situate nuanced understandings of violence—as understood by 21st century social movements—into the larger goal of reorienting engineering ethics for a more peaceful and socially just world. Literature is presented about particularly challenging what we identify as the “neutrality problem” in engineering education. We argue that theories of interpersonal and structural violence will better help engineers confront the neutrality problem in classrooms and workplaces. Our ultimate goal is to open up a larger research agenda on violence for engineering educators and practitioners.
Testing the capacity of polyethylene mesh as strengthening aggregate for concrete

Plastic is commonly known as the non-biodegradable material that is widely used in different products. Plastics can be used in various ways; in fact, it is widely utilized in the field of construction and engineering consuming 9.6 million tons of plastic last 2014 (PlasticsEurope, 2016). In this paper, the researchers focused on the different effects of plastic materials on the strength of concrete. Numerous studies showed different results of the compressive strength of plastic. Safinia and Alkalbani (2016) reported that using recycle plastic bottles as additives can increase the compressive strength by 57%. However, Jibrael and Peter (2016) argued that using waste plastic bottles reduces the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength of concrete. This research further investigated the gap in the existing literature by testing the capacity of plastic — polyethylene mesh as strengthening aggregate for concrete. The research is composed of two separate experiments: the first experiment tested the compressive strength of concrete with polyethylene mesh aggregate, and the second experiment showed the diminishing effects on the compressive strength of polyethylene mesh aggregate concrete. Both experiments were tested in three trials per set-up using the hydraulic press as the tool to measure compressive strength in metric tons. The concrete mixture was made with mixing water, cement, and sand with 2:3 ratio between cement and sand consisting 400 mL of cement, and 600 mL of sand. The first experiment focused on comparing the compressive strength between the standard concrete and the polyethylene mesh concrete. The hypothesis: “If two sheets of polyethylene mesh is added to the concrete, then that concrete will have the highest compressive strength.” The hypothesis was tested through an experimentation and a statistical test (F-Test). The experiment had a total of 9 samples with three setups: the first set-up had no polyethylene mesh added; which is also serves as the control set-up, the second set-up had one sheet of polyethylene mesh and the third set-up had two sheets of polyethylene mesh. A small metal bar was used together with the piston of the hydraulic press in the first experiment. This may be a factor that possibly made a difference between the results of the first and the second experiment. The statistical result showed a p — value of 0.0004 and an F — score of 39.335 which was larger than the alpha value of 0.05 which means there was statistical difference between the 3 set — ups. The results showed that the set-up with the 2 sheets of polyethylene mesh has the highest compressive strength among all the set-ups, proving the researchers' hypothesis correct.
Diversity in the Cow Ultralong CDR H3 Antibody Repertoire

Typical antibodies found in humans and mice usually have short CDR H3s and generally flat binding surfaces. However, cows possess a subset of antibodies with ultralong CDR H3s that can range up to 70 amino acids and form a unique "stalk and knob" structure, with the knob protruding far out of the antibody surface, where it has the potential to bind antigens with concave epitopes. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) has a proven role in diversifying antibody repertoires in humoral immunity, and it has been found to induce somatic hypermutation in bovine immunoglobulin genes both before and after contact with antigen. Due to limited use of variable and diversity genes in the V(D)J recombination events that produce ultralong CDR H3 antibodies in cows, the diversity in the bovine ultralong antibody repertoire has been proposed to rely on AID-induced mutations targeted to the IGHD8-2 gene that encodes the entire knob region. In this review, we discuss the genetics, structures, and diversity of bovine ultralong antibodies, as well as the role of AID in creating a diverse antibody repertoire.
Increase in short-term risk of rejection in heart transplant patients receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

BACKGROUND Neutropenia is a significant adverse event after heart transplantation (HT) and increases infection risk. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used in patients with neutropenia. In this work, we assessed the adverse effects of G-CSF treatment in the setting of a university hospital. METHODS Data on HT patients from January 2008 to July 2016 were reviewed. Patients who received G-CSF were identified and compared with patients without a history of therapy. Baseline characteristics, rejection episodes, and outcomes were collected. Data were analyzed by incidence rates, time to rejection and survival were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves , and odds ratios were generated using logistic regression analysis . RESULTS Two hundred twenty-two HT patients were studied and 40 (18%) received G-CSF for a total of 85 total neutropenic events (0.79 event/patient year). There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. In the 3 months after G-CSF, the incidence rate of rejection was 0.067 event/month. In all other time periods considered free of G-CSF effect, the incidence rate was 0.011 event/month. This rate was similar to the overall incidence rate in the non-GCSF group, which was 0.010 event/month. There was a significant difference between the incidence rates in the G-CSF group at 0 to 3 months after G-CSF administration and the non-GCSF group (p = 0.04), but not for the other time periods (p = 0.5). Freedom from rejection in the 3 months after G-CSF administration was 87.5% compared with 97.5% in the non-GCSF group (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS G-CSF administration was found to be associated with significant short-term risk of rejection. This suggests the need for increased surveillance during this time period.
Rickets: The Skeletal Disorders of Impaired Calcium or Phosphate Availability

Rickets derives from the old English word “wrikken” meaning to twist or bend and refers to conditions of impaired mineralization of growing bones, ultimately resulting in their bowing and twisting. Rickets and osteomalacia refer to similar processes occurring in different compartments of the bone. Rickets is evident histologically and radiographically as a disorganized and expanded growth plate (physis) of the growing bone, together with the accompanying osteomalacia (accumulation of excess unmineralized osteoid matrix due to a delayed mineral apposition rate) of the trabecular and cortical bone. Children with untreated rickets may develop severe curvature deformities of the lower extremities, primarily due to the effect of weight bearing on an under-mineralized skeleton. This chapter will describe the pathophysiology and clinical diagnostic and treatment approach to rickets from a variety of calciopenic and phosphopenic causes.
Complex Cardiac Surgery

During the past several decades. impressive progress has been made in cardiovascular surgery. Correction of most lesions and anomalies has become routine. Some of the more complex problems, however, still challenge the surgeon. In some instances, procedures that were once routine, such as coronary artery bypass, have become more complex. In the case of coronary bypass, this change occurred as surgeons began to search for better bypass conduits. This report describes a few of these complex problems.