cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Essential Collaboration: GIS and the Academic Library

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as part of the academic library is central on the campus and succeeds with collaboration—in the library, across campus, in the community and region, throughout the state, and at the national level. The integrated components of GIS—hardware, software, data, people, and methods—provide a framework for collaboration. Initiated in 2001, the Geographic Information Systems & Maps Program at the University of Arkansas (UA) Libraries resulted from and developed through collaborative opportunities. The program, which is primarily web based, incorporates locally developed yet nationally recognized resources including Starting the Hunt—a guide to geospatial data on the Web—and GeoStor—a statewide, comprehensive and seamless geospatial data warehouse and delivery system. A model incorporating spheres of collaboration describes the nature and benefits of collaboration at the five different levels, as experienced in the UA Libraries. The model can guide other libraries proa...
Relationships between the winding angle, the characteristic radius, and the torque for a long polymer chain wound around a cylinder: implications for RNA winding around DNA during transcription.

Long polymer chains are ubiquitous in biological systems and their mechanical properties have significant impact upon biological processes. Of particular interest is the situation in which polymer chains are wound around each other or around other objects. We have analyzed the parameters of a long Gaussian polymer chain wound around a cylinder as a function of the torque applied to the ends of the chain. We have shown that for sufficiently long polymer chains, an average winding angle and a characteristic radius of the chain can be determined from a modified Bessel function of purely imaginary order, in which the value of the order is equivalent to the applied torque, normalized to the product of the absolute temperature and the Boltzmann constant. The obtained results are consistent with a simplified interpretation in terms of ``torsional blobs,'' and this could be extended to nonideal chains with excluded volumes. We have also extended our results to the case of a polymer chain rotating in viscous medium. Our results could be used to estimate the mechanical strains that appear in DNA and RNA during transcription, as these might initiate formation of unusual DNA structures, invasion of RNA into the DNA duplex ($R$-loop formation), and modulation of the interactions of DNA and RNA with proteins.
Dipstick Spot urine pH does not accurately represent 24 hour urine PH measured by an electrode

Objectives To determine whether spot urine pH measured by dipstick is an accurate representation of 24 hours urine pH measured by an electrode. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed urine pH results of patients who presented to the urology stone clinic. For each patient we recorded the most recent pH result measured by dipstick from a spot urine sample that preceded the result of a 24-hour urine pH measured by the use of a pH electrode. Patients were excluded if there was a change in medications or dietary recommendations or if the two samples were more than 4 months apart. A difference of more than 0.5 pH was considered an inaccurate result. Results A total 600 patients were retrospectively reviewed for the pH results. The mean difference in pH between spot urine value and the 24 hours collection values was 0.52±0.45 pH. Higher pH was associated with lower accuracy (p 6.5. Samples taken more than 75 days apart had only 49% the accuracy of more recent samples (p<0.002). The overall accuracy is lower than 80% (p<0.001). Influence of diurnal variation was not significant (p=0.588). Conclusions Spot urine pH by dipstick is not an accurate method for evaluation of the patients with urolithiasis. Patients with alkaline urine are more prone to error with reliance on spot urine pH.
Chromosome segregation influenced by two alleles of the meiotic mutant c(3)G in Drosophila melanogaster.

c(3)G is a gene in Drosophila melanogaster defined by two independently isolated mutants on the third chromosome. When homozygous in females, the mutants— c(3)G 17 or c(3)G 68 —result in the elimination of meiotic crossing over and a great increase in nondisjunction at the first meiotic division. The gametic frequency of X-, second-, or third-chromosome nondisjunction is approximately .3 in c(3)G 17 , and .4 in c(3)G 68 ; for the fourth chromosome, the frequency is .2 in c(3)G 17 and .3 in c(3)G 68 . These values are at least two hundred fold greater than for spontaneous nondisjunction, though not high enough to indicate that chromosomes are distributed at random to the first meiotic division poles. Chromosomes loss is inferred from an excess of nullo-exceptional over diplo-exceptional ova. Loss is more frequent in c(3)G 68 . If c(3)G females mate at low temperature, crossing over is still absent, but nondisjunction is decreased. c(3)G 17 is more temperature sensitive than c(3)G 68 . —Nonhomologous chromosomes tend to undergo nondisjunction in the same meiotic cells in c(3)G. Moreover, there is substantial nonhomologous pairing involving the larger chromosomes of the genome, inferred from the tendency for nonhomologs to disjoin from each other. Nonhomologous segregation is not observed between chromosome 4 and any other chromosome. c(3)G 68 exhibits more nonhomologous segregation than does c(3)G 17 , and, for either allele, the degree of nonhomologous segregation is directly proportional to the similarity in length of the two nonhomologs being considered. The degree of nonhomologous segregation is increased at low temperature.—Heterozygosity for inversions tends to increase c(3)G -mediated nondisjunction, and to alter the patterns of nonhomologous segregations. The effects are observed even if the inversion does not disrupt centromeric heterochromatin, and even though the inversions do not change the lengths of the chromosomes involved. In XXY females, c(3)G 17 shows more separation of the two X’s from the Y chromo-some than does c(3)G 68 . Fourth-chromosome nondisjunction is increased by the presence of a Y chromosome in both kinds of mutant females. But in XXY;c(3)G females which are also heterozygous for an X inversion, frequencies of fourth-chromosome nondisjunction are little different from those in XX; c(3)G females, while the degrees of XX -from- Y disjunction are increased.—The chromosome behavior of the two alleles of c(3)G is readily rationalized by a model which assumes that c(3)G+ controls a stage of meiosis prior to synapsis and crossing over. If exchange is directly disrupted in c(3)G homozygotes, disjunctional consequences should be the same in c(3)G 17 and c(3)G 68 . They are not. If, however, c(3)G+ controls a precondition to crossing over—such as the association of homologous and nonhomologous chromosomes—then the two alleles could each abolish crossing over, but lead to different amounts and patterns of nondisjunction.
A Delicate Balance: Liberty and Security in the Age of Terrorism (Foreword)

