cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design of irreversible optical nanothermometers for thermal ablations

Nanothermometers composed from a gold nanorod core, temperature sensitive linker and fluorescent dye are reported. The nanothermometers have low fluorescence due to a self-quenching mechanism at temperatures below 50 °C and become highly fluorescence above 70 °C.
A fully-integrated flexible photonic platform for chip-to-chip optical interconnects

We analyze a chip-to-chip optical interconnect platform based on our recently developed flexible substrate integration technology. We show that the architecture achieves high integration density, low energy-per-bit, and does not require optical alignment during packaging.
Efficient rational sampling rate alteration using IIR filters

The problem of changing the sampling rate of a signal by a rational factor of L/M is discussed. It is shown that infinite impulse response (IIR) filters can be efficiently implemented using the polyphase decomposition. The computational cost of the recursive and nonrecursive parts of the interpolation filter are considered separately, and a gain in efficiency of a factor of LM/(L+M-1) is achieved for the recursive part. This gain is only significant when both L and M are larger than one.
The SsrA-SmpB Ribosome Rescue System Is Important for Growth of Bacillus subtilis at Low and High Temperatures

Bacillus subtilis has multiple stress response systems whose integrated action promotes growth and survival under unfavorable conditions. Here we address the function and transcriptional organization of a five-gene cluster containing ssrA, previously known to be important for growth at high temperature because of the role of its tmRNA product in rescuing stalled ribosomes. Reverse transcription-PCR experiments detected a single message for the secG-yvaK-rnr-smpB-ssrA cluster, suggesting that it constitutes an operon. However, rapid amplification of cDNA ends-PCR and lacZ fusion experiments indicated that operon transcription is complex, with at least five promoters controlling different segments of the cluster. One σA-like promoter preceded secG (P1), and internal σA-like promoters were found in both the rnr-smpB (P2) and smpB-ssrA intervals (P3 and PHS). Another internal promoter lay in the secG-yvaK intercistronic region, and this activity (PB) was dependent on the general stress factor σB. Null mutations in the four genes downstream from PB were tested for their effects on growth. Loss of yvaK (carboxylesterase E) or rnr (RNase R) caused no obvious phenotype. By contrast, smpB was required for growth at high temperature (52°C), as anticipated if its product (a small ribosomal binding protein) is essential for tmRNA (ssrA) function. Notably, smpB and ssrA were also required for growth at low temperature (16°C), a phenotype not previously associated with tmRNA activity. These results extend the known high-temperature role of ssrA and indicate that the ribosome rescue system is important at both extremes of the B. subtilis temperature range.
Genetic Modification of Host Acceptance by a Seed Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

ABSTRACT Successful host shifts by herbivorous insects may require the modification of multiple larval and adult traits. The seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) rarely attacks lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), which is distantly related to its typical hosts. In a previous study, larval survival in lentil seeds increased from 85% in fewer than 20 generations of laboratory selection. However, lentil is also a poor oviposition host; lifetime fecundity on lentil was initially less than a third of that on the ancestral host [ mung bean, Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek ] and one fourth of females did not even recognize lentil as a potential host. This study examined the genetic lability of host acceptance. We performed both quasi-natural selection, in which replicate lines switched to lentil were compared with those remaining on mung bean, and artificial selection, in which lines were established using females from the base population that exhibited especially low or high accep...
Click fraud resistant methods for learning click-through rates

In pay-per-click online advertising systems like Google, Overture, or MSN, advertisers are charged for their ads only when a user clicks on the ad. While these systems have many advantages over other methods of selling online ads, they suffer from one major drawback. They are highly susceptible to a particular style of fraudulent attack called click fraud. Click fraud happens when an advertiser or service provider generates clicks on an ad with the sole intent of increasing the payment of the advertiser. Leaders in the pay-per-click marketplace have identified click fraud as the most significant threat to their business model. We demonstrate that a particular class of learning algorithms, called click-based algorithms, are resistant to click fraud in some sense. We focus on a simple situation in which there is just one ad slot, and show that fraudulent clicks can not increase the expected payment per impression by more than o(1) in a click-based algorithm. Conversely, we show that other common learning algorithms are vulnerable to fraudulent attacks.
Isolation and analysis of discreet human prostate cellular populations

The use of lineage tracing in transgenic mouse models has revealed an abundance of subcellular phenotypes responsible for maintaining prostate homeostasis. The ability to use fresh human tissues to examine the hypotheses generated by these mouse experiments has been greatly enhanced by technical advances in tissue processing, flow cytometry and cell culture. We describe in detail the optimization of protocols for each of these areas to facilitate research on solving human prostate diseases through the analysis of human tissue.
This is not a Manifesto: Archaeology and Feminism

Feminism is inescapably political, a qualification that generates ambivalence for archaeologists. Skeptics argue that integration compromises scientific objectivity. Advocates explain that political alignment engenders better practice in the present, while feminist perspectives deepen understanding of past social organizations. The contribution is not unidirectional for feminism is well served by archaeological evidence that calls notions about human nature into question, like the sexual division of labor. Despite paradigmatic changes, however, there are aspects of archaeology that resist transformation; demographic composition, acceptable research foci, and pedagogical emphases are discussed. In explanation, I explore the connection between truth and power. The presence of subtle and obvious sexisms in institutional settings, as well as the facility with which both are disappeared, provides entry for deliberation. Reflection makes transparent how violence—whether structural, symbolic, or interpersonal—may seem idiosyncratic but in fact is pervasive and exists collectively. Suggestions about destabilizing entrenched gender inequities are offered.
Prospective comparison of subtalar arthroereisis with lateral column lengthening for painful flatfeet.