In this foreword to the Drake Law Symposium titled “Eyes and Ears Everywhere? Privacy in an Age of Government and Technological Intrusion,” I place the debate over mass surveillance in a global and historical context. My short essay makes three main points. First, although the technologies of modern surveillance are new and powerful, the fundamental constitutional questions raised by modern security measures are as old as the nation itself. Second, American history makes it abundantly clear that the government has a long history of violating civil liberties in the name of national security. Third, concerns over government surveillance techniques must be assessed with the context of the very real security threats faced by the United States. Indeed, just as the government has a long record of violating civil liberties, it also has a long history of failing to guard against threats to national security. Accordingly, in order to achieve the twin goals of protecting the nation while preserving the Constitution, we must continually strive to find the right balance between liberty and security. In finding that balance, America’s commitment to the rule of law is more important than ever.
Land Use Changes from Unconventional Gas Development in Public Lands of the Fayetteville Shale

ABSTRACT: Changes in drilling practices in the oil and gas industry have opened new regions to energy development across much of the United States, including areas that have large holdings of public lands of high conservation value. Using satellite images and GIS techniques, we measured public land use changes in the Fayetteville Shale, a region in north-central Arkansas that has undergone rapid natural gas development in the last 10 years. These public lands showed less development of gas infrastructure compared to the larger gas field, which is mostly privately owned. Gas activities led to less natural forest loss and edge habitat creation in public lands compared to private lands. However, one large public land property (Gulf Mountain Wildlife Management Area) showed much more development compared to the overall gas field (about 20% higher). This disparity was most likely due to differences in regulation and controversial leases that were allowed for this wildlife management area early in the Fayettevi...
An Overview of Global Wheat Market Fundamentals in an Era of Climate Concerns

Wheat is a key global commodity in terms of acreage and tradeable value and as a staple in household diets. Many factors affect wheat prices including climate, yields, oil prices, lagged prices, and imports. In addition to gradually and consistently increasing global wheat demand, these market drivers are posited to impact world prices and, ultimately, food security. To investigate how these factors differentially influence wheat markets, an extensive survey of literature regarding wheat market fundamentals was conducted, as well as a trend analysis using a uniquely compiled data set specific to significant wheat-producing areas. Previous studies show that imports, climate, oil prices, and past prices, among other factors, have a significant relationship with changes in the world wheat price. This study compiles and compares these same key variables from five major wheat export countries/regions for the time frame from 1980 to 2013.
Role of narrative skills on reading comprehension: Spanish–English and Cantonese–English dual language learners

This longitudinal study examined the role of narrative skills in English reading comprehension, after controlling for vocabulary and decoding, with a sample of 112 dual language learners (DLLs), including both Spanish–English and Cantonese–English children. Decoding, vocabulary, and narrative samples were collected in the winter of first grade and reading comprehension skills were assessed on the same children 1 year later in second grade. Spanish–English DLLs had significantly lower English receptive vocabulary but higher L1 receptive vocabulary than their Cantonese peers. At the same time, Spanish–English DLLs scored lower than Cantonese–English DLLs on English reading comprehension. There were no differences in English reading comprehension between DLL children in bilingual programs and those in mainstream English programs after controlling for L1. Multiple regression results show that English decoding and English vocabulary explain a significant portion of the variance in English reading comprehension. Regression results also revealed a significant, albeit small, effect of narrative quality (both within- and cross-language) on English reading comprehension 1 year later, after controlling for English decoding and English vocabulary. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Quality Assurance and Evaluation of Change for Patent Metadata