We prospectively compared subtalar arthroereisis with lateral column calcaneal lengthening for the treatment of painful flatfeet. Twenty-four feet (mean age of patients 12.8 years) were treated. Kinematic motion analysis, pedobarometry, and radiography were performed, and the Oxford Ankle–Foot Quest
Maternal-Fetal Transfer of Cefazolin in the First Twenty Weeks of Pregnancy

Maternal-fetal transfer of cefazolin was investigated with use of a single 14-mg/kg intramuscular dose administered to 40 gravidas before elective hysterectomy. The half-life of cefazolin in maternal serum was 1.5 hr with mean concentrations at 2 and 4 hr of 39 and 16 microgram/ml, respectively. By microbiological assay, cefazolin was not detected in brain, cerebrospinal fluid, lung, liver, or kidney of the fetus but was present in concentrations of 1-11 microgram/ml in 12 of 27 individual samples of fetal serum from 0.75 to 10.66 hr. Cefazolin appeared in fetal urine from 2.17 to 19.5 hr at levels of less than 5 microgram/ml with a half-life of 5.4 hr. Cefazolin was present in the amniotic fluid of fetuses older than 14 weeks in concentrations of less than 1 microgram/ml from 9 to 21.75 hr. After administration of a single dose to the mother early in pregnancy, the fetal distribution of cefazolin is limited to the body fluids.
Faking on the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale

Effects of faking instructions on the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale were investigated for both male and female Ss. There were no sex differences but there was a significant difference due to instructions (p < .05). Ss instructed to respond as maladjusted obtained scores indicative of greater depression than did Ss given “fake good” or standard instructions. No significant differences were found between the latter instructions and no significant interaction between sex and instructions.
Slogans: An Historical Perspective on their Effects

The birth of the slogan dates back to the start of history itself. Today, the slogan remains visible in virtually every segment of society, attesting to its unique staying power. As much as the slogan has been able to influence people throughout the ages, however, very little research has been conducted on the topic. Of the substantive material that does exist, most focuses on slogans used by advertisers, with a few minor exceptions found in the political slogan area (e.g., Sherif, 1937), The purpose of this paper is to trace the empirical work which has been conducted in the area of advertising slogan effectiveness.
Design and Implementation of Condition Monitoring and Intelligent Fault Diagnosis System for Wind turbines

The technology of condition monitoring and intelligent fault diagnosis can effectively reduce the operation and maintenance costs of a wind turbine,as well as ensure its security and stability.This paper presents the basic structure of wind turbine and its common faults,especially the gearbox and generator failures.Then as for the gearbox and generator failures,a new intelligent diagnosis method is proposed.Furthermore the condition monitoring and intelligent fault diagnosis system is designed and developed for wind turbines,and its working principle,structure and performance are elaborated.
Research and analysis on interventions of AIDS health education for drug abusers in rehabilitation programme in Guangzhou City

Objective This study was made to take intervention measures of ADIS health education to the abusers under treatment in Guangzhou City and evaluate the efficacy.Methods A random cluster sampling method was employed to sample drug abusers in rehabilitation programme in Panyu District Drug Rehabilitation Center,Guangzhou City and to made AIDS health education and behavior intervention.Questionnaire interviews about related knowledge and high risk behaviors were conducted to the drug abusers in rehabilitation programme before and after intervention in order to do statistical analysis on both results.Results 284 and 238 abusers under treatment were surveyed respectively before and after intervention,there being a statistical significance in the awareness difference of ADIS and behaviors between two groups before and after intervention.As to safe intravenous drug abuse and method of using condoms,most of drug abusers believed that it was not right to abuse with needle-sharing only depending on appearances and social relationships.And knowledge about method of using condoms was also improved greatly.Conclusion It is very helpful to take measures,such as health education and behavior intervention,for abusers under treatment to increase their knowledge about prevention and control and deepen understand the knowledge about prevention and control of ADIS accurately and reduce their high risk behaviors and enhance the security awareness and security behaviors.
Evaluation of focal cerebral lesions. Role of electroencephalography in the era of computed tomography.

This article reviews the major electroencephalographic changes that occur with focal cerebral lesions, how they relate to CT findings, and the relevance of focal physiologic dysfunction in the absence of structural pathology. Although this article deals with conventional electroencephalographic techniques, newer developments such as topographic EEG mapping and magnetoencephalography suggest that the monitoring of spontaneous and evoked electrical brain activity will continue to play an important role in neurologic diagnosis.
Covariation of Finite-Amplitude Wave Activity and the Zonal-Mean Flow in the Midlatitude Troposphere. Part II: Eddy Forcing Spectra and the Periodic Behavior in the Southern Hemisphere Summer

AbstractPreviously, in Part I of this study, the authors used latitude-by-latitude budgets of the vertically integrated finite-amplitude wave activity (FAWA) to describe the covariation of the zonal-mean state and eddy amplitude. In the austral summer within 40°–55°S, FAWA exhibits a marked 20–30-day periodicity driven mainly by the low-level meridional eddy heat flux, consistent with the recently identified baroclinic annular mode (BAM).The present article examines the spectra of eddy heat flux that produce the periodic behavior in the Southern Hemisphere storm track. Analysis of the ERA-Interim product reveals that the 20–30-day periodicity in raw FAWA and eddy heat flux is particularly robust during the warm season. A dry GCM is shown to reproduce qualitatively BAM-like eddy heat flux spectra if the zonal-mean state resembles that of the austral summer and if the surface thermal damping is sufficiently strong. The observed eddy heat flux cospectra in summer contain a few dominant frequencies for each o...
Changes in Awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome in the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area: 2001–2002

This research reports the results from random probability surveys conducted in Bexar County, Texas during June 2001 and October 2002. Data were gathered as part of an evaluation of the Any Baby Can organization's efforts to push Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) into the center of the public's attention. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a term used to describe the constellation of signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking or shaking and impacting of the head of an infant or small child (The National Center for SBS 2003:2). Any Baby Can (ABC) started its SBS campaign in 1996 with a grant from Children's Trust Fund of Texas, an organization heavily involved in the prevention of child abuse. Survey results are mixed. On the one hand, findings suggest that groups, like Any Baby Can, can provide a valuable service to the community relative to SBS, evidenced by the very high percentage of respondents across all demographic categories that disagreed with the view that “a mild shaking of a child” is as an acceptable form...
Suppression of vortex-induced vibration of a circular cylinder using thermal effects

Transverse vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a cylinder with various body-to-fluid density ratio and stiffness is studied. The cylinder is elastically mounted and heated, and the flow direction is aligned with the direction of the thermal induced buoyancy force. Amplitude of VIV can be reduced as the thermal control parameter Richardson number (Ri) increases, or even be fully suppressed when Ri is above a critical value. This critical Richardson number depends on both body-to-fluid density and structural stiffness. A higher critical Richardson is required to fully suppress the VIV of a structure with smaller density ratio. With the same density or mass, a structure with intermediate stiffness vibrating in lock-in regime needs higher critical Ri to suppress VIV than either rigid or flexible structures. Drag experienced by the body is also studied. It is found that for a flexible body, drag gradually increases with the Richardson number. For a body with intermediate stiffness, both drag and amplitude of VIV...
An Exploratory Study of the Impact of Optical Illusion Garments on Women's Self-Perceptions

Although previous research provides insight into how women construct and idealize their appearance through clothing, the connection to the design elements of a garment is lacking. Using an exploratory approach, this study, theoretically grounded in the self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987), investigated women’s perceptions of their body shapes. The aim of this study was to explore these perceptions through garments created with optical illusion prints or patterns. The following research questions were explored: RQ1: How do optical illusion garments affect the visual perception of body shape? RQ1a: Does the effect of optical illusion garments vary depending on body shape (hourglass, rectangle, and spoon)? RQ2: Do optical illusion garments positively or negatively affect a woman’s perception of her body shape? RQ3: Do optical illusion garments aid the wearer in moving from their actual self toward their ideal self? RQ4: Do optical illusion garments increase a woman’s body satisfaction?
Obstructive sleep apnea in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy has been identified as an early manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Three patients with HIV disease were identified with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. In order to examine the relationship between HIV-induced adenotonsillar hypertrophy and OSA, 134 patients with asymptomatic HIV disease were screened with a self-administered sleep survey designed to detect OSA and excessive daytime somnolence. Patients meeting trigger score criteria were studied with overnight polysomnography and nine additional patients were identified with OSA. The only consistent risk factor for OSA in this young and primarily nonobese population was the presence of adenotonsillar hypertrophy, found in 11 of 12 patients with OSA. Three patients had tonsillar biopsy or tonsillectomy and all displayed benign follicular lymphoid hyperplasia. Scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were significantly higher for patients with OSA, indicating a greater degree of hypersomnolence (mean ESS scores: OSA+ = 11.4 +/- 3.6, OSA- = 7.8 +/- 4.6, p = 0.012). In our population, patients with HIV disease had a prevalence of OSA of 7%. HIV-induced adenotonsillar hypertrophy is a risk factor for the development of OSA. HIV patients with complaints of excessive daytime sleepiness and snoring who are found to have adenotonsillar hypertrophy on exam should undergo a sleep evaluation to rule out the presence of OSA.
Pose-Invariant Face Alignment via CNN-Based Dense 3D Model Fitting