Presented at the 2017 Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) Annual Conference. This poster describes a study of metadata quality assurance within the Texas Patents Collection of The Portal to Texas History.
2011 APSA Teaching and Learning Conference Track Summaries: Track: Program Assessment

Assessment, particularly program assessment, has reached a new height in the APSA with the publication of an edited volume, Assessment in Political Science (2008), followed by the appointment in 2010 of an association-wide working group on assessment. This task force has been asked to investigate current practices in program assessment and make recommendations regarding the role that the APSA should play to help departments and faculty conduct assessment better. Track participants were encouraged to think about how the issues they raised could help guide the APSA's overall approach to assessment.
CHARACTERIZATION OF A 32 KILODALTON HERBICIDE-BINDING POLYPEPTIDE

Abstract We have obtained a highly purified PS II particle from digitonin-solubilized chloroplast thylakoids. This contains two reaction center polypeptides plus two proteins in the 29–34 Kilodalton (Kd) size class and cytochrome b559. One of these binds the photoaffinity herbicide azido-atrazine. The same polypeptide is also labeled in vivo by 35S-methionine as a result of its rapid turnover. We conclude that chloroplast thylakoids contain at least three polypeptides with apparent molecular weight near 32 Kd. One of these is an integral component of the photosystem II core complex that is the site of triazine herbicide binding.
Bactericidal effect of chlorine on attached salmonellae with and without sonification

Broiler breast skin was immersed in a Salmonella typhimurium cell suspension for 0.25, 30, or 60 min, then i) shaken for 1 min or stirred for 30 min in a Cl2 solution with 0.5 ppm free residual Cl2 and ii) sonified for 15 or 30 min with or without chlorine (0.5 ppm free residual). Data showed that attached/entrapped salmonellae are not readily accessible to chlorine. Salmonellae were reduced by <1 log10 by chlorine. Sonification seemed to detach attached/entrapped cells thus reducing counts by 1 to 1.5 logs. Sonification of skin in a chlorine solution was the most effective treatment which reduced Salmonella counts by 2.44 to 3.93 logs.
Intelligent Optimal Design of CMAC Neural Network for Robot Manipulators

This chapter presents the application of quadratic optimization for motion control to feedback control of robotic systems using Cerebellar Model Arithmetic Computer (CMAC) neural networks. Explicit solutions to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (H-J-B) equation for optimal control of robotic systems are found by solving an algebraic Riccati equation. It is shown how CMAC can cope with nonlinearities through optimization with no preliminary off-line learning phase required. The adaptive learning algorithm is derived from Lyapunov stability analysis, so that both system tracking stability and error convergence can be guaranteed in the closed-loop system. The filtered tracking error or critic gain and the Lyapunov function for the nonlinear analysis are derived from the user input in terms of a specified quadratic performance index. Simulation results on a two-link robot manipulator show the satisfactory performance of the proposed control schemes even in the presence of large modeling uncertainties and external disturbances.
Select Biomarkers on the Day of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Predict Poor Patient-Reported Outcomes at 2-Year Follow-Up: A Pilot Study

Background. The majority of patients develop posttraumatic osteoarthritis within 15 years of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Inflammatory and chondrodegenerative biomarkers have been associated with both pain and the progression of osteoarthritis; however, it remains unclear if preoperative biomarkers differ for patients with inferior postoperative outcomes. Hypothesis/Purpose. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare biomarkers collected on the day of ACL reconstruction between patients with “good” or “poor” 2-year postoperative outcomes. We hypothesized that inflammatory cytokines and chondrodegenerative biomarker concentrations would be significantly greater in patients with poorer outcomes. Study Design. Prospective cohort design. Methods. 22 patients (9 females, 13 males; age = years; BMI = kg/m2) previously enrolled in a randomized trial evaluating early anti-inflammatory treatment after ACL injury. Biomarkers of chondrodegeneration and inflammation were assessed from synovial fluid (sf) samples collected on the day of ACL reconstruction. Participants completed Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaires two years following surgery. Patients were then categorized based on whether their KOOS Quality of Life (QOL) score surpassed the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) threshold of 62.5 points or the IKDC PASS threshold of 75.9 points. Results. Patients that failed to reach the QOL PASS threshold after surgery (n = 6, 27%) had significantly greater sf interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α; p = 0.004), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra; p = 0.03), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9; p = 0.01) concentrations on the day of surgery. Patients that failed to reach the IKDC PASS threshold (n = 9, 41%) had significantly greater sf IL-1α (p = 0.02). Conclusion. These pilot data suggest that initial biochemical changes after injury may be an indicator of poor outcomes that are not mitigated by surgical stabilization alone. Biological adjuvant treatment in addition to ACL reconstruction may be beneficial; however, these data should be used for hypothesis generation and more definitive randomized clinical trials are necessary.
Bioelectronics with nanocarbons