Pose-invariant face alignment is a very challenging problem in computer vision, which is used as a prerequisite for many facial analysis tasks, e.g., face recognition, expression recognition, and 3D face reconstruction. Recently, there have been a few attempts to tackle this problem, but still more research is needed to achieve higher accuracy. In this paper, we propose a face alignment method that aligns an image with arbitrary poses, by combining the powerful cascaded CNN regressors, 3D Morphable Model (3DMM), and mirrorability constraint. The core of our proposed method is a novel 3DMM fitting algorithm, where the camera projection matrix parameters and 3D shape parameters are estimated by a cascade of CNN-based regressors. Furthermore, we impose the mirrorability constraint during the CNN learning by employing a novel loss function inside the siamese network. The dense 3D shape enables us to design pose-invariant appearance features for effective CNN learning. Extensive experiments are conducted on the challenging large-pose face databases (AFLW and AFW), with comparison to the state of the art.
Mass balance and pharmacokinetic (PK) study of zebularine (NSC 309132), a DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor, and three metabolites in mice

3097 Introduction The pyrimidine analogue zebularine (NSC 309132), an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferases, has been proposed for clinical evaluation. The zebularine PK has been characterized in various species, as was its in vitro metabolism by aldehyde oxidase (AO), but its in vivo metabolic fate has not been elucidated. We developed an assay for the simultaneous quantitation of zebularine and its potential metabolites: 2-pyrimidinone, uridine, uracil, and dihydrouracil, and then used that assay to characterize their concentrations in plasma of mice dosed iv with 2-[14C]-zebularine. Methods A hydrophilic interaction HPLC assay using radioactivity detection was developed and validated to quantitate 2-[14C]-zebularine and metabolites in the presence of their endogenous counterparts. Male, CD2F1 mice were dosed iv with 100 mg/kg 2-[14C]-zebularine (15 μCi/mg zebularine, ∼30 μCi per mouse). At specified times from 5 to 1440 min after dosing, 3 mice/time point were euthanized. Plasma, organs, carcass, urine, and feces were collected and assayed for total radioactivity. Plasma and urine were also analyzed by HPLC for zebularine and its metabolites. A similar experiment was performed with 2-[14C]-uridine, the proposed primary metabolite of zebularine. Results The validated assay was accurate and precise for the quantitation of zebularine, uridine, uracil, and dihydrouracil. The maximum plasma concentrations were 462, 306, 33.6, 21.7, and 11.5 μM for total radioactivity, zebularine, uridine, uracil (each at 5 min), and dihydrouracil (at 15 min) respectively. Total radioactivity, zebularine, uridine, uracil and dihydrouracil were rapidly eliminated from plasma, and none of these compounds analyzed by HPLC were observed after 45 min. Plasma data were consistent with the sequential conversion of zebularine to uridine, uracil, and dihydrouracil. 2-Pyrimidinone was not observed. Prolonged retention of radioactivity, at concentrations higher than in plasma, was observed in tissues. Recovery of the administered radioactivity in urine (38.2% of dose), feces (0.2% of dose), tissues and carcass (6.1% of dose) after 24 h implied that up to 55% of radioactivity was expired as 14CO2. Comparative PK analysis of metabolites in plasma and urine after zebularine and uridine administration, respectively, indicated that approximately 40% of the zebularine dose was converted to uridine. Conclusion Zebularine is extensively metabolized after iv administration, with the initial metabolism likely by AO. All observed metabolites of zebularine were endogenous substances (uridine, uracil, and dihydrouracil) that are unlikely to contribute to toxicity or activity at the concentrations observed in this study. Hydrogen peroxide generated during the conversion of zebularine to uridine may have toxicological relevance. Support: NO1-CM-52202, NCI
Strategic behaviors and governance challenges in social-ecological systems

Abstract The resource management and environmental policy literature focuses on devising regulations and incentive structures to achieve desirable goals. It often presumes the existence of public infrastructure that actualizes these incentives and regulations through a process loosely referred to as ‘governance.’ In many cases, it is not clear if and how such governance infrastructure can be created and supported. Here, we take a complex systems view in which ‘governance’ is an emergent phenomenon generated by interactions between social, economic, and environmental (both built and natural) factors. We present a framework and formal stylized model to explore under what circumstances stable governance structures may emerge endogenously in coupled infrastructure systems comprising shared natural, social, and built infrastructures of which social-ecological systems are specific examples. The model allows us to derive general conditions for a sustainable coupled infrastructure system in which critical infrastructure (e.g., canals) is provided by a governing entity that enables resource users (e.g., farmers) to produce outputs from natural infrastructure (e.g., water) to meet their needs while supporting the governing entity. Plain Language Summary To understand how successful and robust governance may arise in coupled infrastructure systems comprising shared natural, social, and built infrastructure, we develop a stylized model based on a widely used conceptual framework that focuses on robustness of social-ecological systems. Analysis of the model results in conditions for sustainability of such systems that are expressed as clear relationships between biophysical and social factors. The results lay groundwork for more rigorous studies of robustness and resilience of these complex systems.
Challenges of Sea-Ice Prediction for Arctic Marine Policy and Planning