Characterizing the electrical activity of cardiomyocytes and neurons is crucial in understanding the complex processes in the heart and brain tissues, both in healthy and diseased states. Micro- and nanotechnologies have significantly improved the electrophysiological investigation of cellular networks. Carbon-based nanomaterials or nanocarbons, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanodiamonds (NDs) and graphene are promising building blocks for bioelectronics platforms owing to their outstanding chemical and physical properties. In this review, we discuss the various bioelectronics applications of nanocarbons and their derivatives. Furthermore, we touch upon the challenges that remain in the field and describe the emergence of carbon-based hybrid-nanomaterials that will potentially address those limitations, thus improving the capabilities to investigate the electrophysiology of excitable cells, both as a network and at the single cell level.
Catalyst: How Cryo-EM Shapes the Development of Next-Generation Batteries

Yi Cui received his BS in chemistry (1998) from the University of Science and Technology of China and PhD in chemistry (2002) from Harvard University. He is now a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University with a joint appointment in the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Prof. Cui is an authority in the design of nanoscale materials and their implementation in a wide variety of existing and novel technologies. His group studies the fundamental properties of nanomaterials and develops innovative methods and technologies to create and use them to address real-world challenges. Yuzhang Li received his BS in chemical engineering (2013) from the University of California, Berkeley. He is now a PhD student working with Prof. Cui. Yanbin Li received his BA in physics (2013) from the University of Science and Technology of China. He is now a PhD student working with Prof. Cui.
Breaking the Frame: Amy Waldman's The Submission and 9/11 Memorials

This essay analyzes how various memorials create physical, temporal, and literary space for reflection about the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. As a New York Times reporter, Amy Waldman contributed in 2001 to the “Portraits of Grief” before publishing in 2011 The Submission, her novel about the memorial-building process. Juxtaposing Waldman's fiction and journalism with the Reflecting Absence memorial in New York and Columbia University's 9/11 Oral History Project, the essay explores how memorialization of the attacks can build space for democratic debate rather than just a public monument to the idea of national grief.
Creating and Confirming a Positive Sporting Climate.

Very limited research explains students' responses to specific motivational climates in sport, and many physical educators do little more than casually observe the sporting behaviors of students in...
Use of a simulation-based advanced resuscitation training curriculum: Impact on cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and patient outcomes.

BackgroundDespite a continued focus on improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality, survival remains low from in-hospital cardiac arrest. Advanced Resuscitation Training has been shown to improv...
Can pyoderma in dogs be treated with fewer antibiotics

Staphylococcal skin infections, generally referred to as pyoderma, are a very common reason for the prescription of antimicrobials for pet dogs.1-3 These infections, usually involving Staphylococcus pseudintermedius , vary in severity based on the depth of infection, the location on the body, the extent of body surface involved, the dog’s general health status and any underlying skin disease.4 Superficial staphylococcal lesions consist of papules, pustules and/or epidermal collarettes (Fig 1), while deep skin infection generally presents with furuncles, draining tracts and/or haemorrhage from erythematous and oedematous skin (Fig 2). Fig 1: Papules, pustules and epidermal collarettes in the inguinal region of a dog. These lesions are typical of superficial staphylococcal pyoderma Fig 2: Ruptured interdigital furuncle with oedema and haemorrhage. This is a common location and clinical presentation of deep staphylococcal pyoderma Topical disinfectant therapies are often sufficient to treat superficial skin infections, but may not be sufficient in cases of severe, widespread or deep infection.5,6 In cases where using a topical disinfectant alone cannot treat the infection, systemic antimicrobial therapy is often required. However, increasing antimicrobial resistance presents a therapeutic challenge to veterinarians around the globe.3,7,8 As such, there is currently much interest in alternatives to antimicrobials to treat canine pyoderma. These alternatives include topical treatments such as ionophores, medical-grade honey, plant-derived oils and even ultraviolet light.9-12 #### What you need to know
Testing homogeneity of several normal population means based on an interval hypothesis

Testing the homogeneity of k normal population means usually refers to testing the standard null hypothesis that all mean values are equal. In this paper, we investigate the testing of interval hyp...
Nanotopography enhances dynamic remodeling of tight junction proteins through cytosolic complexes

Abstract The epithelial tight junction regulates barrier function and is responsive to extracellular stimuli. Here we demonstrated that contact of synthetic surfaces with defined nanotopography at the apical surface of epithelial monolayers increased paracellular permeability of macromolecules. To monitor changes in tight junction morphology in live cells, we fluorescently tagged the scaffold protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) through CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing. Contact between cells and nanostructured surfaces destabilized junction-associated ZO-1 and promoted its arrangement into highly dynamic non-junctional cytosolic complexes that averaged ∼2 μm in diameter. Junction-associated ZO-1 rapidly remodeled, and we also observed the direct transformation of cytosolic complexes into junction-like structures. Claudin-family tight junction transmembrane proteins and F-actin also were associated with these ZO-1 containing cytosolic complexes. These data suggest that the cytosolic structures are novel intermediates formed in response to nanotopographic cues that facilitate rapid tight junction remodeling in order to regulate paracellular permeability.
Postharvest treatment research at USDA-ARS: stored product fumigation: Presentation

The overall goal of this USDA-ARS research is to ensure the protection and quality of stored product foodstuffs. The results of this research directly enhance production, distribution, and safety of foodstuffs, promote and retain access of United States-grown crops to domestic and foreign markets, and protect the United States and trading partners from the agricultural, ecological and economic threat posed by quarantine and invasive pests. In general, USDA-ARS research related to the fumigation of stored products focuses on the development of techniques to rapidly disinfest raw products of field pests, control pests in processed products amenable to reinfestation and microbial infection, and reduce reliance on fumigation as a stand-alone measure for postharvest disinfestations and disinfections. Specific research objectives include: comparative evaluation of alternative fumigants to methyl bromide in postharvest applications, development of novel technologies to reduce and eliminate atmospheric emissions from chambers used in postharvest fumigation, and design production strategies that allow for a more strategic postharvest use of methyl bromide and alternative fumigants. Recent research findings will be presented and discussed, including: exposure requirements of phosphine on key stored product pests (as related to resistance management), the establishment of efficacy and experimental criterion for quarantine applications, and the development of models to quantitatively understand the underpinnings of fumigations and related phytosanitary treatments.
An Accidental Genetic Epidemiologist.

I briefly describe my early life and how, through a series of serendipitous events, I became a genetic epidemiologist. I discuss how the Elston–Stewart algorithm was discovered and its contribution...
Survey to Explore Behavior, Intelligent Transportation Systems Needs, and Level of Service Expectations for Student Parking at a University Campus:

University campuses generate large volumes of traffic, with students forming the largest user class with distinctive trip characteristics. This study examined the parking choices of students at a l...
Strong Polynomiality of the Value Iteration Algorithm for Computing Nearly Optimal Policies for Discounted Dynamic Programming

This note provides upper bounds on the number of operations required to compute by value iterations a nearly optimal policy for an infinite-horizon discounted Markov decision process with a finite number of states and actions. For a given discount factor, magnitude of the reward function, and desired closeness to optimality, these upper bounds are strongly polynomial in the number of state-action pairs, and one of the provided upper bounds has the property that it is a non-decreasing function of the value of the discount factor.
Cardio-pulmonary substructure segmentation of radiotherapy computed tomography images using convolutional neural networks for clinical outcomes analysis.

Abstract Background and purpose Radiation dose to the cardio-pulmonary system is critical for radiotherapy-induced mortality in non-small cell lung cancer. Our goal was to automatically segment substructures of the cardio-pulmonary system for use in outcomes analyses for thoracic cancers. We built and validated a multi-label Deep Learning Segmentation (DLS) model for accurate auto-segmentation of twelve cardio-pulmonary substructures. Materials and methods The DLS model utilized a convolutional neural network for segmenting substructures from 217 thoracic radiotherapy Computed Tomography (CT) scans. The model was built in the presence of variable image characteristics such as the absence/presence of contrast. We quantitatively evaluated the final model against expert contours for a hold-out dataset of 24 CT scans using Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), 95th Percentile of Hausdorff Distance and Dose-volume Histograms (DVH). DLS contours of an additional 25 scans were qualitatively evaluated by a radiation oncologist to determine their clinical acceptability. Results The DLS model reduced segmentation time per patient from about one hour to 10 s. Quantitatively, the highest accuracy was observed for the Heart (median DSC = (0.96 (0.95–0.97)). The median DSC for the remaining structures was between 0.81 and 0.93. No statistically significant difference was found between DVH metrics of the auto-generated and manual contours (p-value ⩾ 0.69). The expert judged that, on average, 85% of contours were qualitatively equivalent to state-of-the-art manual contouring. Conclusion The cardio-pulmonary DLS model performed well both quantitatively and qualitatively for all structures. This model has been incorporated into an open-source tool for the community to use for treatment planning and clinical outcomes analysis.
Gold(I)–NHC-catalysed synthesis of benzofurans via migratory cyclization of 2-alkynylaryl ethers