Sea ice presents an important challenge for trans-border coordination of Arctic maritime infrastructure. Widespread summer sea-ice melt and anticipated expansion of shipping and offshore oil and ga...
Implementation of a Surface Electromyography-Based Upper Extremity Exoskeleton Controller Using Learning from Demonstration

Upper-extremity exoskeletons have demonstrated potential as augmentative, assistive, and rehabilitative devices. Typical control of upper-extremity exoskeletons have relied on switches, force/torque sensors, and surface electromyography (sEMG), but these systems are usually reactionary, and/or rely on entirely hand-tuned parameters. sEMG-based systems may be able to provide anticipatory control, since they interface directly with muscle signals, but typically require expert placement of sensors on muscle bodies. We present an implementation of an adaptive sEMG-based exoskeleton controller that learns a mapping between muscle activation and the desired system state during interaction with a user, generating a personalized sEMG feature classifier to allow for anticipatory control. This system is robust to novice placement of sEMG sensors, as well as subdermal muscle shifts. We validate this method with 18 subjects using a thumb exoskeleton to complete a book-placement task. This learning-from-demonstration system for exoskeleton control allows for very short training times, as well as the potential for improvement in intent recognition over time, and adaptation to physiological changes in the user, such as those due to fatigue.
Should students design or interact with models? Using the Bifocal Modelling Framework to investigate model construction in high school science

The Bifocal Modelling Framework (BMF) is an approach for science learning which links students’ physical experimentation with computer modelling in real time, focusing on the comparison of the two ...
A Cryocooled SQUID System with Minimal Clearance Between the Pick-up Coil and the Specimen

We have developed a SQUID system that have a clearance of about 3 mm between the pick-up coil and the specimen and is cooled by a Gifford-McMahon (GM)/Joule-Thomson (JT) cryocooler. Previous work showed that cryocooled SQUID systems, which do not require liquid helium, can successfully measure biomagnetic fields [1][2][3]. To eliminate the noise caused by the cryocooler, such systems either utilize digital filters or interrupt the cooler expansion operation during the measurements. In our new system, however, we reduced this noise by replacing the ferromagnetic materials of the cryocooler, and we measured magnetcardiogram (MCG) signals in real-time without the need for interrupting the cooler expansion operation.
The dusty progenitor star of the Type II supernova 2017eaw

We present pre-explosion photometry of the likely progenitor star of the Type II supernova (SN II) 2017eaw in NGC 6946. We use a Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image of SN 2017eaw to perform relative astrometry with HST and Spitzer Space Telescope (Spitzer) imaging, finding a single point source consistent with its position. We detect the progenitor star in $>$40 epochs of HST and Spitzer imaging covering 12.9 years to 43 days before discovery. While the progenitor luminosity was roughly constant for most of this period, there was a $\sim$20% increase in its $4.5~\mu$m luminosity over the final 3 years before explosion. We interpret the bright mid-infrared emission as a signature of circumstellar dust around the progenitor system. Using the pre-explosion photometry and assuming some circumstellar dust, we find the progenitor is most likely a red supergiant with $\log(L/L_{\odot}) = 4.9$ and $T = 3350$ K, obscured by a $>2\times10^{-5}~M_{\odot}$ dust shell with $R = 4000~R_{\odot}$ and $T = 960$ K. Comparing to single-star evolutionary tracks, we find that the progenitor star had an initial mass of $13~M_{\odot}$ and a mass-loss rate of $2\times10^{-7}~M_{\odot}~\text{yr}^{-1}$, consistent with the population of SN II progenitor stars.
Signal Transduction and Endocytosis of Rhizobia in the Host Cells

Root nodule organogenesis proceeds through many early morphological responses of the host to rhizobia invasion. These include deformation and curling of root hairs, formation of infection threads, de-differentiation of cortical cells, formation of nodule primodia and endocytosis of rhizobia. Recent advances in molecular techniques have allowed observations of early physiological and biochemical changes of the host accompanying the above morphological changes. This became possible by identification and purification of Nod factors. These factors have provided a new tool for studying nodule initiation, morphogenesis as well as signal recognition [1]. Nod factors are a group of lipo-oligosaccharide molecules that are secreted by rhizobia in response to signals from the host-plant and are active in nanomolar concentrations in inducing nodule-like structures on legume roots. One of the observations on early host responses has demonstrated that Nod factors induce a rapid depolarization of membrane potential in legume root hairs [2]. This depolarization response is specific because preparations from a Nod-rhizobium strain failed to induce this response and roots of non-legume plants did not respond to purified Nod factors. Since signal transduction in mammalian cells often couples with a membrane potential depolarization, these results suggest that the host responds to Nod factors by transducing a signal across the plasma membrane. Intracellular Ca++ levels increase rapidly following application of Nod factors (W. Broughton, personal communication), suggesting possible involvement of Ca++ ions in this process. Recent studies on expression of early nodulin genes using PCR methodology and promoter-reporter system have also provided new insights into early host responses. Expression of Enod5 and Enod12 is induced specifically after application of Nod factors 131. The promoter of Enod12 gene is activated in epidermal cells of the root hair zone by addition of Nod factors in nanomolar concentrations, demonstrating spatial distribution of host response [4]. However, it is not yet clear how Nod signal is transduced and initiates the nodule morphogenesis cascade [1].
Vitamin K and Cystic Fibrosis