Homogeneous cationic gold(I) catalysis emerged as a preferred avenue for the activation of alkenes and alkynes towards reactions with weak nucleophiles, especially in cyclization reactions. Here we report an intramolecular carboalkoxylation reaction of electron-rich benzyl ethers of 2-ethynylaryl phenols catalysed by a digold(I)–NHC complex. The reaction proceeds efficiently with low catalyst loading and the resulting 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans form in moderate to good yields. Based on the results of a cross-over experiment, spectroscopic data, and DFT calculations, we propose a mechanism that accounts for the observed chemo- and regioselectivity.
A Survey on Network Calculus Tools for Network Infrastructure in Real-Time Systems

Network Calculus is an established analytical framework which can provide deterministic estimates of latency and buffer requirements for feed-forward packet-switched communication networks. Researchers find it useful in analyzing network performance in real-time systems. As there are several Network Calculus tools and software packages for estimating network performance, it is important to select suitable Network Calculus tools for network analysis problems. This article introduces twelve established tools for Network Calculus analysis and compares their advantages and disadvantages in terms of their applicability for various systems and analysis needs. We also provide recommendations for users to select the suitable tools for research. Five public tools, namely DiscoDNC, RTC Toolbox, Deborah, CyNC, and nc-tandem-tight, are chosen to analyze end-to-end delay in a series of tandem networks for their performance demonstration. Simulations of the same tandem networks are implemented to compare with the analytical results achieved by the Network Calculus tools. To our best knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study that compares existing tools of Network Calculus analysis for real-time system network infrastructure. Our aim is to provide quick guidance to research communities for selecting suitable tools to analyze delay performance of networks.
Risk factors, causes, and rates associated with hospital readmission after pediatric neck mass surgery.

Abstract Background To understand rates, risk factors, and costs associated with hospital readmission in pediatric patients who underwent neck mass excision. Methods This was a retrospective review of the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) between 2010 and 2014 of select neck mass procedures, defined as affecting the following: thyroid, salivary gland, cervical lymph nodes, branchial cleft, thymus, and head and neck vessels. We analyzed rates and causes of 30-day readmissions using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results There were a total of 11,824 weighted cases identified with a 30-day readmission rate of 9.0% and a mean age of 9.5 years old. The sex distribution of patients undergoing neck mass procedures was 55.8% female and 44.2% male. The most common cause of readmission was associated with a comorbid condition likely unrelated to the neck mass procedure (53%). The most common procedure-related readmission causes were associated with a postoperative neck mass (14.4%), wound (13%), and infection (6.5%). In the multivariate model, number of procedures≥5 (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.28–3.49), number of chronic conditions≥1 (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.16–4.66), length of hospital stay of≥7 days (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.48–0.3.98), and cervical lymph node procedure (OR:2.61, 95% CI: 1.47–4.63) were associated with higher readmission risk. Conclusion Readmission after surgery for pediatric neck masses is relatively common, with an average of 9.0%. Risk factors associated with readmission include length of initial hospital stay, number of chronic conditions, number of procedures performed, and undergoing a cervical lymph node procedure.
Identification of transcriptomic determinants to predict the efficacy of anti-EGFR treatment of colorectal cancer patients.

130Background: It is now well known that in colorectal cancer (CRC) activating mutations in KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF confer resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. However, only ~ 40% of patients with RASWT (...
Tree-Based Hardware Recursion for Divide-and-Conquer Algorithms

Recursion is a very efficient abstraction that can be found in definitions of many algorithms. However, recursion can be difficult to implement in hardware and as a result is not supported by the majority of high-level synthesis tools (HLS). This work introduces a new framework for implementing recursive functions in hardware, which we call TreeRecur. TreeRecur uses trees to represent the branching recursive function calls of divide-and-conquer algorithms, which makes it possible to take advantage of their procedure-level parallelism. To allow for design flexibility, TreeRecur executes algorithms using a configurable number of independent function processors. These processors are generated using HLS design flow, making it easy to implement a variety of different algorithms. Functionality of our framework was tested on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) using two simple algorithms and compared against software implementations of the same algorithms. Performance results were collected in terms of execution speed and energy consumption. The execution speeds of TreeRecur are shown to be comparable to software programs when differences in clock speed are accounted for and its energy consumption is up to 11 times better than the software solution’s.
Longitudinal effects of adverse childhood experiences on substance use transition patterns during young adulthood.

Abstract Background Few studies have investigated how adverse childhood experiences are associated with substance use patterns during young adulthood, a crucial developmental period. Objective The objective of this study was to extend current knowledge on the association between adverse childhood experiences and patterns of substance use among young adults. We also sought to understand how current mental health status and biological sex influences these patterns. Participants and setting The current study utilized wave 8–wave 11 data of a longitudinal cohort study (N = 2880). Methods We used latent transition analysis (LTA) to understand stability and transition patterns of substance use across participants who reported adverse childhood experiences (ACEs+) versus those who did not (ACEs−). Latent class regression was used to assess contemporaneous effects of mental health and sex on classes over time. Results Both groups had similar patterns of substance use emerge at each timepoint: High all; Binge, tobacco, cannabis; and Steady/increasing binge drinking. ACEs+ had a higher proportion of youth in the High all class and much higher stability in this class, compared to the ACEs− group. Those in the ACES+ group were less likely to transition out of a riskier class. Mental health and sex showed differential effects across ACEs groups. Conclusion Results point to increased risk of polysubstance use, including opioids and prescription medications, among those who reported adverse childhood events. Future work may explore protective, malleable, factors that may confer reduced risk of long-term polysubstance use.
Review: Prevalence of Addictions among Transgender and Gender Diverse Subgroups

We conducted an analysis of the prevalence of substance and behavioral addictions across different transgender and gender diverse (TGD) subgroups. We performed a scoping review using MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases and examined 12 addictions, including alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, illicit drugs, gambling, eating/food, internet, sex, love, exercise, work, and shopping. We presented prevalence rates for each addiction as a function of an individual's gender identity (stratified into transgender females, transgender males, and gender nonconforming), and used cisgender women and men as reference groups. We included 55 studies in our final analysis, the majority of which investigated substance use disorders among TGD subgroups. Overall findings indicated that substantial differences in substance use exist among US TGD subgroups. There were far fewer publications that examined the prevalence of behavioral addictions across TGD subgroups. However, despite limited research in this area, findings still suggest that notable differences in behavioral addictions may exist between individual TGD subgroups. The conclusions of our review may provide clinicians with a better ability to screen for and treat at-risk individuals within the TGD community.
Interferons with special emphasis on the immune system

Publisher Summary First described in 1957, interferons are induced animal proteins. A variety of stimulating substances can act as interferon inducers, and interferons inhibit a wide range of viruses by inducing an intracellular antiviral state; however, many interferons are species-specific in their antiviral activity. The suggestion that a few thousand molecules of interferon may induce an antiviral state indicates that they are among the most active biological substances. There are three general types of human interferon, designated alpha, beta, and gamma. When stimulated with virus, leukocytes in cultures produce predominantly the species called “alpha interferon.” There are at least 14 distinct genes for human alpha interferon. Most alpha interferons contain little or no carbohydrate. While human-beta interferon is usually species-specific and for the most part induces antiviral activity only in human cells, human-alpha interferons induce activity in human as well as some animal cell cultures. Gama interferon is antigenically distinct from them and is more labile to acid. Most alpha and beta interferons are quite stable at pH 2, while the antiviral activity of gamma interferon is significantly reduced.
The making of an entrepreneurial science: biotechnology in Britain, 1975-1995.

ABSTRACTMonoclonal antibodies played a key role in the development of the biotechnology industry of the 1980s and 1990s. Investments in the sector and commercial returns have rivaled those of recombinant DNA technologies. Although the monoclonal antibody technology was first developed in Britain, the first patents were taken out by American scientists. During the first Thatcher government in Britain, blame for the missed opportunity fell on the scientists involved as well as on the National Research and Development Corporation, which had been put in place after World War II to avoid a repeat of the penicillin story, when patent rights were not sought. Instead of apportioning the blame, this essay suggests that despite past experiences and despite the new channels that were in place, Britain was not in a “patent culture” in the 1970s. It traces the long and painful process that made a commercial attitude among publicly funded British research scientists and in a civil service institution like the Medical R...
The Financial Bailout

This paper analyzes the financial bailout in the USA from the perspectives of utilitarian ethics and property rights. The article concludes that bailouts cannot be justified on ethical grounds.
Selective coexpression of insulin receptor-related receptor (IRR) and TRK in NGF-sensitive neurons