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin required in the carboxylation and subsequent activation of clotting factors and bone proteins, including osteocalcin and glutamic acid protein. Those patients deficient in vitamin K are at risk for clotting disorders and decreased bone mineral density. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk of vitamin K deficiency because of an inability to absorb fat because of pancreatic insufficiency. Other possible causes of vitamin K deficiency in CF include liver disease, chronic antibiotic use, and possible bowel resection of those patients with a history of meconium ileus. The most sensitive diagnostic test for vitamin K deficiency is undercarboxylated osteocalcin. Plasma prothrombin in vitamin K absence II is also a sensitive marker of vitamin K deficiency. The measurement of prothrombin time is a less sensitive marker of vitamin K status because it is not elevated until more than 50% of vitamin K stores are depleted. Supplementation with 0.3–0.5 mg/day of vitamin K is recommended for patients with CF, although larger doses may be more effective in preventing insufficiency.
Be Your Own Superhero: A Case of a Young Boy With Selective Mutism and Complex Comorbidities:

This case study outlines the treatment of a 5-year-old Caucasian male who presented with symptoms of selective mutism (SM) along with significant impairment related to comorbid anxiety and speech d...
Abstract 5257: Prevalence and trends of obesity and metabolic syndrome among U.S. adults diagnosed with cancer, NHANES 1999-2014

Background: The prevalence of obesity and Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the general population has been documented extensively. While obesity and MetS are associated with cancer risk and may persist after diagnosis, the prevalence and the secular trends of obesity and MetS among cancer survivors has not been examined in a nationally representative cohort. Objective: To compare adults diagnosed with cancer and those without cancer on the prevalence of obesity and MetS in 2013-2014, and on the time trends over the past years from 1999 through 2014. Methods: A sample of 39,608 adults, aged 20+ who participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) surveys from 1999-2014 were included. Of those surveyed, 2,811 subjects had been diagnosed with non-skin cancers, and 1,770 with obesity-linked cancers (colorectal, liver, kidney, esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, gallbladder, breast, endometrial, ovarian and prostate). MetS was defined as having at least three of the following five factors: elevated levels of (1) triglyceride, (2) systolic or diastolic blood pressure, or use of anti-hypertensive medication, (3) blood glucose or self-reported diabetes or use of insulin, (4) enlarged waist circumference and (5) lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or use of cholesterol lowering medication. Results: In 2013-2014, the prevalence of obesity was 41.1%, 40.5% and 37.8% among adults diagnosed with obesity-linked cancers, total-cancer, and no cancer diagnosis, respectively. The prevalence of obesity have significantly increased over the last 16 years for all three groups. Relative to adults without a cancer diagnosis, the 16-year increase in obesity prevalence was significantly higher for those with obesity-linked cancers (p=0.019), but not with total cancer (p=0.35). In relation to MetS, the 2013-2014 prevalence was significantly higher among adults with obesity-linked cancers (52.7%) and total cancer (50.3%) compared to adults without cancer (29.2%). Over the 16-year period from 1999-2014, the prevalence of MetS has increased among adults with obesity-linked cancers (p=0.008), total cancer (p= Conclusion: U.S. adults diagnosed with obesity-linked cancers had a higher prevalence of obesity and MetS, and the prevalence have significantly increased over the last 16 years, compared to those without a cancer diagnosis. The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for clinicians and public health workers to recognize and address cardiometabolic health problems among cancer survivors. Citation Format: Wambui Grace Gathirua-Mwangi. Prevalence and trends of obesity and metabolic syndrome among U.S. adults diagnosed with cancer, NHANES 1999-2014 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5257.
Common genetic variants in the TP53 pathway and their impact on cancer

The TP53 gene is well known to be the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer. In addition to mutations, there are > 20 different coding region single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TP53 gene, as well as SNPs in MDM2, the negative regulator of p53. Several of these SNPs are known to alter p53 pathway function. This makes p53 rather unique among cancer-critical genes, e.g. the coding regions of other cancer-critical genes like Ha-Ras, RB, and PI3KCA do not have non-synonymous coding region SNPs that alter their function in cancer. The next frontier in p53 biology will consist of probing which of these coding region SNPs are moderately or strongly pathogenic and whether they influence cancer risk and the efficacy of cancer therapy. The challenge after that will consist of determining whether we can tailor chemotherapy to correct the defects for each of these variants. Here we review the SNPs in TP53 and MDM2 that show the most significant impact on cancer and other diseases. We also propose avenues for how this information can be used to better inform personalized medicine approaches to cancer and other diseases.
Corruption in the United States and China: codes of conduct vs. crackdowns