The insulin receptor-related receptor (IRR) has recently been identified as a member of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase family; however, its endogenous ligand and biological function are still unknown. In contrast to the very widespread pattern of expression of the homologous insulin and IGF-I receptors, IRR demonstrates a very restricted cellular distribution. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we now show that the expression of this receptor is selectively concentrated in a subset of neurons where its appearance is closely associated with that of the NGF receptor TRK. IRR and TRK demonstrate synchronized patterns of coexpression in neural crest- derived sensory and sympathetic neurons and in non-neural crest basal forebrain and striatal neurons. Both appear early in the embryonic development of dorsal root and trigeminal neurons and somewhat later, near the time of birth, in sympathetic neurons. Expression of both IRR and TRK appears perinatally in basal forebrain neurons, reaching maximal levels about postnatal day 20. This association is highly selective, since TRK mRNA is not detected anywhere in the developing nervous system in the absence of coordinate IRR expression, and the same is true for IRR expression with respect to TRK. In the adult rat, the majority of TRK-positive sensory neurons still express IRR mRNA, and coexpression in sympathetic and forebrain neurons continues without evidence of diminution. These findings are consistent with a functional linkage of the IRR and TRK receptors in NGF-sensitive neurons.
The multiple identities of sustainability

Purpose – Sustainability is one of the most complex composite constructs to have emerged in the last decades. Having a clear understanding of its meanings is critical as actions based on these understandings impact all walks of life. The purpose of this paper is to track the conceptualizations and measurements of sustainable development in the areas of government, business, education, and the trades. Design/methodology/approach – Through a multi-method design, the authors explore what stakeholders in these groups value in sustainability by observing where they develop initiatives, invest funds, and report progress. Findings – What emerges is a picture of diverse views and multiple identities, driven by distinct logics and motives. Originality/value – Based on these findings, the authors propose that, instead of reconciling these diverse perspectives, the authors might focus on constructing shared understandings around critical values.
Mouse cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide chemoattracts leukocytes using formyl peptide receptor-like 1/mouse formyl peptide receptor-like 2 as the receptor and acts as an immune adjuvant

Mammalian antimicrobial proteins, such as defensins and cathelicidin, have stimulating effects on host leukocytes. Cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP), the orthologue of human cathelicidin/LL-37, is the sole identified murine cathelicidin. CRAMP has been shown to have both antimicrobial and angiogenic activities. However, whether CRAMP, like human cathelicidin/LL-37, also exhibits a direct effect on the migration and function of leukocytes is not known. We have observed that CRAMP, like LL-37, was chemotactic for human monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, and mouse peripheral blood leukocytes. CRAMP also induced calcium mobilization and the activation of MAPK in monocytes. CRAMP-induced calcium flux in monocytes was desensitized by MMK-1, an agonistic ligand specific for formyl peptide receptor-like-1 (FPRL1), and vice versa, suggesting the use of FPRL1 by CRAMP as a receptor. Furthermore, CRAMP induced the chemotaxis of human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with either FPRL1 or mouse formyl peptide receptor-2, the mouse homologue of FPRL1, but not by untransfected parental human embryonic kidney 293 cells, confirming the use of FPRL1/mouse formyl peptide receptor-2 by CRAMP. Injection of CRAMP into mouse air pouches resulted in the recruitment predominantly of neutrophils and monocytes, indicating that CRAMP acts as a chemotactic factor in vivo. Finally, simultaneous administration of OVA with CRAMP to mice promoted both humoral and cellular Ag-specific immune responses. Thus, CRAMP functions as both a chemoattractant for phagocytic leukocytes and an enhancer of adaptive immune response.
Building the Case for Clopidogrel as a World Health Organization Essential Medicine

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines essential medicines as medicines that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population.1 These medicines are selected by the WHO based on their public health relevance, international availability, treatment details, efficacy and safety, comparative cost-effectiveness, the need for special requirements or training needed for the safe/appropriate use of the medicine, and regulatory status.1 The medicines that are considered highest priority are included on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines or Essential Medicines List (EML). The EML was first published in 1977 and is revised every 2 years by an expert committee. It serves as a catalog of critical medicines and informs purchasing decisions of low- and middle-income country (LMIC) governments.1,2 Most individual nations align the WHO EML with the epidemiological profile and health priorities of their population to create a national EML.3 Medicines on the national EML are then subsidized by the public sector, making them more affordable to the general population.4 For example, in the national Mutuelle insurance system in Rwanda, members are eligible to receive national EML drugs for outpatient treatment with only a 10% copayment.3,5 In November 2012, the WHO announced its target to reduce the risk of premature mortality related to noncommunicable diseases by 25% by the year 2025.6 This goal is to be achieved, in part, through a health system target that assures availability of essential medicines and technologies to treat noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), to at least 50% of eligible individuals. The 18th edition of the WHO EML includes several drugs for the treatment and control of acute and chronic CVDs, including aspirin, streptokinase, heparin, simvastatin, bisoprolol, and enalapril.7 However, clopidogrel, a thienopyridine often used in conjunction with aspirin as a second antiplatelet …