Previous research on China’s corruption and its continued, tolerated existence tended to focus on guanxi wang networks (informal gift-giving) and baohu san (protective “umbrellas” from enforcement). This article compares China with the United States and argues that enforcement results between the two countries are similar even though the mechanisms are distinct. Issues of system capacity and non-issue making explain the similar effects of these disparate methods (codes of conduct in the U.S. and anti-corruption crackdowns in China).
Local Structure of Amorphous (PbO)x[(B2O3)1-z(Al2O3)z]y(SiO2)y Dielectric Materials by Multinuclear Solid State NMR

Structural speciation of glasses in the systems PbO−B2O3−SiO2, PbO−B2O3−Al2O3−SiO2, and PbO−Al2O3−SiO2 were studied using solid state 29Si, 27Al, 11B, and 207Pb nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman spectroscopy. Application of these methods provided insight into the role of Al2O3 incorporation in the lead borosilicate glass networks. The general composition range studied was (PbO)x[(B2O3)1-z(Al2O3)z]y(SiO2)y where x = 0.35, 0.5, and 0.65, y = (1 − x)/2 and z = 0.0, 0.5, and 1.0. Additional insight was obtained via 27Al 2D-3QMAS experiments. The 207Pb spin−echo mapping spectra showed a transition from ionic (Pb2+) to covalently bound lead species with increased PbO contents in the borosilicate glasses. The addition of aluminum to the glass network further enhanced the lead species transition, resulting in a higher relative amount of covalent lead bonding in the high PbO content alumino-borosilicate glass. The number of BO4 units present in the 11B MAS NMR decreased with increasing PbO contents for bo...
1968 Is Not What It Used to Be

This article is part of the special cluster titled Generation ’68 in Poland (with a Czechoslovak Comparative Perspective).The article presents the chronology of the events of 1968 in Poland and rev...
Odor span task in dogs (Canis familiaris).

Working memory is essential for organisms to solve problems related to their survival and to adapt to changes in their environment. Researchers sought to create a non-human model of working memory that could be used to better understand its predictive value and underlying brain function. Several of these studies were conducted using the odor span task (OST) with rodents, and here, we present the first OST with domestic dogs (n = 6). The OST is an incrementing non-match-to-sample task in which dogs were presented with both a session novel (S +) and a previously encountered (S −) odor on each trial. A response to the session novel odor was always reinforced. Upon meeting training criterion on sessions with 24 trials or odors to remember, the dogs were tested on the OST with up to 72 odors to remember in the session. All dogs learned the OST and displayed accurate performance (≥ 79%) for the largest set size of 72 odors. In an analysis focused on the effect of intervening odors (i.e., the number of trials since the S − was last encountered), dogs demonstrated above-chance performance for up to eight intervening odors. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of dog working memory for odors.
Does Centrality Moderate the Relation Between Skin Tone Satisfaction and Psychological Adjustment for Latinx Blacks and Non-Latinx Blacks?

Few studies have examined the similarities and differences between individuals from across the African diaspora in terms of racial identity and skin tone and how these might influence psychological adjustment (i.e., depression, anxiety, and positive affect). We explored this question in a sample of 326 Latinx black and non-Latinx black participants from the Northeast. Due to different ethnic identities, and possibly socialization experiences, we hypothesized that Latinx blacks would report lower levels of skin tone satisfaction and black racial centrality compared to non-Latinx blacks. For the same reason, we also hypothesized that the relationship between skin tone satisfaction and adjustment would be moderated by racial centrality such that it would be more protective for non-Latinx blacks than Latinx blacks. As expected, Latinx blacks reported significantly lower skin tone satisfaction (despite perceiving themselves as lighter) and black centrality compared to non-Latinx blacks. Skin tone satisfaction, but not black centrality, emerged as a significant predictor of psychological adjustment for the combined sample. Importantly, findings also revealed that while centrality was a protective factor for non-Latinx blacks, it was less impactful for Latinx blacks and may have functioned as a vulnerability factor. This study represents an important first step in disentangling important group differences within the African diaspora that can help inform research and treatment.
“For Everyone” Means “For No One:”: Membership Tensions in Community Collaboration:

Prior research suggests that tensions are particularly salient in nonprofit and interorganizational contexts but rarely considers the impacts of managing these tensions. This manuscript applies a c...
Estimation of oral poliovirus vaccine effectiveness in Afghanistan, 2010-2020.

BACKGROUND Afghanistan is one of two countries with endemic wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1). The oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) is the predominant vaccine used for polio eradication. Although OPV has been administered in routine childhood immunization and during frequent supplementary immunization activities, WPV1 continues to circulate in Afghanistan and case incidence has been increasing since 2017. We estimated the effectiveness of OPV in Afghanistan during 2010-2020. METHODS We conducted a matched case-control analysis using acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance data from 29,370 children < 15 years with AFP onset between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2020. We matched children with confirmed WPV1 (cases) with children with non-polio AFP (controls) by age at onset of paralysis (+/- 3 months), date of onset of paralysis (+/- 3 months), and province of residence, and compared their reported OPV vaccination history to estimate the effectiveness of OPV in preventing paralysis by WPV1 using conditional logistic regression. To account for changes in OPV formulations provided over the analysis period, we stratified the analysis based on dates of the global switch from trivalent OPV (tOPV) to bivalent OPV (bOPV) in April 2016. RESULTS Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2020, there were 329 WPV1 cases in Afghanistan. The per-dose estimated effectiveness of OPV against WPV1 was 19% (95% CI: 15%-22%) and of ≥ 7 doses was 94% (95% CI: 90%-97%). Before the global switch from tOPV to bOPV, the per-dose estimated effectiveness of OPV was 14% (95% CI: 11%-18%) and of ≥ 7 doses was 92% (95% CI: 85%-96%). After the switch, the per-dose estimated effectiveness of OPV against WPV1 was 32% (24%-39%) and of ≥ 7 doses was 96% (95% CI: 90%-99%). DISCUSSION OPV is highly effective in preventing paralysis by WPV1; these results indicate that continued WPV1 transmission in Afghanistan is due to failure to vaccinate, not failure of the vaccine. Although difficult to implement in parts of country, improving the administration of OPV in routine immunization and supplementary immunization activities will be critical for achieving polio eradication in Afghanistan.
Color-space analytics for damage detection in 3D point clouds

Recent advances have enabled the use of modern remote sensing technologies to create high-resolution 3 D point clouds that capture the in-situ geometry of infrastructure systems. However, there is ...
Food Co-ops in America: Communities, Consumption, and Economic Democracy

Review of: "Food Co-ops in America: Communities, Consumption, and Economic Democracy" by Philip Nelson.
Rendering the implicit explicit: political advertisements, partisan cues, race, and white public opinion in the 2012 presidential election

In The Race Card (2001), Tali Mendelberg claims that once the racial content of an implicit racial appeal has been exposed the appeal loses its ability to mobilize voters. In this paper, we investigate this claim by employing a survey experiment embedded in Amazon's Mechanical Turk in which respondents view Mitt Romney's “Right Choice” television ad on welfare and then read a short op-ed. The op-ed, written by a fictitious member of Congress whose partisanship was systematically varied, argues that the Romney ad (1) is racist or (2) has no racial undertones. In line with Mendelberg's predictions, we find that – regardless of the partisanship of the elite in question – exposure to an op-ed that denounces the Romney welfare advertisement as racist leads white Democrats and Republicans to more strongly perceive the advertisement as racist and express greater opposition to Romney's campaign. Our findings contribute to the literatures on racial priming and partisan motivated reasoning, and also make a strong c...
Integral invariants of 3-manifolds. II

This note is a sequel to our earlier paper of the same title [4] and describes invariants of rational homology 3-spheres associated to acyclic orthogonal local systems. Our work is in the spirit of the Axelrod–Singer papers [1], generalizes some of their results, and furnishes a new setting for the purely topological implications of their work.
Optimization of surface acoustic wave induced birefringence in an InGaAs-GaAs acousto-optic modulator

A theoretical method to simulate the birefringence induced by asymmetric strain and electric field in multiple quantum well structures (MQWs) is presented. In the presence of surface acoustic waves (SAW), the strain-induced band mixing in MQWs results in refractive index changes as a function of the polarization of incidence beam normal to the quantum well plane. Band mixing is sensitive to the well structure and intrinsic strain in MQWs. In this paper, we investigate the influence of various parameters on the birefringence in the InGaAs-GaAs quantum wells, and optimize the design of our acoustic-optic modulator operating near 980 nm.
STRICT LOWER AND UPPER BOUNDS ON ITERATIVE COMPUTATIONAL COMPLEXITY

Publisher Summary In this chapter, a non-asymptotic theory of iterative computational complexity is constructed with strict lower and upper bounds. Complexity is a measure of cost. The relevant costs depend on the model under analysis. The costs can be taken as units of time, number of comparisons, size of storage, or number of arithmetics. A number of different costs can be relevant to a model. The complexity of an algorithm, of a class of algorithms, or of a problem can be analyzed. The subject dealing with the analysis of a class of algorithms or of a problem is called computational complexity. Computational complexity comes in many flavors depending on the class of algorithms, the problem, and the costs. There are three types of computational complexity. In each of these, the costs are taken as the arithmetic operations. Algebraic computational complexity deals with a problem and a class of algorithms that solve the problems at finite cost. The branch of complexity theory that deals with nonfinite cost problems analytic is called computational complexity.